A Lounge Lizard's Guide to Buying a Leather Sofa
Plumping for a gorgeous leather sofa may be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Get it right with some leather lowdown
When it comes to sofas, leather’s got the look – and the feel, the durability and even the smell. But before you wave that credit card, do a little hide homework. There’s a wide range of types, qualities and styles that will affect your ongoing satisfaction with your purchase, so know what you are buying, what to expect from it and whether it’s right for your decor. The answers to some important questions will guarantee you bring home a sofa you’ll love to lounge on for years to come.
How does the finish affect the look and performance?
Cow hide is one tough leather, but needs further processing to turn it into furniture leather.
The most common furniture finish, and the most popular for high-use pieces, involves a three-part process: the leather is pigmented, surface spray-coloured and protected with a clear coating. This brings several benefits including fewer natural markings, a firmer feel, low-maintenance and a wider colour choice.
For leather intended for moderate use, aniline or semi-aniline dyes are applied. Aniline dyes are transparent pigments that give even colouring and a soft feel.
For the crème de la crème of leather furniture pieces, full aniline dyes are applied. This shows off the natural grain, makes it softer and increases pliability. A light stain repellant is also often applied. This process means that it can be more difficult to clean and can fade, but the quality often speaks for itself.
Cow hide is one tough leather, but needs further processing to turn it into furniture leather.
The most common furniture finish, and the most popular for high-use pieces, involves a three-part process: the leather is pigmented, surface spray-coloured and protected with a clear coating. This brings several benefits including fewer natural markings, a firmer feel, low-maintenance and a wider colour choice.
For leather intended for moderate use, aniline or semi-aniline dyes are applied. Aniline dyes are transparent pigments that give even colouring and a soft feel.
For the crème de la crème of leather furniture pieces, full aniline dyes are applied. This shows off the natural grain, makes it softer and increases pliability. A light stain repellant is also often applied. This process means that it can be more difficult to clean and can fade, but the quality often speaks for itself.
What’s inside the hide?
If the beauty of the exterior is only skin-deep, the sofa won’t last. As with any sofa, the sub-structure is crucial. Solid hardwood frames and coil springs ensure a sofa maintains its shape, although engineered timber is often used now.
Whatever the structure, it should not be flimsy. Webbing suspension – used instead of springs – sags over time and has no ‘memory’ like spring suspension. Ask the salesperson at your local furniture store to tell you about the construction.
If the beauty of the exterior is only skin-deep, the sofa won’t last. As with any sofa, the sub-structure is crucial. Solid hardwood frames and coil springs ensure a sofa maintains its shape, although engineered timber is often used now.
Whatever the structure, it should not be flimsy. Webbing suspension – used instead of springs – sags over time and has no ‘memory’ like spring suspension. Ask the salesperson at your local furniture store to tell you about the construction.
Some sofas have ‘tight’ cushions, meaning they are attached to the frame. If your preferred style has these, bear in mind they’re not removable for cleaning, repairs or re-stuffing, if needed down the track. Cushion content is a major factor in comfort and lifespan – ask about HR (high resilience) foam with inner-spring coils.
What can I tell from the price?
You can probably tell if a sofa is genuine leather, as there is a large price difference between real and faux leather. Price also indicates leather quality, although oddly, it doesn’t always indicate serviceability – full top-grain aniline leather with a high price tag isn’t as easy to keep clean as ‘corrected’ and ‘protected’ leathers.
Add the differential of design details and the designer name, and the picture is not always clear. Comparison shop and ask questions of both the retailer and, if possible, the manufacturer before committing.
You can probably tell if a sofa is genuine leather, as there is a large price difference between real and faux leather. Price also indicates leather quality, although oddly, it doesn’t always indicate serviceability – full top-grain aniline leather with a high price tag isn’t as easy to keep clean as ‘corrected’ and ‘protected’ leathers.
Add the differential of design details and the designer name, and the picture is not always clear. Comparison shop and ask questions of both the retailer and, if possible, the manufacturer before committing.
Can I get a guarantee and after-sales service?
A top-quality, two-seater leather sofa can cost $2,500 and upwards into the stratosphere, depending on leather grade and style, so a guarantee is essential. Ask what it actually covers. Check what the procedure is if you have a problem, and that the retailer bears any freighting costs.
Perfect Match: What to Pair With Your Leather Furniture
A top-quality, two-seater leather sofa can cost $2,500 and upwards into the stratosphere, depending on leather grade and style, so a guarantee is essential. Ask what it actually covers. Check what the procedure is if you have a problem, and that the retailer bears any freighting costs.
Perfect Match: What to Pair With Your Leather Furniture
Is leather high-maintenance?
And the answer is… another question: compared to what? Some fabric upholstery is high-maintenance, even with fabric protection, and some leathers need more care than others.
Use this three-step process to decide whether the maintenance will meet or surpass your expectations:
1. Read care instructions and guarantee conditions so you don’t void the warranty.
2. Wipe weekly with a soft damp cloth and wipe spills immediately.
3. Apply a manufacturer-recommended leather conditioner every four to six months.
Tip: Do a patch test in an unseen spot if using a cleaning or maintenance product on leather furniture for the first time.
And the answer is… another question: compared to what? Some fabric upholstery is high-maintenance, even with fabric protection, and some leathers need more care than others.
Use this three-step process to decide whether the maintenance will meet or surpass your expectations:
1. Read care instructions and guarantee conditions so you don’t void the warranty.
2. Wipe weekly with a soft damp cloth and wipe spills immediately.
3. Apply a manufacturer-recommended leather conditioner every four to six months.
Tip: Do a patch test in an unseen spot if using a cleaning or maintenance product on leather furniture for the first time.
Any other care tips?
1. Placing a leather sofa close to a heat source such as a fireplace is not recommended.
2. Some leathers fade in excessive direct sunlight.
3. Don’t use soaps, abrasive cleaners, waxes, oils or excessive water.
4. Although civilised cocktails and canapés won’t cause problems, oily, messy burgers and pizzas, and grubby feet and hands may. Pick a coated non-absorbent leather that can be wiped clean, or go faux.
5. Don’t spot clean full aniline leathers – seek professional advice.
1. Placing a leather sofa close to a heat source such as a fireplace is not recommended.
2. Some leathers fade in excessive direct sunlight.
3. Don’t use soaps, abrasive cleaners, waxes, oils or excessive water.
4. Although civilised cocktails and canapés won’t cause problems, oily, messy burgers and pizzas, and grubby feet and hands may. Pick a coated non-absorbent leather that can be wiped clean, or go faux.
5. Don’t spot clean full aniline leathers – seek professional advice.
What’s your climate?
A quick survey in my local beachside cafe yielded an overwhelming ‘no’ to leather in a hot, humid climate. Reasons were that bare skin sticks to leather, sweat stains can soak in, sand (and naughty sandy dogs) scratch it, and it’s not a ‘beachy’ look. You choose.
A quick survey in my local beachside cafe yielded an overwhelming ‘no’ to leather in a hot, humid climate. Reasons were that bare skin sticks to leather, sweat stains can soak in, sand (and naughty sandy dogs) scratch it, and it’s not a ‘beachy’ look. You choose.
Do you belong to an ‘entitled’ pet?
Pets and leather… don’t go together. If you can’t dissuade your pet from the sofa or ottoman, throw a blanket (stylish of course) on their favourite spot, or tempt them to an alternative snoozing site. A little retraining may be required.
How to Put an End to Your Biggest Pet Peeves
Pets and leather… don’t go together. If you can’t dissuade your pet from the sofa or ottoman, throw a blanket (stylish of course) on their favourite spot, or tempt them to an alternative snoozing site. A little retraining may be required.
How to Put an End to Your Biggest Pet Peeves
What styles are popular?
The time-honoured Chesterfield is back and its handsome lines give a gentlemen’s-club-cigar-and-port ambience to a den-like room, especially in rich mahogany-toned leather. A classic Chesterfield has deep button tufting on the back, seat and arms, nailhead detailing and opulently rolled arms in line with the back.
Tip: Before the invention of the spring, tufting kept horsehair stuffing in place. A tufted sofa is a practical choice if you don’t like leather that wrinkles, as it stabilises the upholstery.
The time-honoured Chesterfield is back and its handsome lines give a gentlemen’s-club-cigar-and-port ambience to a den-like room, especially in rich mahogany-toned leather. A classic Chesterfield has deep button tufting on the back, seat and arms, nailhead detailing and opulently rolled arms in line with the back.
Tip: Before the invention of the spring, tufting kept horsehair stuffing in place. A tufted sofa is a practical choice if you don’t like leather that wrinkles, as it stabilises the upholstery.
Leather is really strutting its stuff in contemporary design, with sleek, almost seamless lines and low profiles. Some sofas come in modular pieces so you can alternate colours, play with arrangements and add or take away at whim.
Modern leather dyeing techniques have brought the Chesterfield into contemporary focus with any colour you fancy. Get the best of both worlds with a traditional style and an up-to-the-minute colour.
Browse more images of transitional-style living rooms
Browse more images of transitional-style living rooms
What if I love leather but don’t want to go all out in a sofa?
Dip your toe in the water and team a fabulous leather accent chair or armchair with a fabric upholstered sofa to get the luxe look. A leather ottoman can double as a coffee table too.
Dip your toe in the water and team a fabulous leather accent chair or armchair with a fabric upholstered sofa to get the luxe look. A leather ottoman can double as a coffee table too.
What if I want to change my decor?
A distinctive colour on a large piece of furniture will anchor your decor and affect all your choices in the room. If you like to change things around from time to time, ask yourself if a more neutral or natural colour would be more versatile. You may tire of a vibrant colour and although leather reupholstering is an option, the cost is significant.
A distinctive colour on a large piece of furniture will anchor your decor and affect all your choices in the room. If you like to change things around from time to time, ask yourself if a more neutral or natural colour would be more versatile. You may tire of a vibrant colour and although leather reupholstering is an option, the cost is significant.
White leather has a glamour quotient like no other. It’s probably not the best family-friendly or everyday choice, but has star quality for sophisticated soirées.
Natural leather pigments or creams, tans, greys, whites and browns, even blacks, are always a good option for major furniture pieces, as they harmonise with most palettes.
Which Colours Go With a Brown Leather Sofa?
Natural leather pigments or creams, tans, greys, whites and browns, even blacks, are always a good option for major furniture pieces, as they harmonise with most palettes.
Which Colours Go With a Brown Leather Sofa?
How long should a good leather sofa last?
I’ll quote a Houzzer, thinkoutsidethebox, who reports: “It’s been almost 20 years since we bought our last leather lounge set, which was made in Australia by Pegar. This set will be placed in another room, as it is still in good condition.”
As the saying goes, leather wears in, not out. A quality leather sofa will outlive multiple fabric ones. Make an informed choice armed with advice on the leather type most suitable for your home and application and an idea of what look you want for your decor.
I’ll quote a Houzzer, thinkoutsidethebox, who reports: “It’s been almost 20 years since we bought our last leather lounge set, which was made in Australia by Pegar. This set will be placed in another room, as it is still in good condition.”
As the saying goes, leather wears in, not out. A quality leather sofa will outlive multiple fabric ones. Make an informed choice armed with advice on the leather type most suitable for your home and application and an idea of what look you want for your decor.
What about vintage or antique leather sofas?
An old leather sofa that wears its age well, proud of its wrinkles and scars, is a beautiful thing. If it’s a family piece, keep up conditioning treatments to extend its life. If it’s a vintage buy and you plan to restore it, check on the construction, cushioning, stitching and leather condition – it can be very expensive if the structure is weak and the leather is badly damaged.
An old leather sofa that wears its age well, proud of its wrinkles and scars, is a beautiful thing. If it’s a family piece, keep up conditioning treatments to extend its life. If it’s a vintage buy and you plan to restore it, check on the construction, cushioning, stitching and leather condition – it can be very expensive if the structure is weak and the leather is badly damaged.
What about faux leathers?
Faux leathers are considerably cheaper and increasingly indistinguishable from leather in appearance, with stamped-on graining. They have a much shorter lifespan (about a third of leather), and don’t develop the ‘life lines’ and mellow loved look of quality leathers. Generally, faux leathers have clean-cut edges, a spongy feel, consistent pore pattern, smooth texture and may smell plasticky or rubbery.
Tip: Top-quality genuine leather should smell like the back seat of a vintage Bentley.
Faux leathers are considerably cheaper and increasingly indistinguishable from leather in appearance, with stamped-on graining. They have a much shorter lifespan (about a third of leather), and don’t develop the ‘life lines’ and mellow loved look of quality leathers. Generally, faux leathers have clean-cut edges, a spongy feel, consistent pore pattern, smooth texture and may smell plasticky or rubbery.
Tip: Top-quality genuine leather should smell like the back seat of a vintage Bentley.
What is ‘vegan leather’?
No, not from vegetarian cows. This is promoted as an alternative for those with ethical concerns about animal products. The recently-coined term simply means another variant on faux leather. A small percentage of vegan leathers are made from cork or kelp, but most still use a large quantity of polyurethane, polyvinyls and other petroleum byproducts.
No, not from vegetarian cows. This is promoted as an alternative for those with ethical concerns about animal products. The recently-coined term simply means another variant on faux leather. A small percentage of vegan leathers are made from cork or kelp, but most still use a large quantity of polyurethane, polyvinyls and other petroleum byproducts.
Does it make your heart beat faster?
This is the last – and most important – question. Can you stop fondling and sniffing it? Can you leave the shop without making it yours? Will you love it when you’re 64 and beyond? A major outlay and long-term commitment should have major magnetism. Take time during your decision-making process to listen to what your pulse rate tells you.
Your turn
Do you love leather or favour fabric sofas? Tell us why in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more sofa inspiration? Read up on Forever Furniture: A Buyer’s Guide to ‘The Sofa’
This is the last – and most important – question. Can you stop fondling and sniffing it? Can you leave the shop without making it yours? Will you love it when you’re 64 and beyond? A major outlay and long-term commitment should have major magnetism. Take time during your decision-making process to listen to what your pulse rate tells you.
Your turn
Do you love leather or favour fabric sofas? Tell us why in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more sofa inspiration? Read up on Forever Furniture: A Buyer’s Guide to ‘The Sofa’
There are three basic types of furniture leather (mostly cow hide), which refers to the part of the hide used.
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