Not all leather furniture is made the same. Different types of leather are used to craft these items. Knowing more about the types of leather can help you make the right choice for your living room, home office, and other spaces.
It's a sophisticated option, though each type of leather varies in its durability, quality, and texture. Here's what you should know about each different type of leather to make the right furniture choice.
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If you want the best of the best when choosing your leather furniture, then make sure you purchase pieces crafted from full-grain leather. It only has the hair removed from the animal hide, then gets soaked in a natural dye. This is the only treatment it ever receives, allowing it to keep the original look and texture of the hide.
It's incredibly pure, and you will notice that distinctive leather aroma. With full-grain leather, it's important to note that furniture with this material will have a very tough texture at first. However, it softens with time and usage. It is definitely the most expensive type of leather for your furniture-but because it is so durable, it is a worthy investment.
Top-grain leather is the next best option to full-grain leather. It is more polished to give it a softer texture. This buffing also gives the leather a more uniform appearance. Full-grain leather will reveal all the imperfections in the hide that gives each piece of furniture a one-of-a-kind look. Top-grain leather won't have any of these blemishes. It's incredibly durable as well, making it another fantastic option for your furniture.
Because nubuck leather is made from rawhide and sanded down, it has a soft, suede-like look and feel. It's stunning and wonderfully comfortable, though it is far more fragile than full-grain or top-grain leather. Still, if it is treated with waterproofing, it can last for years.
Split-grain leather furniture will be much more affordable compared to the other options. It is created by removing the outer layer of leather. Split-grain leather has a harder texture-and while it's cheaper, it's much more difficult to maintain than higher-quality leather options. In other words, it may be worth it to buy top-quality leather furniture rather than cut costs and wind up having to replace split-grain leather sooner than you think.
Bonded leather isn't really leather, though it does have leather in it. The percentage of authenticity is low though, and while it can give you the look of expensive leather, it's just not the same. It's important to look at the tags on leather furniture before buying if you do not want to wind up with bonded leather. This type will still have the smell and look of leather, so beware!
Faux leather isn't made from any bit of animal hides. You may think this is better for the environment, though hides from cattle used in the meat industry would otherwise go to waste if not made into furniture. Faux leather smells like plastic and is more prone to cracking and tears, making it far less durable.
When deciding on leather furniture, your best option is to go to a leather furniture store as it will specialize in carrying only the best items. You'll also have a better selection of leather options.
You can find sofas, armchairs, ottomans, recliners, loveseats, accent chairs, sectionals, and sleepers all made from leather. If you're not sure what would look best in your space, ask a salesperson to help you find the right piece!
