Tea or coffee, football or rugby, yin or yang? There are questions that come up on a regular basis, without us actually being able to answer them. And for some, there is one to add in terms of sofa: leather or fabric?
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place and we’re going to help you answer this last question. Because in fact, what are we really looking for when we want to offer ourselves a sofa? A priori comfort, probably style, ideally a piece to keep over time and ultimately, which is the best possible value for money. So let’s review this leather/fabric alternative through the prism of these four criteria: comfort, style, lifespan and budget.
Which of the two is more comfortable?
Let’s leave out all the internal part of the sofa, namely padding, springs, etc. to focus only on the coating: leather or fabric. What is the difference ? Leather is known to be a warm material. Sometimes a little too much if we refer to the leather seats in some cars. And no need to be in the sun, the effect is the same inside a home. A leather can be very cold when the ambient temperature is too. Of course, you can dress your leather sofa with throws. But you lose the interest of a leather sofa. As for the fabric, as we have just seen with plaids, it is deemed to be more comfortable than leather. It is therefore the fabric that wins the palm in terms of comfort – although of course, it’s all a matter of personal taste. The feeling is not the same from one person to another, and whether it is visual or in this case tactile, it will be different from one individual to another at the time of decision-making and purchase of the sofa.
Which of the two is more stylish?
On this point even more, it is a question of personal taste. And on the subject, there would be a lot to say about leather and fabric. On the one hand, leather is a noble material and generally gives character and a slightly more sophisticated tone to a room. On the other hand, the fabric is available in a much wider range of colors and patterns, and can therefore work with a wider range of colors and decorating moods. So it really depends on what you are looking for. Nothing beats a leather club sofa for that warm, slightly enveloping feel. Whereas if you want to bring freshness and fun to a room, the fabric can satisfy you more. Again, your lifestyle can make a difference. Because you know that choosing a sofa comes down to a compromise between aesthetics, comfort and practicality. Leather or fabric? Advantage to one as to the other. The two coatings are tied in terms of style.
Which of the two has the longest lifespan?
A sofa is an investment in furniture and decoration. It is probably, in a living room, the room that requires the highest budget. It is therefore preferable that this purchase lasts over time and that you do not have to renew it too often. So think at the time of purchase about its resistance and ease of maintenance. You want to keep the good looks from the beginning, don’t you?
By its very nature, leather is more durable than fabric and will therefore last a few years longer. In terms of maintenance, leather will probably be easier to clean except in the case of major stains. It is enough simply to dust it or so to speak to wipe it. This makes it a relevant choice if you have young children or an entourage likely to stain your sofa easily. Also, as any parent will attest, children love to play on sofas and fabrics can easily start to look a little worn from the jumps and pressure on them, while leather retains its splendor more easily. . Finally, the leather is hypoallergenic. Unlike the fabric sofa, which without regular cleaning, can be a nest for dust mites and very easily retain animal hair. The advantage would therefore be rather to leather when it comes to addressing the lifespan likely from the sofa.
Which offers the best value for money?
As with everything, the price you pay for your sofa reflects the quality of the product and the quality of the material from which it is made. Of course, leather sofas are perceived to be more expensive. But you will find high-end fabric sofas that are just as high. Beyond the material, take into account the criteria mentioned above: which one seems the most comfortable to you, the most adapted to your style of interior decoration, the most likely to last a long time? Do you prefer an easy-care sofa, Do you give importance to allergies – cf. dust mites and animal hair? The sofa that will best meet your expectations will be the one in which it is in your interest to invest. In this case, the advantage is neither to one nor to the other, but indeed to both: leather and fabric, equality.
Really can’t choose?
Maybe you need to opt for both? It’s very simple: find the model that combines leather AND fabric. Or if necessary, treat yourself to two canapés!