Which Type Should I Choose: Leather Sofas or Fabric Sofas
If you think about it for a minute, you’ll realize that the sofa is where people spend the most of their waking time while at home. In light of this, choosing the right sofa should be a decision we take very seriously. Many homeowners get stuck on the decision between leather and fabric sofas, which is an understandable dilemma because there are plenty of pros and cons on both sides.
In this post we will explore the factors you should consider when making your choice and help guide you to the sofa that will give you, your loved ones and your guests the most satisfactory experience possible.
Let’s dive right in.
Do They Look Good?
There’s no shame in admitting that looks are important to us, and your sofa will often form a large part of people’s first impressions when they walk into a room. Leather furniture adds an undeniable touch of elegance and class to any space, and will usually look even better as it ages and develops a patina. Plus, you will find that leather matches well with virtually any interior design it is placed in.
Fabrics on the other hand are incredibly versatile allowing you to choose from a nearly limitless selection of patterns, colors and styles. The downside of many fabrics is that they may fade and lose their vibrancy over time especially if they are exposed to too much sunshine.
How Much Maintenance Will They Require?
Your sofa shouldn’t be a source of extra housework and trouble if it can be avoided - we all have enough on our plates as it is. Leather sofas only require occasional leather conditioning (every couple of months), and adding a protective coating will prevent the buildup of any allergens and impurities. You can also apply stain resistant treatment that will make it easier to deal with any messes and spills (this will be particularly useful if you have kids and/or pets around).
The advantage of fabrics is that you can wipe of any stains and spills using a damp cloth, but you’ll need to vacuum them on a regular basis. Vacuuming will be important because they are more prone to accumulating dust, dirt and various allergens.
How Much Do They Cost?
Leather is considered a premium material for the most part, even though there are varying grades of quality on the market. Because of this, leather is generally more expensive than other alternatives. If you are hoping to keep your sofa budget on the lower side, you’ll probably be better off going with fabric options.
How Comfortable Are They?
Comfort might be the most important consideration for a good sofa, and quality leather can be very accommodating. Over time, good leather will become even softer than it was when new, and it has natural insulative properties that will keep you snug and comfy regardless of the weather.
Fabric sofas will be comfortable no matter how new they are. Because textiles allow air to flow in and out of them, they have an advantage when it comes to temperature regulation (keeping us cool in warm weather and warming us up under cooler conditions).
How Durable and Long Lasting Are They?
A good leather sofa can be relied on to give you years of service if you take care of it thanks to its natural durability, although it might be more susceptible to scratches and tears from sharp objects. Still, it will stand up extremely well in the face of the usual wear and tear of daily life.
Fabric sofas are better suited to withstand surface damage such as punctures, tears, and so on. Even if damage should occur to such a sofa, it will not show up as prominently as it would on a leather sofa. On the other hand, fabrics are more likely to show the effects of daily usage such as fading, aging and pilling.
Final Thoughts
Interior design is all about knowing what you like and what you are trying to achieve. If you take all the factors, we have laid out here into consideration, you’ll be able to figure out what you’re willing to do without and what’s important to you making the choice between leather and fabric much easier.
Whatever your final choice is only trust a reliable, experienced, and innovative supplier for your sofas. Grado has decades of experience in the high-end design industry and is ready to help you achieve the dreams you have for your home or office.
