What to Look For in Leather Furniture

Thanks to a surge in the supply of leather, and to modern, efficient manufacturing processes, the price of leather has sunk. This means that the luxurious leather furniture sets that only a few could afford at one time are now available to everyone. The practical material is now adorned on sofas, loveseats, and other furniture at prices that were formerly reserved for vinyl look-a-likes.

If you’re considering an update for your living room, then definitely consider leather furniture. Of course, getting a really great price for these modern home furnishings takes a little bit more forethought. The key is to know what makes that piece more or less expensive than others. Leathers are graded and priced based on various factors, such as the grain, texture, and the grade of the leather.

When you first start shopping for leather furniture, you want to look for top grain leather. It comes from the desirable outer surface of the hide. Inner surface leather is called split grain, and is much weaker. Aniline leather is superbly soft, and is often the best. Semi-aniline leather have better protection against stains and fading. The least expensive, though, are the pigmented leathers, which are also the most stain and scuff resistant.

Texture is also an important quality factor of leather furniture, with the best being the softest. Nubuck leather is lightly brushed or abraded in order to create a short, plush nap. These are the aforementioned top-grain leathers, which are more resistant to damage. Suede is like nubuck, but it’s less durable. The other kinds of texture are sauvage, pull-up, and embossed, which are lower quality and less durable.

The last thing to keep in mind while shopping is the grade of the leather. High-grade leather can cost as much as 10 times more than lower-quality pieces. That being said, lower-quality leather furniture can also look great as well, and develop that characteristic patina.

If you’re struggling for living room furniture ideas, then perhaps you’ll find inspiration in leather. Whilst shopping, take a look at the grain, the texture, and grade of the leather. If you have any questions about how to shop for leather furniture, feel free to ask in the comments.