If you’re shopping for new furniture to enhance the look and feel of your living room, explore the difference between a leather vs fabric sofa.
Did you know that worldwide leather production in 2007 was estimated at around $45 billion? This figure was significantly higher in the subsequent years as leather is frequently used for making clothing items, accessories, and furniture items such as sofas.
But if you want to buy a comfortable sofa in the near future, what’s the difference between a leather vs fabric sofa? Is a leather sofa better or a fabric one also has a lot of advantages? This article looks at fabric and leather sofas in-depth, so keep reading to find out more.
What Are the Advantages of Fabric Sofas?
Fabric sofas are very common as they are available in many designs and can last for years. Here are their main advantages:
- They Are Very Comfortable
Fabric sofas are warm to the touch and people can get very comfortable on them. They help you relax and are great for long hours of TV watching or even sleeping. Depending on the material from which they are made, most fabric sofas are softer and more attractive for pets and kids. They can accommodate a lot of people at once and preserve their softness for years to come.
- They Are Made From Different Types of Materials
Fabric is a general term given to certain materials such as cotton, linen or wool. You can have a sofa made from all these materials, depending on your preferences. For example, cotton-covered sofas are very comfortable and soft, not to mention that they also fight off odors. Linen and wool sofas are very warm and can provide a great place for a nap during cold winter days.
- They Can Be Resistant to Spills and Drops
Certain fabric sofas can be specially treated against spills and drops. They feature a stain-resistant finish that facilitates the cleaning process. As a result, you don’t have to worry too much when you accidentally spill something on your fabric sofa. You just wipe it out with a clean cloth or use basic cleaning products to remove the spill.
- They Are Available in Multiple Colors and Designs
This is probably the biggest advantage of fabric sofas. They can incorporate designs in various colors, textures, and patterns. Whether you opt for a traditional design or want something more modern, there’s always a sofa to match your preferences. You can also go for sofas with bi-color schemes or a sofa in a bold color such as red to make a statement in your living room.
- They Are More Affordable
Whether you have a small or large budget, you can always find a fabric sofa matching your tastes. Some fabric sofas are very cheap and they fit well in any interior decor. Others are finished with greater attention to details and they might cost more money. In any case, fabric sofas are the go-to furniture items for every homeowner, regardless of his/her income.
What Are the Advantages of Leather Sofas?
Although fabric sofas have a plethora of advantages, so do leather sofas. Let’s take a look at some advantages and see which type of sofa is better for you:
- They Are Hypoallergenic
Leather is a natural material that doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. As a result, leather sofas are more suitable for people who have allergies, asthma or different types of respiratory conditions. They are ideal for small kids or people of an elderly age who have breathing problems. Leather sofas also don’t facilitate the development of mold and bacteria
- They Are More Luxurious
Although fabric sofas look great, a leather sofa is considered to be more aesthetically pleasing. That’s because leather itself gives a more luxurious and eye-catching feel. If you want to renovate your living room and make it look exquisite, a leather sofa can do the trick. These furniture items are also ideal for commercial spaces, clubs, coffee shops, and so on.
- They Are Easy to Maintain
Leather is not a very porous material, so it can be easily cleaned with special products. Also, any spill or drop can be fixed quickly if you use paper towels to absorb the liquid or food. Especially if you go for a leather sofa made by a famous brand, you should expect it to last for many years and it requires little to no maintenance.
- They Can Adjust to Room Temperatures
When people order living room furniture, a common misconception is that leather sofas are cold to the touch and they cannot be used during the winter months. This is not necessarily true. Leather sofas replicate the surrounding temperature, so if it’s very cold in your house, they will get cold as well. If you leave your leather sofa in bright sunlight, it will get very warm too.
Therefore, it’s advisable to take care of the environment you put the leather sofa in to prevent extreme surface temperatures. Keep your sofa in a shady place in the summer and it will provide a pleasant coolness when you sit on it. Maintain a warm temperature in your living room during the winter and your sofa will be warm too.
- They Are Available in Many Designs
Just like fabric sofas, leather sofas are also available in many colors. You can go for light yellow, beige, black, white or gray sofas, depending on your preferences and needs. There are also sofas made from two different types of leather which create an attractive color scheme. Some leather sofas can also be used to create a central design point in a living room, so choose them with care.
Now You Know the Differences When It Comes to Leather vs Fabric Sofa
As you can see, the differences and similarities of leather vs fabric sofa can be numerous and impressive. Picking the right furniture item is all about personal preference. The next step would be to create a list of priorities, set a budget, and see a lot of leather and fabric sofas online to determine what you like the most.
Also, don’t hesitate to check out the other articles on our website to learn more about furniture items, interior decorations, and how to improve the quality of your living.
