Cleaning & Care
Leather Cleaning & Care
- If possible, avoid prolonged direct exposure to sunlight. Do not expose the leather to direct sunlight, as this can cause it to fade or dry out. The leather is UV-resistant, but minimizing exposure to sunlight will help it last longer.
- Use a damp cloth to clean the leather. If the leather is dirty, use a slightly damp, soft cloth to gently wipe away the dirt. Make sure the cloth isn't too wet, so as not to damage the leather.
- Use leather cleaners and conditioners: Specialized leather cleaners and conditioners help keep the leather supple and clean. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Feel free to contact us for recommendations.
- Avoid sharp objects: Our leather isn't very delicate, but it's still a good idea to make sure that, for example, broken jeans studs don't scratch the leather.
- Temperature and Humidity: If possible, keep furniture made of genuine leather away from heaters or other heat sources. Extreme temperatures can damage the leather. Maintaining an appropriate level of humidity is also important to prevent cracking.
Cleaning & Care of Fabrics
- Upholstered furniture attracts dust and dirt, so it's a good idea to vacuum it regularly to remove dust and hair.
- Stains should be treated as soon as possible. Use special upholstery cleaners or mild soap solutions. Test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area first to avoid discoloration.
- If possible, start by gently dabbing the stain. Wiping or rubbing it can cause the stain to set deeper into the fabric.
- All of our fabrics are UV-resistant, but they may fade or fray over time due to sun exposure. If possible, position your furniture so that it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Feel free to contact us for more information about UV resistance.
- Avoid placing the furniture in an environment that is too damp to prevent mold growth.
Repairs & Replacement Parts
Replacement Parts
It's frustrating when something breaks or gets lost. But as a rule, you can get replacement parts for all our products, so you don't have to buy a new piece of furniture. Just send us a message via chat, give us a call, or send an email to support@sternzeit-design.de , we’ll help you as quickly and easily as possible.
Repairs
Is a replacement part not enough? Did your cat tear up the upholstery, your dog chew on the armchair leg, or your Kids use Kids sofa as a trampoline? Don’t worry—we’ll always try to help you with repairs whenever it makes sense for you, your wallet, and the environment. We want to conserve resources and spare your stress, and we try to find solutions for everything. For example, you can send us your armchair frame and we’ll reupholster it. Just contact us via chat, by phone, or by email at support@sternzeit-design.de
Additional Questions
What exactly is Piping?
Piping the term used to describe a cord enclosed in a fabric band. It is used to decorate or enhance the edge seams of upholstered furniture or cushions, while also reinforcing them and making them more durable. Creating Piping a significant amount of additional manual labor. The creation of different patterns and the way the piping runs along the “upholstery edge” results in a different overall appearance than that of a piece of furniture without Piping. The edges appear more harmonious, which is particularly evident at the corners, which look Piping thanks to the Piping . Ultimately, it is mainly a matter of personal taste whether one Piping the harmonious, classic look with Piping the more minimalist, understated look without Piping .
What is the upholstery construction of your furniture?
Below, we describe our standard padding construction, which may vary depending on the product:
Depending on the model, our wooden or multilayer wood frames are clamped, mortised and tenoned, screwed, and glued. Afterward, a metal coil spring system and/or an upholstered belt unit is typically installed. On top of this is a suitable PUR foam with a density of 27.5 kg/m³ to 35.0 kg/m³. The density naturally varies depending on the application (seat cushion or backrest cushion). Finally, a layer of upholstery fleece is applied before the final cover is fitted. What is PUR foam and what is it used for? Depending on the production process, PUR foams—or polyurethane foams—offer a very wide range of applications. To produce this versatile foam, polyol and isocyanate are foamed with carbon dioxide, allowing them to be manufactured in a wide variety of consistencies. Thus, PUR foams of a specific formulation and corresponding consistency can be used in the construction trade as assembly foam, adhesive, or varnish, while foams of a different consistency are used for the production of shoe soles, hoses, bandages, or packaging materials. Of course, PUR foam is also used in the manufacture of mattresses. Due to its open-cell structure, PUR foam is highly breathable. Furthermore, PUR foam is highly elastic and dimensionally stable. PUR foam can be manufactured with a specific compression hardness and, due to its unique properties, is just as suitable for mattress production as it is for use in seat cushions or sofas. Thanks to its unique structure, the breathable PUR foam ensures optimal dissipation of body heat and moisture. It offers the body optimal point elasticity and support, as well as particularly good resilience due to its higher compression resistance—even under heavy weight loads. PUR foam is exceptionally durable and robust, making it suitable for use in any application subject to heavy wear and tear. The higher the compression resistance and density, the better the foam withstands stress.
What kind of upholstery foam do you use?
We currently use PUR foam.
Depending on the production process, PUR foams—or polyurethane foams—have a very wide range of applications. To produce this versatile foam, polyol and isocyanate are foamed with carbon dioxide, allowing them to be manufactured in a wide variety of consistencies. Thus, PUR foams of a specific formulation and corresponding consistency can be used in the construction industry as assembly foam, adhesive, or varnish, while foams with yet another consistency are used for the production of shoe soles, hoses, bandages, or packaging materials. Of course, PUR foam is also used in the manufacture of mattresses. Due to its open-cell structure, PUR foam is highly breathable. Furthermore, PUR foam is highly elastic and dimensionally stable. PUR foam can be manufactured with a specific compression resistance and, due to its unique properties, is just as suitable for mattress production as it is for use in seat cushions or sofas. Thanks to its unique structure, the breathable PUR foam ensures optimal dissipation of body heat and moisture. It offers the body optimal point elasticity and support, as well as particularly good resilience due to its higher compression resistance—even under heavy weight loads. PUR foam is exceptionally durable and robust, making it suitable for use in any application subject to heavy wear and tear. The higher the compression resistance and density, the better the foam withstands stress.
How long is the warranty?
We offer a 5-year warranty on our entire product line, without exception. And if anything should go wrong after that, just get in touch with us and we'll find a good solution for everything.
Where is your furniture manufactured? Where do the materials come from?
- Production
All of our furniture is handcrafted within a 200-kilometer radius of Berlin. We are a Berlin-based family business with family ties to Poland and strong connections to Brandenburg. In our Berlin office, we plan and develop our ideas, which we then manufacture, test, photograph, and ship from Brandenburg and Poland.
- Sourcing
We source all our materials in Europe and strive to become a little more locally focused with every step we take. For example, our wood comes from FSC-certified forests in Germany and Poland, the New Life and wool come from Bavaria, our screws come from Germany, the cardboard boxes come from Poland, and the leather comes from Italy. We’ll transparently answer any questions you have about the origin of all the materials we use. Feel free to ask via chat, by phone, or by email at support@sternzeit-design.de .
Are you sustainable? How do you define sustainability?
Unfortunately, sustainability has become more of a buzzword—or “bullshit bingo”—for greenwashing than a genuine commitment. We certainly haven’t found the philosopher’s stone here either, but we’re trying to do our part.
What does that look like?
Of course, when sourcing materials, we adhere to standards such as Oeko-Tex 100, REACH, and the Blue Angel. In our new warehouse, which we are planning, our energy needs will also be met as much as possible by renewable energy sources. However, the following is very important to us: We never dispose of returns unless there is truly no other option. We refurbish all returns, as well as display items and furniture from events, and sell them once or twice a year in a “B-grade” sale. This is the only way we can ensure the efficient use of raw materials and energy.
In addition, we cut out our fabric and leather samples by hand from fabric scraps, for example. The wooden samples are also made from wood scraps.
We are constantly working to improve our services and are always grateful for your feedback and suggestions. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us via chat, phone, or email at support@sternzeit-design.de.
Can I get fabric, leather, and wood samples?
Of course. Plus, ordering and shipping are free.
Do you ship to my country?
By default, we ship to the entire EU, Switzerland, Norway, and the United Kingdom. We also ship packages worldwide. Upon request, however, we can arrange shipping via a freight forwarder to any destination. So if your country isn't listed among the options, please send us an inquiry at support@sternzeit-design.de.
How much are the shipping costs to my country?
Take a look at the shipping costs overview here.
How long will it take for my order to arrive?
It’s important to note that most of our orders are “made to order.” This means we often handcraft your furniture specifically for you after we receive your order. We usually complete this within 2–6 weeks, after which your order is shipped to you.
Delivery time also depends on where your order is being shipped. Within Germany, it takes only a few days; within the EU, it can take 3–7 days or more. Shipping outside the EU is difficult to predict and depends, among other things, on customs.
My order is more than 6 weeks old but hasn't been shipped yet! What can I do?
First of all, we’d like to apologize in advance if your order is delayed and we haven’t reached out to you proactively. Unfortunately, delays can sometimes occur due to our production processes following order receipt and the associated material inventory. We try our best to avoid this, but unfortunately, we aren’t always successful.
Illnesses or other issues can also get in the way. However, we make it a point to let you know about this before the shipping deadline expires. If you have any questions, please contact us via chat, phone, or email at support@sternzeit-design.de.
Where is my order?
You should have received the tracking information from us after your order was shipped. If you've created a customer account, you can also find your order—including the tracking information—there. If the tracking isn't working or there's an error, please contact us by email at support@sternzeit-design.de .
How long does it take to receive a refund?
We ask for your understanding that, once the merchandise arrives at our warehouse, a refund may take between 5 and 10 business days. This depends on the payment method, and we inspect each return manually and, if necessary, assign it to the appropriate processing steps.
What forms of payment are accepted?
What are the return policies?
You can try out all your orders at home for 100 days with no stress. After that, returns within the EU are also free of charge. This applies to both packages and freight shipments.
We offer it this way because we are confident in the quality of our furniture.
If you need help with a return or have any questions, please contact us by email, including your order number, at support@sternzeit-design.de.
Is my data safe with you?
Of course, we will not share your data with anyone and will use it only for internal purposes, such as processing orders or, if you wish, sending you our newsletter. You may request that your data be deleted at any time. To do so, please send a brief email to support@sternzeit-design.de.
Who has access to my data?
Only and exclusively employees of Sternzeit Design. And, for certain information such as the address, the contracted freight forwarders or package delivery services as well.

