Leather Upholstery vs Fabric Upholstery for Your Sofa

Shopping for a new sofa is exciting and sometimes confusing. It seems like there are a thousand choices out there and narrowing it down to the perfect sofa can seem quite daunting. You need to choose the right size, high or low back, loose or fixed cushions, and more. This leads us to the most commonly asked question when shopping for a sofa: leather upholstery or fabric upholstery.

Everyone has their preferences, some prefer leather and nothing else, others prefer fabric. They each have qualities that make them unique, so here are a few things to consider when choosing upholstery for your sofa.

Benefits of Fabric Upholstery

Fabric upholstery creates a stylishly comfortable look in your family room. The Customizable Contemporary Sectional Sofa by Huntington House demonstrates the best qualities of fabric upholstered furniture. You can choose the pieces and upholstery that will complement your space perfectly.

• Comfort Level: Fabric sofas are soft, pliable, and warm. Leather, on the other hand, matches your body temperature almost immediately. Leather can keep you cooler even in hot weather. Leather sofas also tend to feel firmer than fabric sofas, so take that into consideration when making your decision.
• Care and Maintenance: Most fabric sofas can be treated to resist stains, so if a spill occurs they can be easily cleaned.
• Colors and Patterns: Fabrics come in almost unlimited choices of color and pattern. Leather also comes in a variety of colors, but leather sofas don't usually have patterns, aside from the pattern of the leather.

Benefits of Leather Upholstery

A gorgeous, luxurious leather sofa is a classic choicer for the family room. The Foster Sofa by Bernhardt creates a warm, inviting room to kick back in. Perfect for entertaining or quiet evenings at home. Check out our Leather Buying Guide to learn more about what to look for when buying a leather sofa.

• Hypoallergenic: Leather sofas don't harbor pet dander, dust mites, and other allergens, making them ideal for allergy sufferers.
• Appearance: A leather sofa adds a little bit of elegance and modern style to a room that fabric upholstery doesn't. Their fabric counterparts tend to be more classical or traditional. It's very subjective, so what you choose will depend on the look you are going for in your family room.
• Care and Maintenance: Leather is easy to clean, it usually needs a light dusting or wipe down a few times a year. Check with the manufacturer of your leather furniture for specifics on how to properly care for and clean your leather furniture. Either fabric or leather is easy to maintain, depending on your lifestyle.

Which Should You Choose?

Weight these factors against the look you are going for. Do you want clean and classic? Timeless and sleek? No one knows the answer to these questions better than you do. Both materials have benefits and the one you choose will depend on your needs and your personal taste.

If you are looking for a new sofa and aren't sure whether to choose fabric or leather upholstery, contact an in-house design professional at the Baer's Furniture near you. They help you choose the perfect piece for your home.