HomesDirect365: Leather Sofa Vs Fabric Sofa

Are you searching for the perfect sofa? When your old furniture is in need of replacing you might decide that it's time for a change. Whether you've had a fabric or leather sofa in the past, you want to know which one is the best option when buying your new sofa.

We have an extensive range of sofas to choose from, and the following guide examines the pros and cons of both, to let you know whether a leather or fabric sofa is the right choice for you.

Leather Sofas: The Facts

There's no denying that leather sofas are luxurious; they're soft but durable and stylish and they look amazing, adding a touch of class to millions of homes and properties across the world.

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/solid-leather-sofa-in-lounge-with-rug-6933860/

But how do they fare when compared with fabric sofas? Let's examine the evidence.

Leather Sofa Prices

Leather sofas tend to be more expensive than fabric ones, as a rule. That's because leather production is a more intensive and costly process.

The price is determined by the grade of the leather, referring to the thickness of the material, whether the grain is natural or artificial, and the type of dyeing process used. If you're going to buy a leather sofa, it's always worth investing in the best you can afford - cheaper leather furniture is rarely worth the price and is likely to deteriorate rapidly.

All leather goods, including sofas, that are made from real leather should have a label stating this fact. Ideally, they should also advise you of the grain.

The grain refers to the four basic layers that make up cowhide:

Full grain leather - the layers containing the skin and the grain, just beneath the outer skin. Aniline (and semi-aniline) leather falls into this category, referring to the dye that's used. This is the best quality and therefore the most expensive type. However, it is the most natural and therefore doesn't have a protective coating, making it susceptible to stains and damage.
Top grain leather - taken from anywhere between the top of the grain (but not the outer skin) and halfway down through the corium layer (the section of skin that connects collagen and fat to the cow's muscles).
Split (Corrected) grain leather - taken from the grain/corium junction or purely from the corium layer.
Genuine leather - anywhere from the corium layer, down to the lowest part where it connects with the flesh.

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A fifth type of grain is used, known as bonded leather, and this is the cheapest, made from scraps from the lowest part of the corium layer. These are pulped together and bonded with glue (hence the name!) before being applied to a fabric backing.

Learning this could help you to avoid paying for sub-standard leather sofas, as bonded leather is often sprayed to look like top-grain or full-grain leather. The trouble is that it will soon flake or peel, revealing its true nature.

When buying a leather sofa, always ensure that the seller knows that you are aware of the facts! Even some so-called high-quality leather sofas can actually be hiding the truth that they are made from inferior materials such as bonded leather.

Durability

While leather is generally a tougher and more durable material, it is often more prone to being scratched and scuffed. For some people, this is fine as it adds character. For others, however, it ruins the look of the piece.

Repair kits are available, as are specialist leather dyes and protection creams, but this means extra expense and hassle for you. Full-grain and top-grain leather sofas are especially vulnerable, as are suede and nubuck leather. These need to be treated with care!

In the worst case, leather sofas can be torn or will eventually crack if left in direct sunlight for long periods. Again, it's not impossible to fix this, but it involves expense and effort.

Appearance

Few pieces of furniture can match the classic leather Chesterfield sofa. And most leather couches look stunning, whether traditional or contemporary, with a huge range of styles to suit all interior designs.

Leather ages very well, making a great focal point in any room.

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Comfort

While they can offer plenty of comfort, leather sofas tend to feel hot and sticky on summer days, and can feel cold during the winter. And although the material can soften with age, it is still tougher than fabric and feels firm and supportive.

Cleaning

On the whole, real leather upholstery is easier to keep clean than its fabric counterparts. Although there are plenty of cleaning solutions to choose from, you can usually get away with wiping it down with a damp cloth once in a while.

Severe staining can cause problems, but if it's not possible to remove the stain completely you can always recolour the sofa. High-end leather, suede and nubuck may need professional cleaning to avoid permanent damage.

Source: https://www.diy.com/departments/scratch-doctor-leather-colour-restorer-recolouring-balm-for-faded-and-worn-leather-50ml-black/5055438499471_BQ.prd

Lifespan

A good-quality leather sofa will generally last a lot longer than a cotton fabric sofa. The natural material will soften with time and take on a beautiful patina.

Pigmented leather sofas are thought to be the hardest and most durable option, with a suggested lifespan of around 20 years. However, with the right care and attention, they are likely to last much longer!

Hypoallergenic Qualities

Genuine leather is a natural material that is extremely unlikely to trigger allergies or harbour allergens that make life miserable for millions of allergy sufferers. Most allergies are caused by proteins that enter our bodies (through the nose, eyes and mouth) that our immune systems identify as being harmful. This sets off a reaction that results in the symptoms that cause so much misery.

The biggest contributors are pet hair, pet dander (a bit like dandruff) and dust mites, but leather sofas don't harbour these or any other allergens, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers.

Ethical Concerns

One aspect regarding leather and fabric sofas that we can't ignore is the source of the materials used. There's no escaping the fact that leather comes from cows, and that can be a problem for a growing number of people in society; more people are adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle and leather furniture isn't an option.

In this case, faux leather sofas are handy as they look like the real thing and offer similar benefits, but they are made entirely from synthetic materials.

Now we've covered most of the pros and cons of leather sofas, let's move on to check out fabric sofas.

Fabric Sofas: The Facts

You are far more likely to see a fabric couch or sofa in people's homes, as there's a wider range of styles and prices. But in our quest to discover the pros and cons of fabric and leather sofas, we need to look at the details...

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Fabric Sofa Prices

Fabric sofas tend to be more affordable than leather or other types of sofas, making them an excellent option for those on a budget. Even so, a high-quality fabric sofa might cost about the same as a leather one, depending on where you choose to shop.

On the whole, though, fabric furniture is a much more budget-friendly option.

Comfort

Fabric sofas are (usually) soft and comfortable to sit on, making them perfect for lounging and relaxation. Some of this will come down to the quality of each item and how much you are prepared to pay for your living room furniture.

One positive is that the surface isn't affected by temperature; fabric sofas are more breathable than leather, which means they don't get as hot in the summer and are more comfortable to sit on for long periods. So, you won't stick to your fabric sofa on hot days, nor will it feel icy cold in winter like you would with a leather couch!

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