If you are looking for timeless, classic pieces for your home, then you simply cannot go wrong with leather furniture. One of the best things about leather is that it gets better with age, in terms of both looks and comfort. In this article we will explain the different types of leather furniture available, helping you to make a more informed purchase.
Leather furniture not only looks great, but it is also extremely comfortable to sit on.
Why choose leather furniture?
Unlike other types of furniture, leather furniture is extremely versatile. It will complement both traditional and contemporary settings, adding a hint of luxury styling. Leather furniture is also long-lasting, providing home owners with years of use and enjoyment. It is a very durable material with the ability to resist stains and general wear and tear, all while retaining its stylish looks and shape. Real leather furniture ages differently over time, giving it a completely unique look. You will find that no two pieces have the same markings or colour variations. There are a variety of grades available which we will now go on to explain.
100% real leather
Although there are many mock finishes out there, you simply cannot beat buying a real leather sofa or arm chair. Furniture made from one hundred per cent real leather will either be full grain or corrected. Full grain leather furniture is stylish and supple, displaying the top grain layer’s natural markings. No two pieces of full grain leather furniture will look the same. If you want to inject a little character into your living room, then choosing full grain leather furniture is highly recommended.
Those looking for an arm chair or sofa with a flawless leather finish will be better off choosing furniture made from corrected leather. During the manufacturing process the top grain layer is buffed to remove all of its imperfections, resulting in a smooth, glossy finish. Corrected leather is still genuine, though it is usually a little less expensive than full grain leather.
Bonded leather
Bonded leather furniture may look and feel like leather, but it is not actually the real deal, in fact it only has to consist of a minimum of 17% real leather. This type of furniture is made out of the scrap pieces of leather that cannot be used to make premium quality furniture. These scraps are grinded down and then pieced together using a thick layer of polyurethane plastic. Although there is nothing wrong with purchasing bonded leather furniture, it is important that you do not mistake it for real leather, if it is real leather you are after. Unfortunately there are sales assistants out there who will try and pass it off as the real thing, so it is important to be a savvy shopper!
If 100% genuine leather furniture is out of your price range, then why not try a faux leather alternative?
Faux leather
If real leather furniture is out of your price range, then there is nothing wrong with opting for faux leather alternatives. In fact many animal lovers and vegans prefer faux leather as it has not been made from an animal. Like real leather, faux leather alternatives are usually soft, durable and capable of holding their shape for years and years. Faux leather furniture is much more affordable and available in a wide range of colour finishes.
Conclusion
When it comes to purchasing leather furniture it is important to understand the different grades available. If you can afford to splash out on one hundred per cent genuine leather furniture, then it is highly recommended as it will look just as good as the day you bought it in a decade’s time, if not better! Leather furniture not only looks sleek and stylish in both modern and traditional settings, but it is also well-equipped for everyday use.
Image credits: Didouner & Stilfehler
