Decorating Guides
Design With an Edge: Leather Tiles for Floors and Walls
Leather tiles can warm up a floor or a wall, providing a fun design element. Best of all, they can be swapped in and out on a whim
Leather-paneled walls can add a warm, elegant element to a room. But they have a few drawbacks — the first being that paneling can seem a bit formal, the second that installation can be daunting.
Fortunately, there is a cool alternative in the form of leather tiles. These come in myriad colors and shapes that can complement contemporary or classic interiors alike. Leather tiles may be plain, embossed or laser-engraved. They are durable and versatile enough to use on both walls and floors. Best of all, several manufacturers have designed installation systems that are portable, meaning that any tile installation can be changed, repaired or moved.
Fortunately, there is a cool alternative in the form of leather tiles. These come in myriad colors and shapes that can complement contemporary or classic interiors alike. Leather tiles may be plain, embossed or laser-engraved. They are durable and versatile enough to use on both walls and floors. Best of all, several manufacturers have designed installation systems that are portable, meaning that any tile installation can be changed, repaired or moved.
How to Install Leather Tiles
In contrast with traditional leather paneling, leather tiles are easier to install, thanks to portable installation systems that are great for DIYers to tackle. In tiles that use Velcro systems, each leather tile is backed by little hooks, and the wall gets prepped with a layer of loops — kind of like the two pieces that stick together on Velcro shoes. For design junkies, the aesthetic possibilities of the flexibility can be head-spinning.
The other option is magnetic systems, in which a flexible magnetic backing is added to each tile, allowing it to adhere to any metal surface, or any surface painted with several coats of magnetic paint infused with iron dust. The iron dust — not the paint itself — attracts the magnetic backing of the leather tile. Once the paint has dried, the rough texture of the wall is sanded smooth, and the leather tiles are applied. Magnetic leather tiles need no glue for installation.
In contrast with traditional leather paneling, leather tiles are easier to install, thanks to portable installation systems that are great for DIYers to tackle. In tiles that use Velcro systems, each leather tile is backed by little hooks, and the wall gets prepped with a layer of loops — kind of like the two pieces that stick together on Velcro shoes. For design junkies, the aesthetic possibilities of the flexibility can be head-spinning.
The other option is magnetic systems, in which a flexible magnetic backing is added to each tile, allowing it to adhere to any metal surface, or any surface painted with several coats of magnetic paint infused with iron dust. The iron dust — not the paint itself — attracts the magnetic backing of the leather tile. Once the paint has dried, the rough texture of the wall is sanded smooth, and the leather tiles are applied. Magnetic leather tiles need no glue for installation.
Where to Use Leather Tiles and How to Clean Them
Because leather tiles absorb sound, they can be nice for both floors and walls, and they may add a practical sound-dampening aspect to various rooms in the home. Consider using them where noise may be an issue; bedrooms and media rooms are also great candidates. Leather floor tiles do not conduct heat or cold; they are soft and warm to walk on. Bedrooms, hallways, and family and living rooms are also great places to use these decorative elements.
They can be an interesting aesthetic choice for curved surfaces since, unlike glass and ceramic tiles, leather tiles are flexible enough to wrap around curves. They are typically treated with a stain- and water-resistant finish, making them suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. But be smart and wipe up any spills from red wine, foods and oils as soon as possible.
Like hardwood, leather floors can be scratched, nicked and gouged. Leather aficionados may not consider these imperfections to be flaws, but rather additions to the overall charm and character of the leather. However, if you’re not someone who considers patina or visible aging to be charming, you may want to think twice about how you’ll feel about leather tiles over the long term.
That said, leather floors are relatively durable and with proper maintenance can last two decades or even longer. To maintain leather tiles that you install on the floor, simply dust and vacuum them regularly, then wipe with a slightly damp cloth. To keep them shining, wax and buff once or twice a year.
On walls, these can be an intriguing alternative to wallpaper. At $15 to $50 per square foot, leather tiles are more expensive compared with wallpaper, which typically runs $25 to $150 per roll, or about $1 to $5 per square foot, depending on material and style.
Because leather tiles absorb sound, they can be nice for both floors and walls, and they may add a practical sound-dampening aspect to various rooms in the home. Consider using them where noise may be an issue; bedrooms and media rooms are also great candidates. Leather floor tiles do not conduct heat or cold; they are soft and warm to walk on. Bedrooms, hallways, and family and living rooms are also great places to use these decorative elements.
They can be an interesting aesthetic choice for curved surfaces since, unlike glass and ceramic tiles, leather tiles are flexible enough to wrap around curves. They are typically treated with a stain- and water-resistant finish, making them suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. But be smart and wipe up any spills from red wine, foods and oils as soon as possible.
Like hardwood, leather floors can be scratched, nicked and gouged. Leather aficionados may not consider these imperfections to be flaws, but rather additions to the overall charm and character of the leather. However, if you’re not someone who considers patina or visible aging to be charming, you may want to think twice about how you’ll feel about leather tiles over the long term.
That said, leather floors are relatively durable and with proper maintenance can last two decades or even longer. To maintain leather tiles that you install on the floor, simply dust and vacuum them regularly, then wipe with a slightly damp cloth. To keep them shining, wax and buff once or twice a year.
On walls, these can be an intriguing alternative to wallpaper. At $15 to $50 per square foot, leather tiles are more expensive compared with wallpaper, which typically runs $25 to $150 per roll, or about $1 to $5 per square foot, depending on material and style.
In this room, a leather wall adds a contemporary, warm element to the decor. It also absorbs sound and adds texture to that expansive wall.
The colorful mix of leather tiles in this photo underscores one of their central attractions: If you’re raring to redecorate and reconfigure your leather wall tiles, you can go right ahead. A gray, blue and gold leather-tiled wall today might become cream and tan next year — or even next month!
Furthermore, if you’ve spilled spaghetti sauce on your leather floor and can’t seem to scrub the stain out, just replace the affected tile. Best of all, when it’s time to move, pack up your portable leather tiles and go. Just remember to bring some magnetic paint, or more Velcro backing, for your tiles.
More: Seeking a Quiet, Relaxed Spot? Try Upholstering Your Walls
Furthermore, if you’ve spilled spaghetti sauce on your leather floor and can’t seem to scrub the stain out, just replace the affected tile. Best of all, when it’s time to move, pack up your portable leather tiles and go. Just remember to bring some magnetic paint, or more Velcro backing, for your tiles.
More: Seeking a Quiet, Relaxed Spot? Try Upholstering Your Walls
Here, leather paneling adds old-school glamour to a living room. It’s lovely to look at, but it’s not so easy to install. This is because leather panels are typically installed by gluing them directly to a plywood substrate screwed into the existing drywall. The plywood surface must be completely smooth for the panels to adhere, so it has to be sanded and wiped clean before the panels can be attached.
Next, an installer applies glue to the back of each panel and then presses the panel to the substrate — even pressure must be applied — until the adhesive sets. All the while, the installer must take care not to drip adhesive on the leather panel, or it may discolor.
Once the leather panels are installed, they become a permanent design element of the room since they can’t be removed without damaging the substrate and drywall beneath. If you’d like a little more flexibility, leather tiles may be a better fit.