Leather Furniture: Easy on Your Eyes and Wallet

The idea of owning leather furniture may have never crossed your mind. If you’re like most people, leather furniture is an expensive status symbol, or something that adorns manly hunting lodges and dark libraries. But if you’re in the market for new furniture, you might want to take a second look at the benefits of leather.

Without a doubt, the cost of a new leather sofa is prohibitive for most people. But consider this: for an initial outlay of around $1200, about twice the cost of a conventional upholstered couch, you can have a piece of furniture that will last a lifetime. That’s right—a lifetime. While you may need to replace your fabric furniture every few years, you can plan to pass your leather furniture on to your grandkids. Just like upholstered furniture, leather furniture has lower and higher end models. Pieces made from full or top grain leather are more expensive, but also last longer than split grain or suede. No matter what you decide on, when you consider the factors, leather is actually a much better value than conventional upholstered furniture.

While upholstery shows wear and tear after only a few months of use, leather stands up to the test of time. Even when it finally starts to show signs of wear, high quality leather just looks better and better. Being a natural product, leather is stain resistant, easy to clean, and can be repaired if damaged or torn. Why do you think cowboys and bikers use leather? Because it’s naturally weather resistant, tough, easy to repair and care for, and lasts almost forever. Leather is a great choice for pet owners, as dirt and hair stay at the surface instead of working into fabric fibers. No more money wasted on lint brushes, tape rollers, and fabric refreshers. Plus, the cat is much less likely to sharpen his claws on leather than fabric. Be sure to use products specifically designed for leather furniture care and you’ll have that sofa for a lifetime.

Leather warms to your body temperature, feels inviting, and has an earthy, natural smell. Upholstery and synthetics like vinyl have toxic off-gasses that have no place in your home. And while leather will stretch and move slightly over the years, it won’t become faded or threadbare the way that cloth can. There’s a reason lounges and cigar bars often feature leather furniture. Leather has a higher resistance to odors than upholstery. Even aficionados don’t want to smell Macanudos all the time. Leather means that when you’re napping on the couch, you can smell couch, not stogies or doggies.

Leather is timeless and classic. Leather pieces come in many styles and colors, and you can accessorize with throws and pillows as your moods and design ideas change. Leather goes with all decors, and unlike that bright yellow floral pattern, it won’t be outdated in a few years. And nothing looks more sophisticated in the corner of your library or den than a nice leather wing chair.

There are a few great websites offering a quick and easy way to purchase leather furniture, several of which offer free shipping, excellent warranties, damage protection options, and even “white glove” service that puts your new furniture exactly where you want it.

So if you’re looking for a new couch, chair, or sectional, consider leather. It’s durable, comfortable, and stylish, and when you do the math, it turns out leather is quite economical as well.