Furniture Care Guide: Protect Your Home from Winter Wear
Discover how to choose the perfect sofa for your living room at Reynolds Furniture
As the temperatures drop and the nights draw in, our homes become sanctuaries of warmth and comfort. Yet, winter also brings challenges for the furniture we rely on most. Central heating, moisture, and heavier use during the festive season can take their toll. The good news? With the right care and a few simple habits, you can keep your furniture in top condition throughout the season.
At Reynolds Furniture, we believe beautiful homes deserve lasting comfort. Here are our best tips for protecting your furniture from winter wear and keeping your home looking its best.
Understanding how winter affects the home
The shift from warm outdoor air to heated indoor spaces can have a surprising impact on materials. Wood responds to changes in moisture, upholstery picks up more daily use, and leather can lose softness if exposed to too much heat. Even flooring begins to feel the effects of muddy shoes, wet weather, and heavier foot traffic.
Not everything needs an immediate fix. Much of winter care is about prevention and gentle habits that make your furniture last longer.
Keeping wooden furniture stable in changing temperatures
Wood reacts naturally to its environment, which is part of its charm. During winter, though, the air at home becomes drier. You might notice small gaps between boards on a table or hairline cracks in side panels. These are signs the timber is adjusting.
A few practical adjustments can help:
- Avoid placing wooden furniture directly beside radiators. Try and leave a 30cm distance between your furniture and heat sources.
- Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth to prevent surface build-up.
- Use a beeswax-based polish once or twice over the season.
Oak and walnut pieces such as the Ercol Bosco Dining Table and Ercol Romana Sideboard benefit particularly from these small routines. If you prefer a deeper clean, lightly dampen a cloth and follow with a dry one immediately to avoid moisture settling into the grain.
Sofas, chairs, and everyday winter comfort
Winter living tends to gather around the sofa. Blankets, hot drinks, pets, children, extra guests, and more evenings at home mean fabrics experience more friction and weight.
You do not need a complicated care routine to keep upholstery looking good. Instead, try:
- Rotating cushions so they wear evenly.
- Gently brushing fabric to revive flattened fibres.
Models such as the Parker Knoll Manhattan Sofa or the G Plan Kingsbury Recliner respond well to this kind of light, consistent care. If a spill happens, blot rather than scrub, then let the fabric air dry naturally.
Strong detergents can cause long-term damage, so always start with the mildest method first.
Leather furniture and how to protect its natural softness
Leather behaves differently from fabric. In warm, dry winter rooms, it can lose its natural oils more quickly. This is why small cracks sometimes appear even when a piece has been well cared for.
A simple winter routine can prevent this:
- Wipe with a clean, dry cloth weekly.
- Apply a leather conditioner every couple of months.
- Keep leather seating away from direct heat.
Reynolds stocks dedicated Leather Care Kits that are suitable for designs such as the Stressless Mayfair Recliner. These products help maintain softness and colour and offer an easy way to keep leather nourished through the coldest months.
Flooring, rugs, and the unnoticed wear of winter
Floors carry the weight of the season. Wet shoes, grit from outside, and heavier movement around the home all add up. Rugs soften this impact and also add insulation, making rooms feel more inviting.
A few simple habits help protect both rugs and flooring:
- Place absorbent mats at entrances.
- Use felt pads beneath furniture legs.
- Rotate rugs to prevent uneven fading.
With heavier pieces such as the Ercol Teramo Extending Dining Table, felt protectors can prevent dents or scratches, especially on wooden floors.
Small seasonal changes that make a big difference
Winter is the perfect time to refresh the atmosphere of your home. Texture plays an important role. A deep throw over an Ercol Enna Recliner Chair, a thicker rug beneath the coffee table, or new scatter cushions can completely change how a room feels.
Lighting matters, too. Switching to warm-toned bulbs or adding soft lamp light can reduce the harsh contrast of winter daylight.
These touches are not just decorative. Softer fabrics and layered lighting help reduce wear by distributing how and where your furniture is used.
Visit Reynolds this winter
Whether you want to revive much-loved furniture or protect new pieces, our team at Reynolds Furniture can guide you through the best options for your home. Visit our Bognor Regis showroom to explore care products, leather treatment kits, and high-quality furniture built to last.
Caring for furniture in winter does not have to be complicated. A handful of thoughtful habits can make all the difference. With good care and the right products, your furniture will stay comfortable, beautiful, and ready to enjoy for many winters ahead.
- 19th December 2025
