How to Maintain Your Leather Sofa

Fabric sofas, genuine leather ones, 2 seater sofas, or 3 seater couches – there are several options when it comes to decorating the seating area in your living space. Whether looking for a sofa that caters to all your seating “needs” or buying a couch that has stylistic appeal, there is no denying that purchasing a new sofa can be a difficult feat given the extensiveness of styles, fabrics, and colours available. One way to ease the buying process would be to study the latest sofa trends that are known to make a statement. For example, bold statement pieces of bright colours, like oranges, tend to radiate a welcoming feeling that many have been drawn to recently since the lockdown. Tan leather in warm earthy shades is also making a comeback along with luxury sofas – think supremely comfortable velvet furniture pieces. Earthy velvets bring the world of eye-catching, rich velvets together with tones that breathe life and colour into the home subtly. Another sofa-type that has had mass appeal in the interior world for years on end, is genuine leather sofas. Possessing an enduring look and finish, leather sofas will make a good addition to your abode.

Types of Leather and Its Properties

There are two types of leather – unprotected and protected leather. The former, also known as aniline leather, is natural-looking, comfortable, and soft to the touch. Protected leather, on the other hand, is more durable because of its surface coating. However, protected or not, leather is known to be robust, low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting, and relatively easy to clean. The only concern you should have is the ability of your leather furniture to stand up against different conditions such as spills, stains, scratches, exposure to direct sunlight, and daily use.

How to Maintain Leather Sofa

Eyeing a timeless leather sofa, you spotted at a furniture shop in Singapore but not sure how to care for your leather upholstery later? Keeping your leather sofa in pristine condition is simple with the proper steps, especially if your leather furniture is of good quality. Here’s how you can maintain your leather furniture:

1. Clean it regularly

Although leather is a durable material, it is still vulnerable to staining. To remove any stains, be sure to avoid any DIY remedies. People tend to use ingredients like vinegar on their sofas assuming that it will clean off any dirt. But, the truth of the matter is that using such solutions can be too harsh on the upholstery of your sofa. Instead, use a soft cloth or brush to clean your sofa. If you need to use a damp cloth, test it on a small part of the leather before using it on the whole furniture piece. You can also use specialised cleaning products to treat and cleanse the leather sofa when necessary.

2. Condition it regularly

Since leather contains oils, it is important to replenish it often to keep your leather sofa feeling soft and luxurious to the touch. In this case, conditioning your leather sofa regularly helps prevent cracking caused by the natural material drying out.

3. Place it away from the light!

This might seem inevitable due to Singapore’s tropical climate, but exposure to UV rays or other heat sources will cause the leather to dry and crack as well. To avoid this, place your genuine leather sofas indoors and away from the windows.

4. Plump it frequently

Besides the quality of the leather itself, be sure to focus on the shape of the sofa. By plumping the sofa fibre filling, the shape of the sofa is maintained. Say goodbye to sinking into sagging couches and slow down the process at which your coach wears down.

5. Purchasing from a reliable distributor

This might be a given but purchasing good quality leather sofas from reliable distributors like Loft Home from the get-go will save you lots of time and money in the future. When buying from furniture shops in Singapore that carry top-notch high-grade leather sofas or shopping for sofas online, be sure to check on warranties and return policies too.

Draw Inspiration from these Korean Apartment Interior Designs

Did you know that there are now over 40 original K-dramas on Netflix? Be it the popularity of K-beauty products or the ever-growing fanbase for K-pop bands, whatever the reason, K-pop is now a global phenomenon. Today, the Korean culture has not only seeped into our daily lives but also influences home interior design in Singapore.

The Low-Down on Korean Interior Design

When it comes to interior design in Singapore and Korea, there is one thing in common – working with space limitations. Given the rise and space constraints, many take on a minimalistic approach – traces of which can even be seen in your favourite Korean drama sets. Serving some serious interior design style inspiration, we look at some of the most awe-inspiring Korean house setting interiors for some design lessons.

1. Guardian: The Lonely & Great God

Set in a space with unparalleled decorative elements that spell class and heirloom chic, the interior, is surprisingly simplistic. The vast space is almost void of furniture, complementing the mysterious aesthetic of the plot. Perfecting the balance of materials like wood, glass, metals, and leather, a dark sense of whimsicality radiates throughout the bright and open house with its vintage furniture, brick walls, and heavy chandeliers.

How to Get the Look

Fancy lights, subdued walls, marble floors, and rich mahogany tables – these will set the foundation of your living room. To add a refreshing mid-century twist, throw in vintage sofas like the Graphite Linen. Mix and match style couches like the Cowboy, is also a great way to be quirky and modern at the same time. Throw in wooden accents where possible, because let’s be honest, wood furniture is timeless and exudes elegance regardless of your existing interior design scheme.

In your bedrooms, focus on using metals and woods. Opt for moody colours like greys and blues and inject reflective details with iron beds and large eclectic mirrors like our Fir framed wall mirror or Entablature. Add a few fancy lights, art pieces, and antiques for some character, and you’re all set!

2. Crash Landing on You

Set in a modern-day penthouse in South Korea, the lead actresses’ home looks almost like a greenhouse. Tropical inspired with pops of colour, and generous play on geometry and eclecticism, this colourful space that is enclosed in glass is juxtaposed by dark wood walls.

How to Get the Look

If Yoon Se-Ri’s home is one of your dreams, go all out with a large boldly coloured, and structured sofa. Modern furniture pieces like the luxury Martin sofa, are a great way of replicating the restricted maximalism we see in this K-drama. At LoftHome, you can even customise your sofas to match the punchy hues of oranges and vibrant yellows we see in the series! Alternatively, elevate the visual appeal of your home design by experimenting with texture and throwing trendy cushions for a pop of colour.

3. The World of the Married

Full of betrayals, revenge, and devilish plots, it might seem contradictory that the home of Dr. Ji is the epitome of modern sophistication. Reflecting the apparent “perfect” family picture, her home is sleek, organised, and squeaky clean. Thriving on minimalism, solid hues paint the entire home, creating a warm atmosphere.

How to Get the Look

The secret is to keep the space relatively plain with a tasteful amount of texture interwoven into the home design. A sense of continuity is created with the use of similar materials in both the kitchen, dining, and living space in this open concept home. From marble top dining tables to classic white leather L-shape sofa, consistency is key when imitating this Korean home interior design.

Lexi Bed Frame

In the bedrooms, neutral tones should be your go-to. The Lexi bed frame is almost identical to Dr. Ji’s! Add in the Gina TV console and the contemporary Ivan side table by your bedside, and Voila!

Not sure where to buy furniture in Singapore that will help you live your ultimate K-drama life? At LoftHome, we house a range of modern furniture. Schedule a 1-on-1 visit and share your Korean apartment interior design ideas with our experts and get a glimpse of our customised sofas and marble tables suitable for your home in Singapore.

Adapting Your Home Office to the New Normal

MARTIN | Study Desk

It has been almost a year since the pandemic shook the world. From full-blown lockdowns to the normalisation of home-based learning and remote work, the New Normal is something many are still trying hard to adapt to. In November of 2020, it was estimated that about 55% of global businesses [V-FPD1] offered their employees some leeway to work from home. The result of this? A 15% increase in overall productivity.

Home Office Ideas While Your Work from Home

Since we’ve just ushered in the New Year and many of us are still working from home as we enter Phase 3, it is about time we looked into innovative ways to revamp our home offices to help boost our productivity while we continue to hustle hard. A well-designed study or workspace will undoubtedly inspire creativity and productivity. However, most of us do not have the luxury of space since homes in Singapore are small. Considering the space constraints, we have put together a list of home office and study room ideas that you can gain inspiration from for your next home renovation project.

General Home Office Ideas

If you are looking to get your creative juices flowing, then for starters, you’ll have to let go of conventional design ideas and rules before redoing your office space. Something worth considering, is the fact that study room furniture can also be used in your home office. Consider doing the following too:

1. Choose your colours wisely

Ever heard of colour therapy? As a matter of fact, many leverage it for psychological benefits. To set a calming environment that puts you at ease while at work, go for light colours like pastels. Paint your walls blue, green, or purple so that the calming energy radiates throughout your workspace. To inspire creativity, go for bright and bold colours like yellow or boost productivity with blues that enhance decision-making processes.

2. Maximise Your Space

MYSTEEL | Study Table

As mentioned, space is limited in most homes in Singapore. Because of this, most bedrooms are sectioned off to have a study area. If you are in the same position, opt for multi-functional pieces that have hidden storage space. Also make use of your vertical space and install wall shelves. This way, you can free up some floor space for more essential furniture pieces.

3. Get Creative with Art Pieces

Did you know that art enhances brain function and well-being? Choose decorative images that fill the office space with liveliness so that a broad spectrum of your neural system, from your motor skills to creativity, is activated.

4. Light the Space Up

We all know how important lighting is in any space. Similarly, in your study room or workspace, ensure that it is well lit. Place a table lamp on your study desk so that there is sufficient light should you decide to work or study overtime.

Key Home Office Elements

Now that you are well aware of the many things to consider when attempting to transform your home office into a productive space, there is one thing left to do – fill the room with the necessary furniture! There are a few furniture must-haves. These include the study table, cabinets and shelves, and a proper chair that offers optimal support.

1. Study Desk

SLOPE | Study Desk

There are classic wooden study tables to consider, like the SLOPE, which will fit in nicely into any corner of your room. If there is a lack of space, multifunctional vintage study tables like IVAN which come with a sleek storage space covered in glass is a practical choice.

2. Chair

Chairs that provide the proper support is pivotal in boosting productivity – think ergonomic chairs like the NEO. From providing posture support, helping with back pain, reducing neck pain, relieving hip posture, improving blood circulation, and boosting productivity – the list of benefits associated with ergonomic chairs is endless.

3. Display Shelves

Depending on your room interior design scheme, you can go for something industrial like the expanded wire wall shelf, or rustic like the CLIMBER. If you are all for minimalism, the Mysteel is a great choice.