The Best Buttoned Leather Beds for Penthouse Bedrooms

For a penthouse bedroom, the most successful buttoned leather beds have a tall headboard with deep, evenly spaced tufting, a king size or super king base, and leather in a colour that holds its own against big windows and city light. Height and scale matter most. A headboard that rises well above the pillows anchors the bed against a wide wall, while the shadows created by deep buttoning add texture that flat panels simply cannot.

Our modern leather beds UK include buttoned designs in a range of heights and finishes, so this guide focuses on how to match the style, size and colour of the bed to the particular demands of a top floor apartment.

What Makes a Penthouse Bedroom Different

Penthouse and top floor apartments tend to share a few features that affect how furniture looks. Ceilings are often taller than in standard flats, or they may slope and step where the roof meets the walls. Glazing is usually generous, sometimes running from floor to ceiling along one side of the room. And there is often a view that draws the eye straight out of the window.

All of this means that a modest bed can look lost. A low, plain frame may be comfortable, but against a long run of glass it can feel temporary, as though the room is waiting for its main piece of furniture. A buttoned leather bed adds the mass, detail and sense of permanence that a bedroom of this kind needs, and it gives you a clear starting point for choosing the rest of your bedroom furniture UK sale pieces.

Choosing a Buttoning Style

Buttoning, sometimes called tufting, is created by pulling the leather down at fixed points and securing it with a covered button. The pattern and depth of the buttons change the character of the bed considerably.

Deep Chesterfield buttoning

This is the most traditional style, with diamond shaped pleats radiating between deeply set buttons. It looks rich and tactile, and in a modern apartment it creates an appealing contrast with sleek glazing and plain walls. It suits darker leathers especially well, because the shadows in each pleat give the colour more depth.

Shallow diamond buttoning

A gentler version of the same pattern, with less pronounced folds. It feels more contemporary and slightly quieter, which works well if the rest of the room is minimal.

Linear or grid buttoning

Buttons arranged in straight rows or a simple grid give a tailored, architectural finish. This style sits comfortably in apartments with strong geometric lines, such as exposed steel window frames or panelled walls.

Crystal or metallic buttons

Some headboards use diamanté or polished metal buttons instead of covered ones. These catch the light and add a touch of glamour. In a penthouse with a lot of reflective surfaces they can look spectacular, though they tend to suit a bolder decorating style and are best balanced with simple bedding.

Getting the Headboard Height Right

Headboard height is where penthouse bedrooms differ most from ordinary ones. In a room with a standard ceiling, a headboard of around 100 to 120cm looks balanced. In a room with a ceiling of 2.7 metres or more, a taller headboard of 130 to 160cm often looks more comfortable, filling more of the wall and giving the bed a stronger outline.

Check the position of windows and sloping ceilings before you choose. A tall headboard should sit clear of window sills and should not touch a sloping ceiling, as that makes the room feel cramped. If the only suitable wall has a low slope, a wide headboard with a moderate height can deliver the same presence without crowding the roofline.

Wingback headboards, which curve forward at the sides, are worth considering in open plan or very bright rooms. They create a sense of enclosure around the pillows, which many people find restful, and they help to block light from side windows.

Which Bed Size Suits a Penthouse?

Most penthouse bedrooms can comfortably take a king size bed, and many will suit a super king. As a guide, UK king size mattresses measure 150 by 200cm and super kings measure 180 by 200cm. Buttoned leather frames, particularly those with thick upholstered sides and a tall headboard, can add 15 to 25cm to the width and length.

Allow at least 70cm of clear floor space on each side of the bed and at the foot where possible. In larger rooms, a little more space around the bed makes it feel more generous and gives room for a bedroom bench or a pair of chairs. Measure the room with the bed’s full external dimensions rather than the mattress size, and mark the outline on the floor with masking tape if you are unsure how it will feel.

Remember access too. Penthouses are often reached by lift or by a final flight of stairs, and some have narrow landings. Most leather beds arrive flat packed with the headboard as a separate piece, but measure the lift, stairwell and door openings against the headboard dimensions before ordering.

Leather Colours for Top Floor Light

Large windows bring in plenty of light, and that light changes throughout the day. Colour choice should take this into account.

• Cognac and tan: Warm and inviting, these shades glow in evening light and soften the hard edges of glass and concrete. They suit apartments with timber floors or warm metal fittings.
• Chocolate and dark brown: Rich and classic, with a club like feel. Deep buttoning looks particularly good in these tones.
• Black: Crisp and dramatic. A black buttoned bed against a pale wall makes a strong graphic statement, and it holds up well against a busy city view.
• Cream and ivory: Elegant and calm, these work well in bright rooms with white or stone walls. They show marks more readily, so they suit adults only households.
• Grey: A versatile middle ground that sits easily with both warm and cool schemes.

Direct sunlight can fade and dry leather over time, which is a real consideration in top floor rooms. Position the bed out of the strongest afternoon sun if possible, and use blinds or sheer curtains during the brightest part of the day. Conditioning the leather every few months also helps to keep it supple.

Think about the colours of the city outside, too. A view of red brick and green parks suits warm leathers, while a skyline of glass and steel often looks best alongside black, grey or cream.

Completing the Room

A buttoned leather bed sets a tone of tailored comfort, and the rest of the room should support it without competing. Bedside cabinets, chests and wardrobes in walnut, gloss or mirrored finishes all pair well with leather.

Seating

Penthouse bedrooms often have space for a seating area by the window, and this is where the room can really feel like a retreat. One or two upholstered chairs from our modern bedroom chairs UK collection, angled towards the view with a small side table between them, create a place to read or have morning coffee. Choose chairs in a contrasting fabric, such as velvet or bouclé, rather than matching leather, so the bed remains the focal point.

Dressing area

A dressing table placed near natural light is both practical and attractive. Mirrored or high gloss designs from our modern dressing tables UK sale reflect daylight across the room, while a wooden dressing table brings warmth that sits well with brown and tan leather.

Lighting

Plan lighting in layers. Wall lights or tall table lamps either side of the bed provide reading light at the right height for a tall headboard. A statement pendant or chandelier can sit above the foot of the bed in rooms with higher ceilings. Dimmable fittings make it easier to shift from bright daytime light to a softer evening glow.

Bedding

Keep bedding relatively simple so the buttoning stays visible. Crisp white cotton, soft grey linen or a neutral sateen set works well, finished with a throw in a colour drawn from the leather. Avoid piling too many cushions against the headboard, as they hide the detail you have chosen the bed for.

Looking After Buttoned Leather

Buttoned headboards need a little more care than flat panels, because dust settles into the folds and around each button. Run a soft brush attachment on a vacuum over the headboard every couple of weeks, then wipe with a barely damp cloth if needed. Use a dedicated leather cleaner and conditioner a few times a year, testing it on a hidden area first.

Check the headboard fixings from time to time, especially on taller designs. A tall, heavy headboard puts more leverage on its bolts, and keeping them tight prevents movement and creaking.

Final Thoughts

A penthouse bedroom deserves a bed with real character, and a buttoned leather frame offers presence, texture and comfort in equal measure. Match the headboard height to the ceiling, choose a size that leaves generous space around the bed, and pick a leather colour that suits the way light moves through the room. Our guide to UK king size bed dimensions and room sizes explains frame and clearance measurements in more detail, and our look at bedroom furniture colour trends in the UK covers leather tones from pale neutrals to deep shades.

Our full range of beds and bedroom furniture is available at Furniture in Fashion.

FAQ

Are buttoned leather beds hard to clean?

They need slightly more attention than plain headboards because dust gathers around the buttons. A soft brush attachment and occasional leather conditioner keep them looking good.

Can a buttoned bed look modern?

Yes. Linear or shallow diamond buttoning, a slim base and a contemporary colour such as grey or black give a tailored look that suits modern apartments.

What size headboard suits a high ceiling?

In rooms with ceilings of around 2.7 metres or higher, a headboard of 130 to 160cm usually looks balanced. Keep it clear of window sills and sloping ceilings.

Will sunlight damage a leather bed?

Strong, direct sunlight can fade and dry leather over time. Position the bed away from the brightest windows where possible, use blinds and condition the leather regularly.