A Four-Step Buying Guide For Leather Furniture

The right piece of leather furniture can make a whole room pop and give you a place to rest in comfort. Use this four-step buying guide for leather furniture to find your own piece of leather luxury.
 

Economy options in leather furniture

First, when looking at price tags on pieces of leather furniture, do remember how long the piece is likely to last. Leather in itself is at least four times as durable as fabric. Leather sofas themselves typically last three times longer than their fabric counterparts. Leather also ages far better, so a higher initial investment could mean savings down the road.

Your second consideration is price, and the one thing that can make a difference in price within leather furniture options is the type of leather used. Aniline leather is drum-dyed, giving the dye a chance to soak in richly and deeply for the best colors. This kind of leather is used without protective coating. You’ll find it to be the softest leather you feel, but also the highest in price.

Semi-aniline leather is your mid-range option. It may also be called protected aniline leather. It is still drum-dyed, but token applications of coating get put on. This slightly affects the color, but does give it a layer of protection from fading over time and the inevitable spills.

The economy option here is pigmented leather. Any coloring isn’t done by dying or soaking, but direct surface application. The colors are thus far more muted, nor is the feel as soft as either aniline option. On the other hand, you save money and get the best long-term protection, not just against fading and stains, but also scratches.
 

Two primary considerations in buying leather furniture

Third, consider the placement any particular piece of leather furniture is going to get in your home. There are two primary considerations with respect to this: area traffic and temperature comfort.

If your leather furniture is going into a room with a lot of traffic and activity, it is more likely to see wear and tear. Go for semi-aniline or pigmented leather. Save the rich aniline leather for adult-only areas that aren’t likely to see many food and beverages or pets.

Temperature comfort also matters, because once you sink into a nice leather seat, you aren’t likely to want to move for a while. The idea that leather will feel cold is actually a misconception. Any leather seat will match your body temperature in less than fifteen seconds.

Heat can sometimes be a different matter. A home without air conditioning that has leather furniture in direct sunlight through a window can get a bit warm in the late afternoon and early evening. If you have pets that like to nap in such spots, consider what effect that might have on the furniture.
 

Leather furniture maintenance

Your fourth and final consideration in choosing the right piece of leather furniture is maintenance. Semi-aniline and pigmented leathers usually can just get an occasional cloth wiping and be fine. Color of leather doesn’t impact your cleaning methods or regimen like upholstery often does.

Other than that, just keep your eyes open for good zippers on pillows and cushions for easy access inside the leather furniture. Properly cared for, the leather will outlast the filling, and you want to be able to replace it easily. Also try to avoid anything that combines vinyl and leather in the same piece. Again, the leather will be good long after the vinyl withers away.

Price, lifespan, furniture placement and maintenance are the four things to keep in mind as your overall buying guide for leather furniture. Use all the tips you’ve just read to hunt down your dream piece of leather luxury soon.
 

The Best Contemporary Furniture

The best contemporary furniture BIF has some of the most unique and innovative collections from leading manufacturers around the world. You can browse contemporary furniture from our website or you can visit the showrooms in your city and then decide which model you want. Shop at BIF to create a fresh new look using today’s hottest trends in contemporary furniture design for a stunning finish to any room.