Leather sofas vs fabric sofas. Which one is best?

A sofa is great investment, either you choose a leather or fabric one. You want a good quality couch that will last you for years, therefore it is important to take some time to do some research before going shopping. Actually, considering that a sofa is such an integral part of your home life, it’s quite understandable that you want to make an informed decision.

The main question many people ask themselves is whether to choose leather or fabric. Both materials have their own positive and negative characteristics, so check the benefits of each one to help you choose the right sofa for your home and family. The most important considerations are durability, care requirements, appearance, comfort, and cost. However, you should also asses your family’s needs and habits, and the style and purpose of the room where you will be placing the sofa.

Find out the pros and cons of leather vs fabric sofas with this helpful guide and figure out which option will suit you best.

 

 

• Appearance

It’s well known that a fabric sofa will create a more intimate and cosy vibe, while leather furniture really makes a statement and in general sets a more sophisticated tone to a room. So it really depends on what you’re after.

In terms of colours and patterns, we could say that fabric is far superior to leather, as there are so many options available on the market that the possibilities are endless.  You can style the entire room around a sofa in bright, vibrant colours or with bold, funky patterns. Alternatively, you could choose a calming neutral tone to anchor a living room filled with art and decorative pieces.

Leather comes in a variety of colours too, even though not as many as fabric. As mentioned before, leather furniture does make a statement and most of the time you need to adjust the room to it, rather than integrating this type of sofa in an existing décor. However, nothing really beats a leather Chesterfield for that traditional cosy and slightly clubby feel. More than that, a good quality leather exudes luxury and lends elegance to a space, hard to replicate with a fabric sofa.

 

• Durability

By its very nature, leather is more durable than fabric and so will last, on average, at least five years longer. Even tough leather is a hard and thick material, it can be easily scratched and is also susceptible to cracking or splitting. Fabric tends to fade, stain and wear out more quickly.

On average, a well maintained leather sofa will last you 10 to 15 years, and a fabric one 7 to 10 years. One of the best methods to prolong their life span is having your furniture professionally cleaned at least once per year. No matter the material, fabric of leather, professional upholstery cleaning is essential for maintaining the good look of your sofas and increasing their durability.

 

• Comfort

When we talk about comfort, there are more than one factor to consider. Frames, springs and cushioning, all play an important role in how comfy your sofa is. If we assume everything is standard except the material on the outside, then fabric is generally thought to be comfier than leather.  However, leather becomes more comfortable with time, and considering that this material ages very well, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

A common query is whether leather sofas are cold or warmer to sit in than fabric couches.A leather sofa will reflect the room temperature or your body temperature. On a cold day, a leather sofa can be cold to the touch, but under a warm throw blanket it will warm up to a comfortable temperature. On a hot day, with no air conditioning, your leather sofa might heat up, causing you to sweat and stick to the leather. But if your house is climate-controlled you will find yourself perfectly comfortable.

 

• Cost

 

We already mentioned that fabric sofas come in a variety of colours and patterns. The same principle applies when comes to their prices. There are many budget friendly options. Obviously, if your budget is very low you will have to compromise on quality, however there will still be a lot of alternatives to choose from. Leather sofas on the other hand, will cost you a small fortune. Quality fabric and framing are expensive, but the same sofa in leather will always cost more.

 

• Care

Cleaning and maintenance of your sofa should play a huge role when thinking about your next purchase. When considering a fabric option, you’ll need to think about the treatment you apply to the sofa. This will determine how the fabric wears. Using a fabric protector on the sofa will make cleaning spills and marks off much easier and determine how long the sofa keeps its new look.

Leather is considered a lot easier to clean, however it’s important to understand that various leathers wear and age differently. Aniline and semi-aniline leathers must be treated with care, whereas pigmented leathers have a sealed surface and are more durable making them great for families. On regular basis, leather sofas only require a light dusting and spills can be cleaned easily by whipping them off with a clean cloth. To prevent premature wear, as well as cracks and splits, your couch should be conditioned consistently and professionally deep cleaned once per year.

One great disadvantage of fabric sofas, is that they harbourdust mites, pet dander, and other allergens. As a new item is easy to avoid this built up of dirt by regular vacuuming. However, in the long run, the dust and debris will get embedded within the fibres, which means you need more than a good hoover to get rid of them. What you need, is a professional cleaning company that uses the water extraction method. This method is highly effective, as it reaches deep within your sofa and completely removes the dirt and bacteria, leaving it clean and sanitized.  That is particularly helpful for those who are suffering from allergies, because having your furniture, as well as carpets and mattresses professionally cleaned, means improved indoor air quality and complete allergens removal. Make sure you do a bit of research before choosing the cleaning company. You need someone with experience, quality products and machines, and excellent reviews, such as Happy Clean. They are the best rated sofa cleaners and carpet cleaners in Dublin.

 

If you still can’t make a decision after reading our guide, you could always do a bit of mixing and matching. A leather two-seater could sit alongside a traditionally styled four seat fabric model to create an eclectic look. Or why not throw in a fabric snuggler or leather chair to break things up a bit? You could even go for a leather and fabric sofa so you get the best of both worlds.