Should You Get a Leather or Fabric Sofa - The Guide

Should You Get a Leather or Fabric Sofa - The Guide

Aug 12, 2020Accents Home

Sofas are an essential part of every home, especially for the living room. It’s the perfect place to kick back and relax after a long, stressful day, and a comfortable space where your guests will gather when paying you a visit. Having the right kind of sofa will set the atmosphere of your home, so it’s important to pick one that is plush, sturdy, and long-lasting.

Most sofa decisions come down to the material: leather or fabric. While each has its pros and cons, it’s important to figure out which one is best for your needs. Here’s what you need to know about leather and fabric sofas:

Fabric for Comfort

There are many components that determine the comfort of a piece of furniture. It’s highly dependent on the kind of material or textile used, the support system, and stuffing. In the case of living room furniture, fabric sofas are much more comfortable to lounge on than their leather counterparts.  

For starters, the fabric is generally a much softer and more comfortable material than leather. It’s more resistant to heat, for one, which makes it a perfect place to nap on during a hot day, as leather absorbs heat fairly quickly. However, if you’re looking for a firmer sofa, then you’re likely to enjoy a leather sofa. 

Leather for Maintenance

The quality of the material determines how often you’ll have to maintain and clean your sofa. As a general rule, higher-quality materials are much more long-lasting and resistant to wear, tear, and stains. There is also an abundance of fabric cleaning products available, which makes it easy to take care of any mishaps, like spilling wine onto the sofa or any accidents your pets may have.

However, if you buy a sofa that’s not made of high-quality fabric, then you may have more difficulty removing any stains. In this situation, leather wins in terms of ease of maintenance and cleaning.

While it’s much easier to wipe stains off leather sofas and clean them, it may be difficult to restore damages incurred by scratches and humidity. This makes leather sofas a less ideal option for pet owners. Regardless, you’ll want to buy leather products that improve the appearance of your leather sofa over time. This will minimize the appearance of cracks.

Either for Budget

The price of sofas varies between materials, and they’re almost always determined by quality. A well-made fabric sofa with high-quality framing will certainly cost a fair amount; however, leather sofas tend to be expensive as well even if they’re of the same quality as their fabric counterparts.

If you’re chiefly concerned about budget, then be sure to compare prices and features between the two sofas. Consider as well other important factors into your decision, like your personal preferences and the compatibility of your sofas with any pets you may have. Be prepared to shell out more for a durable sofa that will endure playful dogs or cats.

Either for Appearance

Everyone wants a sofa that lasts as long as possible, so it’s important to factor in how long its colours or patterns will hold. Fabric sofas offer much more variety in terms of design, tones, and patterns, and they’re a great pick for expressive homeowners who want to showcase more of their personality. However, the vibrancy of the design tends to fade out quickly over time due to frequent washing. Sometimes, it also fades due to age. If you’d like to add a casual and contemporary vibe to your home, fabric sofas are your best bet.

Meanwhile, leather sofas are a more classic option for seating choices for your living room. They’re more elegant and sleek, which will add a refined feel to your home. Leather sofas also retain their colour for much longer. However, they’re subject to patina, which means your sofa will develop a shine over time with use. Many people purchase leather products for the character it develops, so this is something to consider when deliberating over a leather sofa.

Leather for Health 

If you’re prone to allergies, then leather sofas are ideal for your living room. Fabric sofas are prone to accumulating allergens like dust and pet dander, which can regularly trigger your allergies unless it is frequently cleaned. With leather sofas, all you’ll have to do is wipe it down with the appropriate leather products once in a while, and you won’t have any health issues to worry about.

Conclusion

The type of sofa you’ll want to buy is highly dependent on what you prefer and what you need. Apart from providing comfort and elevating the atmosphere in your home, picking the right sofa will also make sure it’s easy to maintain without triggering any health problems. With this guide, you’ll be one step closer to picking the perfect sofa for your home.

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