Sofas are an integral part of our life – adding style, drama or flair to interior decor. Sofa is the first thing we acquire when we move into a home, the place where we rest after work, read or spend time in the evenings with family or entertain guests. So it makes sense that we weigh the positives and negatives of fabric or leather sofas which will suit our homes, family and lifestyle taking into consideration durability, care requirements, appearance, comfort, and cost also personal choice.
Here, we delve into options like comfort, style, durability, value and others so that your buying decision become an informed one.
Benefits of fabric sofas
Comfort
Overall comfort is of prime importance when we think of seating. Comfort quotient is determined by the overall stability and quality of frame, springs, the sofa design, cushioning by volume of foam and ultimately as a rule of thumb – the finish of the fabric adds to the comfort level. Comfort also tends to be tied to appearance as well. However, fabric sofas, on the whole, tend to be much more comfortable than leather sofas because leather tends to heat up in summer and uncomfortably chilly in winter.
Care
Wear and tear of fabric sofas depends upon the grade of fabric as high-quality fabrics withstands wear better. When choosing a fabric sofa, consider how much time you will spend on maintenance or cleaning. Microfiber fabrics are easier to clean or treat them with stain-resistant finish. Linen, cotton, and wool mixed with synthetic makes the sofa material breathable and easier to clean.
Décor Options
Fabrics offers a much better chance of matching existing décor or play with virtually unlimited patterns, textures, and colors to create an inviting atmosphere indoors. It is possible to get the sofa matched to a piece of art, the paint on the walls, the carpet, or even the curtains. There are many different types of fabric that you can choose from for your new sofa; velvet upholstery gives a high-end expensive look.
Cost
Fabric upholstery is no doubt cheaper compared to a leather one and can be replaced should one feel the living room becoming monotonous and boring. Sofas can be reupholstered at less cost to match the changes in décor and these are not like the cold and rigid feel of leather ones.
Cons of Fabric Sofas
Avoid fabric sofas if your family members have allergies, as the fabric traps allergens in it. Professional cleaning is needed because dander and fur of pets sticks, even dust mites remain deep within. Smoke of cigarette or food becomes trapped in the fabric and is very tough to remove this odor. The color of the fabric fades and if the sofa is exposed to sunlight the process is quicker and a faded sofa looks very unattractive. It’s also very difficult to clean lower-quality fabric as it stains quickly, you will have to get it reupholstered or replace it totally.
Benefits of Leather Sofas
Durability
Leathersofasare a win-win buy on account of durability. Good quality leather last longer than fabric and nor does the color or sheen fades like fabric in course of time nor is it prone to tears. A leather sofa ages like wine, so you can retain it while redecorating the interiors. Here, let me state that despite excellent care — cheaper or imitation leathers are likely to crack or fade. So, we advice that to avoid this from happening, opt for leathers marked full-grain, aniline, or semi-aniline. But avoid ‘genuine leather,’ which is layers of cheap leather bonded together with glue.
Hypoallergenic
leather is the best upholstery materials for sofa in houses where people have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies as it doesn’t harbor dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens as easily as fabric does.Even in homes having tiny trots its perfect. Leather does not absorb dust nor faces as fabric. Animal hair also does not stick to it; so when your pet sheds just give your sofa a brushing. But leather sofas are not recommended for owners of unruly pets as scratches and tear from boisterous dogs and cats will be difficult to fix.
Aesthetics
Leather sofas are elegant,sleeker and more high-end compared to their fabric counterpart.Leather is versatile décor option fitting in modern, vintage or minimalistic décor. Chesterfield-style leather sofas are very traditional but are trendy and modern; automatically updates and makes interior appear more high-end. They can add a bit of flair and drama to any room, improving the overall appearance of a space. Add color and texture via the cushion options in prints and patterns.
Care and maintenance
Leather sofas can be cleaned by just wiping with a damp cloth or a light dusting or rub down—whereas fabric sofas needs to be vacuumed and cleaned on a regular basis. Wipe spills quickly and there would not be any risk of staining or damaging the sofa. However, leather sofas should be conditioned consistently by moisturizing it to prevent cracks and splits by keeping it soft. Additionally, different types of leather over time take on different patinas.
Cons of Leather Sofas
Leather sofas cannot add color to brighten up the interiors as there are not many colors and shades to choose from. Leather sofas are usually brown, black, or sometimes white; while there are different shades of brown and black available. Leather sofas are more expensive than other types of sofas, so people find it difficult or impossible to afford them. Instead of the real thing it is possible to buy faux leather sofas but these sofas have their own set of problems, and do not last long. Spills on the surface will sticky and discolor the leather if not wiped timely. Leather sofas are also much warmer and sticky to sit on during summer and cold and unpleasant, especially during the winters.
