Leather sofas have a reputation of being only for the most affluent. In the past that may have been true. Now, however, new methods of curing and preparing leather has made sofas upholstered in leather much more affordable than ever. Although a quality piece of leather furniture will still be more expensive than a similar piece upholstered in cloth, the durability of leather means that with proper care, the sofa will last a good deal longer. It is this unique combination of practicality and luxury that makes leather such an attractive choice for your next sofa.
When shopping for leather sofas the key lies in understanding the different grades of leather and the limitations and benefits of each. Full aniline leather, sometimes referred to as ‘Natural Leather’ is the highest grade leather available. Natural leather has a very luxurious hand or feel, but it will possibly require special care and may be prone to scratches. Nubuck leather is brushed to create a suede-like very soft feeling. Pull Up aniline leather is treated with a special oil and wax coating which will alter its look with age. Semi-aniline leather has a special coating that is designed for protection. Finally, pigmented leather has been dyed and polished for colour consistency. Whatever kind of leather sofa you buy you can expect it to last a very long time, if not a lifetime.
Whatever leather sofa you choose will be dependent on your lifestyle and your budget of course. If you have children or pets then pigmented leather might be your best option as it will repel stains and clean up easily with a soft cloth and water. Leather sofas made of top grain leather should last a lifetime. Be wary of sofas upholstered in split hide leather – while they are dramatically less expensive they will have a life expectancy of only about 5 years. Be sure that you check the grade and type of leather on any sofa before you purchase.
The luxury of a quality leather sofa is no longer just for the affluent. Many furniture manufacturers are now creating leather sofas at very reasonable prices and by shopping carefully you can safely secure a sofa that will not only be luxurious, but very long lasting and comfortable. Leather will naturally become softer and more supple as it ages. Leather will warm to your body in the winter and stay cool in the summer. With careful shopping, attention to the details, including the manner of leather treatment and top grain rather than split hide leather, you can choose a leather sofa that will surround you in comfort and luxury for many, many years.
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