Cleaning & Care
Leather Cleaning & Care
- If possible, avoid prolonged exposure to direct 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 avoiding direct 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 things like 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 proper humidity levels 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 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 exposure to sunlight. If possible, position the furniture so that it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Please feel free to contact us for more information about UV resistance.
- Avoid placing the furniture in a damp environment to prevent mold growth.
Repairs & Replacement Parts
Spare parts
It's frustrating when something breaks or gets lost. But as a rule, we provide 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 out as quickly and easily as possible.
Repairs
Is a replacement part not enough? Did your cat scratch the upholstery, your dog chew on the chair 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 nerves, and we try to find solutions for everything. For example, you can send us your chair 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 to a cord enclosed within a fabric strip. It is used to decorate or enhance the edge seams of upholstered furniture or cushions, while also reinforcing them and making them more durable. The production of 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 impression 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 multi-layer wooden 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 fabric is applied before the final cover is fitted. What is PUR foam and what is it suitable 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 and can thus 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 of a different consistency are used for the production of shoe soles, hoses, bandages, or packaging materials. Of course, PUR foam is also used for the production 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 high compression resistance and, due to its unique properties, is equally 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 particularly durable and robust, so it can be used wherever heavy wear and tear occurs. 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 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 high compression resistance and, due to its unique properties, is equally 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 particularly durable and robust, so it can be used wherever heavy wear and tear occurs. 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 range, 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 more locally focused with every step we take. For example, our wood comes from FSC-certified forests in Germany and Poland, our New Life and wool from Bavaria, our screws from Germany, our cardboard boxes from Poland, and our leather from Italy. We’re happy to transparently answer any questions you may have about the origin of all the materials we use. Feel free to ask via chat, phone, or 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, 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, we also aim to meet our energy needs with renewable energy sources as much as possible. 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-stock 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. The wooden samples are also made from wood scraps.
We are constantly working to improve our services and always appreciate your feedback and suggestions. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact 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 UK. We also ship parcels worldwide. However, upon request, we can arrange shipping via a freight forwarder to any destination. So if your country isn't listed in the selection 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?
Please note: Most of our orders are “made to order.” This means that 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 will be shipped to you.
Delivery times also depend on where your order is being shipped. Within Germany, it takes just 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 procedures.
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. Due to our production processes following order receipt and the associated material inventory, delays can unfortunately sometimes occur. We do our best to avoid this, but unfortunately, we don’t always succeed.
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 passes. 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 and the tracking information there. If the tracking isn’t working or you encounter an error, please contact us by email at support@sternzeit-design.de .
How long does it take to receive a refund?
Please understand that once we receive the returned item at our warehouse, it may take between 5 and 10 business days to process your refund. This depends on your payment method, and we inspect every return manually and, if necessary, send it for processing.
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 pressure. After that, returns within the EU are free of charge. This applies to both standard packages and freight shipments.
We offer this 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 third parties and will use it only for internal purposes, such as processing orders or, if you wish, sending you our newsletter. You may request the deletion of your data 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, in certain cases—such as the address—the contracted freight forwarders or parcel delivery services.

