The sofa is such an essential part of our home life, the place where we spend relaxing after a long day’s work or the place where we gather and entertain guests. Shopping for a sofa is a major decision. The right sofa should set the tone of your living space without compromising on comfort. But with so many options on the market, picking one can get really confusing! And usually, you will be stuck between picking a leather or a fabric sofa.
It is time to put an end to the sofa dilemma. Figure out which sofa type is best for you, as we highlight the benefits and disadvantages of both materials.
Comfort
Some may favor the plushness of a fabric sofa while others may like the medium firm comfort level of a leather sofa.The main one is that fabric is overall more comfortable than leather. Like your car seat, leather absorbs heat faster than fabric. The same is with leather furniture; it will feel warm after sitting on it for a while. Leather furniture, however, is firmer than the fabric ones.
Maintenance
Depending on the quality of the material, fabrics have different lifespans in terms of wear and tear. Of course, higher qualities materials usually last longer, as many probably come with a stain-resistant finish that makes it easy to wipe off any unfortunate stains. Plus, fabric cleaning products are widely offered and affordable, or simply take care of spills with a handled steam cleaner or with a sponge and soap.
But! If the fabric is not of premium quality, removing stains might prove tough. In this case, leather might be a better solution.
Colour Durability
Both materials offer varieties of options. Fabrics provide unlimited tones and pattern choices that will fit any decor. The downside is that colours tend to fade out very quickly in time. It can be due to the excessive use of the sofa, frequent washing, or the fact that it simply fades out with age. On the contrary, leather’s colour palette is more lasting – but only if you don’t mind the slight sheen that comes with the material.
Appearance
A leather sofa, with its sleek and classic
appearance, adds a certain elegance to the room. You can hardly achieve the
same effect with fabrics. Fabric sofas are available in many hues and designs
and tend to add to a contemporary vibe to a home.
If
you like something clean and matte, fabrics in solid colours work great as a
compliment. For something timeless, sleek (and slightly masculine), A leather
sofa may be a better choice.
Safety
The leather sofas are hypoallergenic, which
makes them appropriate for people with allergies. Unlike fabric, leather
doesn’t accumulate dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens easily. In the
case of allergies, you need to turn professional cleaning or take care of the
furniture regularly. With the leather sofa, you will save effort, money and
time.
Budget
The cost of both types of sofas is determined by quality. Undoubtedly, good fabric and framing are expensive. At the end, however, the same leather piece will cost you the same if not more as buying a high-quality fabric sofa. The best strategy is to compare prices and features such as ease of cleaning, comfort, and durability. When making your decisions, take into account your own preferences.
If you own cats or dogs at home, opt for a more premium material for durability, so expect to pay more.