If you need extra storage and want a bed that ages with character, a genuine leather storage bed is the stronger long term choice. If you want an easy care, consistent finish with a wide choice of colours and storage designs, a faux leather bed often makes more sense, particularly in busy homes with children or pets. The two are not mutually exclusive, as many storage beds are available in both materials, so it helps to decide the material and the storage type separately.
Our leather beds UK sale include real and faux leather frames with drawers, ottoman bases and plain platforms. The comparison below should help you narrow down which combination suits your bedroom.
Genuine leather is made from animal hide that has been tanned and finished. Most beds use corrected or coated grain leather, which has a protective surface layer that resists stains and gives a uniform colour. Higher grades show more of the natural grain and develop a softer, richer patina over time.
Faux leather, sometimes called synthetic or PU leather, is a fabric backing coated with a polyurethane or vinyl layer that is embossed to resemble leather grain. Quality varies considerably. Good faux leather is soft, flexible and convincingly textured, while thinner versions can feel stiff and may crack with age.
Both materials are widely used across modern bedroom furniture UK ranges, and both can look smart and contemporary.
Real leather has subtle variations in grain and tone that give it depth. It feels warm and supple, and it softens with use. Faux leather has a more uniform appearance, which some people prefer for a clean, modern look. It can feel slightly cooler and smoother to the touch.
Genuine leather develops a patina, gradually darkening and softening in areas that are touched often. Many people see this as part of its appeal. Faux leather tends to look much the same for years, but lower grades can eventually peel or crack, especially along seams and edges.
Both materials stand up well to normal bedroom use. Real leather resists punctures and tears and can be repaired or recoloured if damaged. Faux leather resists fading and staining well, but deep scratches or tears are harder to repair invisibly.
Faux leather is very easy to clean. Most marks wipe away with a damp cloth and a little mild soap. Real leather also wipes clean, but it benefits from a dedicated leather cleaner and an occasional conditioner to keep it supple. Avoid soaking either material.
Real leather can dry out and fade if it sits in strong sunlight or beside a radiator for long periods. Faux leather resists fading well but can become brittle in constant heat. In both cases, keep the bed a little away from radiators and use blinds in very sunny rooms.
Faux leather is often favoured in family homes because it wipes clean easily and its uniform colour hides small marks well. Real leather shows scratches more readily, although many people find they blend into the patina over time. Neither material is entirely pet proof, so trimming claws and using a throw at the foot of the bed help either way.
Both materials have a smooth surface that does not trap dust in the way some fabrics can, which may appeal to people sensitive to dust mites.
Once you have a sense of the material you prefer, think about how much you need to store and how your room is laid out.
The platform lifts on gas struts to reveal a storage well running beneath the whole mattress. This offers the largest capacity of any design, which is useful for bulky items such as spare duvets, pillows and suitcases. You need space at the foot or side of the bed to lift it and reach in.
Two drawers, usually one on each side or both on one side, provide easy access to everyday items such as folded clothes or bedding. They need clearance alongside the bed to pull out fully, typically 50 to 60cm.
Drawers on both sides of the bed, often two per side, offer more capacity than a two drawer design and split storage between partners. They require clearance on both sides.
Some beds have drawers at the foot end, which suits narrow rooms where the sides of the bed are close to walls or furniture.
A few frames combine drawers with an ottoman lift or a built in TV, which maximises usefulness in compact bedrooms.
If the room has a wardrobe and chest of drawers already, an ottoman base for bulky items is often enough. If clothes storage is limited, drawers are more convenient for daily use. For overflow, our range of clothes storage UK sale pieces includes rails, organisers and compact units.
Look for a solid timber or engineered wood frame with a strong centre rail and supporting legs. Storage beds carry extra weight, so construction matters more than it does with an open frame.
Drawers should run smoothly on metal runners or castors. Check whether they are fully enclosed, which keeps dust out.
For ottoman beds, check that the struts are suitable for your mattress weight. Some manufacturers supply different strut strengths.
Whether real or faux, the leather should be neatly stitched with even, tight seams. Check corners and edges carefully, as these take the most wear.
Storage beds use either slatted platforms or solid boards. Slats provide better ventilation for the mattress, which helps prevent damp.
Real leather: dust weekly with a soft dry cloth, clean spills promptly with a slightly damp cloth, and apply a leather conditioner every three to six months. Test products on a hidden area first.
Faux leather: wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry. Avoid solvents, bleach and abrasive cleaners, which can damage the coating. A light conditioner made for synthetic leather helps keep it flexible.
It helps to picture an ordinary week with the bed in your room. If you tend to sit on the edge of the bed to put on shoes, read or fold laundry, the side rails and corners will take the most wear. Real leather copes well with this kind of use and gradually softens where it is touched most. Good faux leather also handles it well, though cheaper coatings can show creasing along the edges over time.
Think about how often you will reach into the storage. Drawers suit things you use every few days, such as gym kit, spare towels or folded jumpers, because you can open them without disturbing the bed. An ottoman base suits items you need less often, such as winter duvets, guest bedding and travel cases, since lifting the platform is quick but less convenient for daily access.
Temperature can also make a difference. Some people notice that leather feels cool to the touch first thing on a winter morning, though the effect is mostly limited to the headboard and frame, since the mattress and bedding sit between you and the base. A throw at the foot of the bed and a padded headboard cushion soften this easily.
Finally, consider how long you expect to stay in your current home. If you are likely to move, look for a frame that dismantles cleanly and a storage design that will suit a different room layout. A foot lifting ottoman is often the most adaptable, as it works whether the next bedroom is wide, narrow or awkwardly shaped.
If neither leather option feels right, fabric storage beds offer a softer, more tactile alternative. Our modern fabric beds UK include velvet, linen effect and woven finishes with the same storage designs. Fabric feels warmer and more relaxed, though it can be harder to clean than leather.
Think about who uses the room, how often you need to access stored items and how long you expect to keep the bed. Real leather suits those who value natural materials and gradual ageing. Faux leather suits those who prefer easy care and consistency. Pick the storage design based on your room layout rather than capacity alone.
If your bed will replace some of your drawer space, our guide to chests of drawers for UK bedrooms explains how to plan the rest of your storage.
You can browse real and faux leather storage beds alongside our full bedroom collections at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Lower grade faux leather can crack after years of use, especially near heat. Good quality versions with a flexible coating last well with simple care.
Not much. It wipes clean easily, but it benefits from an occasional conditioner to keep it supple.
Ottoman beds generally offer the largest storage space, as the whole area beneath the mattress is usable.
Solid boards can reduce airflow. Choose a slatted platform and air the bedding regularly to help prevent damp.
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