Leather Vs Fabric Sofa - Which One to Choose?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• LEATHER VS FABRIC SOFA
• DOES AESTHETICS MATTER TO YOU?
• HOW DURABLE ARE THEY?
• WHICH SOFA MATERIAL IS EASY TO MAINTAIN
• PRICING
• WHICH SOFA OFFERS MORE COMFORT?
• WHCIH ONE HAS HARBOR ALLERGENS
• WHICH ONE IS SAFE FOR PETS AND KIDS?
• LEATHER VS FABRIC SOFA - WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE?
• FAQs

Of all furniture available, shopping for the best sofa for your living room boggles your mind. Because a sofa holds an integral part of your living room and is an investment.

You will do your research, and ask a lot of questions before finalizing one. The most repeated query among all is Leather Vs. Fabric sofa, which one should I buy? 

Which one will suit your lifestyle, needs, preferences, and, most importantly, your budget? If you have these questions, you are on the right page. Now let's find out which is the best!

LEATHER VS FABRIC SOFA - MAJOR DIFFERENCES

DOES AESTHETICS MATTER TO YOU?

We can't give you a definite answer because everyone's personal choice differs. But, leather sofa gives a powerful and luxurious look and can tone up any decor but you will find only a limited range of colors.

Meanwhile, fabric sofas are available in different colors, patterns, styles, and prints. So, in terms of aesthetics, fabric sofas win hands down. 

HOW DURABLE ARE THEY? 

Despite the leather sofa being expensive, do you know many people buy it? Yes, you have the answer. Though leather is susceptible to cracking or splitting, they are durable and come a long way from fabric sofa. 

In short, leather sofas age like wine, and given their classic look, even if you change the living room decor, they can fit in easily. Like every material has its lifespan, vintage leather is still considered valuable as it can be restored and reclaimed.

Fabric naturally fades, stains, and wears out more quickly. Leather sofas are the best if you want a durable sofa for your living room. 

WHICH SOFA MATERIAL IS EASY TO MAINTAIN?

Maintenance is a crucial factor that increases the lifespan of the sofa. Both leather and fabric materials require different care. However, leather sofas are easier to care and fabric material such as velvet and linen lies on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of caring.

Because they absorb spills and stains easily, and for these reasons, it needs extra cleaning and maintenance. Especially if you have kids or pets, the fabric can be ruined. Sometimes, you might need professional help to recover it to its normal state or replace the upholstery.

PRICING

Lastly, when it boils down to pricing, it's not a new story that leather sofas are expensive, but you must understand why they cost so much. Leather lasts longer, gives a luxurious look, and is easy to maintain, so the vintage material is worth every penny spent.

Fabric is comparatively affordable, but do you know what makes them the ideal pick for some people? It can be replaced when needed considering their price depending on the room theme.

WHICH SOFA OFFERS MORE COMFORT?

After a long day, when you want to unwind on your sofa, it must welcome you with ample comfort. Here the problem with the leather is it can absorb its environment's temperature. During cold months, your leather sofa will be chilly and becomes hot and sticky during summers. So, it is less comfortable and more firm than fabric sofas.

In contrast, one can't deny the coziness the fabric sofa offers. They are soft, comfortable, and pliable. However, the comfort level will vary depending on the fabric type.

WHICH ONE CAN HARBOR ALLERGENS?

Do you know that fabric material easily gravitates dirt, dust, and microbes? This is why people using fabric sofas are reported to have more allergies if they don't clean their soda frequently. Sometimes, even deep cleaning done by yourself won't make the fabric sofa hypoallergenic. So you must get a professional cleaning. But leather sofas are hypoallergenic.

WHICH ONE IS SAFE FOR PETS AND KIDS?

If you have younger kids and pets, having a fabric sofa is recommended. Though leather sofas are easier to clean, they are robust and not that soft. Kids can get hurt playing on them, and the surface can easily damage while playing or roughhousing.

This is why it is recommended to get a fabric sofa if you have kids and invest in an expensive leather sofa when they grow up.

LEATHER Vs FABRIC SOFA - Which one to choose?

There is no straightforward answer to this because both materials have their pros and cons. Instead of looking for recommendations, or others' personal opinions, you can choose either based on your preferences. Because only you know about your needs.

So, check if the fabrics are durable, what are its maintenance requirements, cost, appearance, comfort, how you want to use the sofa, and how long it can last if it's an expensive material. By answering these questions, you will be able to choose the best one.

FAQs

1. Which sofa is better, fabric or leather?

Since leather is more durable than fabric, it can last for more years than fabric sofas. Meanwhile, fabric sofas need extra maintenance, such as stain-repellant treatment, but leather sofa doesn't demand much maintenance.

2. Which material is better than leather?

You know leather is the most durable material but if you are wondering if there is an alternative to leather, then you must consider waxed canvas.

Waxed canvas is densely woven cotton fabric saturated with wax. This material is not only durable but also waterproof. So, it has a rugged character and lasts long.

3. Can I mix leather and fabric in a living room?

Of course, you can. Mixing up leather and fabric sofas in your living room gives you a refreshing style. You can choose between contrasting colors and textures, add a touch of your creativity and add a different look to your place.

4. What are the different types of leather used in making leather sofas?

The leather sofas' prices are fixed based on the type of leather material used. These types include:

• Full-grain leather is the original and genuine leather made from 100% animal hide with no additional products.
• Top-grain leather is the polished version of full-grain leather and comes without any visible imperfections.
• Bi-cast leather comes with a layer of vinyl to bi-cast leather to make it look like full-grain leather. So, it looks stiffer, and the quality is compromised a bit.
• The suede is made from younger animals. Hence this leather is soft.
• Aniline - This leather is of high quality, and manufacturers use a dye treatment to retain the hide's natural surface.
• Faux leather uses plastics and rubber to make faux leather which gives the exact feel of real leather.

5. What are the different types of fabric used in making fabric sofas?

Like leather, there are different types of fabrics, such as: Natural fabrics are Linen, wool, silk, and cotton. Whereas synthetic fibers are man-made products that include polyester, nylon, acrylic, olefin, and vinyl.