That butter-soft texture, that smooth touch, that classic timeless style – there truly is nothing like leather.
This long-lasting, immensely durable material is synonymous with impeccable class and excellent taste. When buying leather furniture, it pays to truly understand this material, the different grains, and what you can expect from them in the years to come. Your knowledge of leather goods will help you decide which product is best for your home and lifestyle.
If you want to invest in a new leather sofa or chair, these four tips will help you select a sofa that’s high-quality, stylish, comfortable, and made to last.
1. Learn your leathers
Leather is leather...right?
Not quite. Unlike velvet, or other soft furniture materials, leather is not all the same, as it can vary greatly in appearance, quality, and durability.
Most people will be familiar with ‘top grain’ leather, also known as corrected grain, or finished leather. This material is firm and durable enough, relatively easy to clean, ideal for high-traffic use, and is quite beautiful.
However, Lounge Lovers only stocks the very best in quality and durability possible; aniline and semi-aniline.
Semi-aniline leather contains zero artificial treatment on the surface, nor does it have pigment applied, although it may have some form of surface protection such as a wax. Semi-aniline promises that beautiful natural softness of high-quality leather, and is suitable for everyday use. It provides more of a vintage look, and is resistant to marks and fading due to the wax layer, which will absorb into the leather over time for an increasingly soft finish.
Aniline leather is the absolute pinnacle of leather quality, and is the softest and most natural looking leather possible. It contains no artificial treatment on the surface, minimal wax, and no pigment applied. Only the highest quality hides are selected to create these leathers, and they will only ever become softer over time as they develop an exquisite vintage patina.
All in on aniline: The Boston 3 Seat Leather Sofa is a spectacular example of full aniline leather. With elegant detailing and impeccable style, this is a sofa that will grace any room with its quality and beauty.
2. Consider the frame
Wood types and treatments are major factors when purchasing timber furniture, and are no less important when it comes to leather sofas, even though you can’t see it.
The most important aspect is that the timber should be stiff, as anything softer can warp and wear down quickly. The best leather sofa brands will use woods such as pine, which are known for their durability. Typically, these woods will also be kiln-dried prior to construction to remove every trace of moisture from the timber, which helps to ensure the wood will not warp over time as the seasons change.
In addition to being durable and affordable, pine is grown in regulated forests and has the lowest carbon footprint of any mainstream building material — making it the ideal choice for your home and the environment.
Pining over pine: The Frankie 3 Seat Sofa offers sleek style and modern elegance on the outside, and durable pine timber on the inside for strength. It also includes steel for additional endurance and a 10-year warranty on the frame.
3. Opt for a timeless hue
An exquisite leather sofa is ageless. It only improves over time, and with the proper care, it can last for decades. In other words, you will need to invest in a look that will work no matter whether you opt for a coastal style, minimalist decor, or something else.
Fortunately, the very nature of leather makes timelessness a breeze. The typical leather sofa or leather chair design incorporates the natural tan and chocolate hues and textures of the material, although dyed black and cream tones are also common.
Any of these colours will last effortlessly through house moves and stylistic changes. They will remain at the heart of any living area, accompanying you on life’s journey for the years ahead.
A bold black leather sofa: Picture the Draper 3 Seat Sofa in Tan reigning over your living area for years to come. Like a little black dress of interior design, you can dress it up or down and it will never lose its chic style and classy grace.
4. Don’t put your comfort last
From the quality to the look to the warranty, there’s a lot to consider when buying a leather sofa, but comfort can trump almost all of them.
As a sofa that is designed to be there for you at the end of every tough day for the years ahead, there is no room to compromise on comfort. You’ll relax on it, welcome guests on it, and accidentally fall asleep on it more times than you can count, so a welcoming, lush seat is paramount.
Last but not least, care is paramount if you want your leather sofa to stand the test of time.
Sink into a Sofa: Sofa are not just a triumph of style, it’s a celebration of comfort, too. The seat filling is foam with a luscious feather wrap for support and softness in one.
Looking for leather to last a lifetime? Shop our leather sofa and chair collection today — starting from just $299.
