Leather Vs Fabric Sofas: Which Should You Choose

Buying a new sofa is fun and exciting, it’s going to take centerstage in your living room after all! Your dream sofa will become part of the family for years to come so you want only the most Fantastic of them all, right down to the fabric you choose. We’re here to help you answer the age-old question – should I go for leather or fabric? We’ll talk about the pros and cons of each later, but for now, let’s focus on you and your family. There a few important questions we want you to ask yourself when deciding on a sofa:

• Do you have children and/or pets?
• How often will you use the sofa?
• What style and colour would you prefer?
• Do you need hypoallergenic materials?

Let’s get to it, leather vs fabric sofas: which should you choose?

The Pros & Cons of Buying a Fabric Sofa

If you’re looking for a sofa that offers versatility in both style and budget, then fabric materials are the way to go. Yes, leather sofas are available in a range of colours, but fabric sofas have more customisable textures and patterns to choose from. This is Fantastic for those who want to switch out a few cushions to give a room a stylish update every now and then.

Depending on the quality of the materials, frame and cushions, couches with fabrics make extremely comfortable recliners. Fabric is more forgiving to the framework required for transforming a sofa into a sleeper bed than leather is.   

Fabric lounge suites also tend to have removable and washable fabric cushions, while leather sofas tend to feature fixed cushions that may be susceptible to crumbs and food particles over the years. With a fabric sofa, maintaining your couch will be as easy as vacuuming regularly and the occasionally wash. By lifting excess debris from the weave, you can prolong the even colouring of your sofa too! What a bonus!

The Pros & Cons of Buying a Leather Sofa

We’ve talked about the pros and cons of a fabric sofa, let’s get into leather sofas. This type of material (including faux leather) is usually more expensive than other types of sofas, and this can really put a dent into the bank.

The weather where you are should also be considered if tossing up between fabric or leather. Leather sofas tend to feel warm in warmer weather and icy to the touch in winter. Fabric options on the other hand will feel snug all throughout the year!

When a leather sofa is marked full-grain, aniline, or semi-aniline, these usually distress quite uniquely over the years to create a beautiful piece of furniture. However, any spills that occur on leather furniture must be taken care of immediately. Any liquids that are left on it for a long time may discolour patches of the leather.

Value, Durability & Comfort

In the case of fabric vs leather sofas, your ideal material may come down to something as simple as your budget. You’ll want a sofa that will last for years to come and one that reflects your changing. We have a huge selection of sofas to choose from and an extended online-only range of even more sofas to browse through! Take your time and consider what will work best in your home and for your family. For added peace of mind, you can invest in our Sofa Shield protection for any of your new purchases too.