What type of material to choose, how to combine upholstery in different colors, and how to care for the product – we tell you what to look for when buying a leather sofa.
Leather furniture, no doubt, looks spectacular, but not everyone will decide to add it to their interior. It seems that it is too expensive, it is difficult to take care of the material, and indeed, for many, a leather sofa seems to be an anti-trend from the past. However, upon closer examination, this turns out to be nothing more than common stereotypes. In this article, we will tell you how to fit the classics of upholstered furniture into the interior so that it looks stylish.
Advantages and disadvantages
Leather is a bright, original, but at the same time controversial material. Furniture in such upholstery has a number of features that must be considered at the stage of purchase.
Pros
- Appearance – certainly, leather surfaces look expensive and noble, are associated with prosperity, and make the interior prestigious.
- Environmental friendliness – natural material is absolutely safe for humans, does not create problems for allergy sufferers, and does not collect dust in the same way as, for example, wool or velvet.
- Comfort – the upholstery breathes and “adjusts” to the microclimate of the room. If you have chosen a folding soft leather sofa, it will be comfortable not only to sit on it but also to sleep on it. Natural leather takes some time to adjust to body temperature, so a thin mattress topper can be used for greater comfort.
- Durability – This material is considered one of the most durable, wear-resistant. It will last for decades, it will not rub or tear, as it can happen with a fabric. Yes, over time, the surface will become a little worn, and creases may appear, but in the first case this will add a special flavor, and proper care will help prevent the second.
- Moisture resistance – unlike fabric, leather practically does not absorb moisture, so it is much easier to remove drops of wine, water, oil, or other liquid from such a seat than from textile upholstery.
Cons
- Pretentiousness is the other side of the coin. For many, tanned products are associated with the reception rooms of politicians or the country houses of oligarchs. To get rid of these stereotypes, just look at the catalog of any furniture store: now there are models of different shapes and colors that look modern, restrained, and concise.
- Complex care – it seems that leather upholstery needs painstaking care, but in fact, it is not. With a few simple regular actions – and the sofa will retain its gloss and original texture for a long time.
- High price – of course, on average, such furniture costs more than analogs upholstered in viscose or other mixed fabrics, but now there are dozens of options in the budget segment, including in the mass market. And this does not mean that the skin itself will be of poor quality.
Upholstery material
The choice between natural or artificial leather matters not only from an ethical point of view but also from a practical point of view.
Eco-leather is now becoming more and more popular, but can it compete with the original? A few key points to consider:
- Despite the fact that eco-leather is an artificial material, it does not contain any harmful substances that would be released into the environment and potentially dangerous to humans.
- Externally, high-quality analogs are indistinguishable from the original. The characteristic pattern, natural shade, and tactile sensations are preserved.
- Unlike cheap types of leatherette, this material can also last for decades and, with careful handling, retains its original appearance for a long time.
- Due to the knitted base, eco-leather is afraid of mechanical damage, especially cat claws. Therefore, if you have active pets at home who like to test everything for strength, this is not the best option.
- A sofa with synthetic leather upholstery is usually cheaper. This is often the deciding factor when choosing.
There is no single answer to which material is better. Everyone chooses the option that suits him, taking into account the priority characteristics: the budget is important to someone, and the naturalness of the product is important to someone.
Color
Design is equally important, as large furniture in itself immediately attracts the eye. In addition, it is the soft group that most often becomes the central area of the living room.
Brown
Most likely, when thinking about a leather sofa, most people think of a deep chocolate shade. Brown is a real classic when it comes to products made from any natural material. It is characteristic of wood and many types of stones – it is with these materials that it is best to combine upholstered furniture in order to get the most natural and noble composition.
Remember that brown is a multifaceted color, it has dozens of shades: from dark, almost black wenge, to light coffee with milk. Therefore, you can choose the right upholstery tone for any palette and interior style.
Beige
On the one hand, a beige leather sofa looks softer and more airy than the same brown one, on the other hand, it evokes strong associations with an office reception.
To avoid this feeling, it is important to choose the right environment. Use cozy textiles (plaid, pillows, carpet in the recreation area ), put a couple of planters with indoor plants, and add natural textures to the interior. Also, choose a shade of beige that will be combined with the rest of the palette and evoke only pleasant associations in you.
If you want upholstered furniture to stand out, opt for darker and denser color variations, they can even be closer to light brown. If the sofa should almost merge with the finish, take light cream shades diluted with white.
Black leather sofa
Black leather can look brutal, catchy, or restrained – depending on the model of the sofa and the environment.
This is also a classic color, so it is out of fashion. Such a product will fit into both traditional and modern interiors. So that the living room or office does not look like a gloomy box, it is better to choose lighter colors for decoration and other furniture. Also, be sure to provide enough natural and artificial lighting that you can appreciate the beauty of the upholstery at any time of the day, and the soft group does not seem like a shapeless dark silhouette.
Contrasting textiles or decor will look great on a black background: for example, you can hang several posters with a light background above a soft group. If you want to enhance the feeling of brutality, combine a black sofa with metal, concrete, or glass.
White
White color and leather are definitely a combo for the brave. Not everyone will decide to choose such material, and even light-colored furniture in general causes a lot of fears and prejudices.
At the same time, it cannot be denied that a large snow-white sofa (for example, modular or corner) in any room will look very bright and impressive. But how do you take care of it? How practical is it? In fact, everything is simpler than it seems: by and large, caring for a light product is not much different from cleaning a brown or black model. Sometimes it is even, on the contrary, a less easily soiled option, because dust, scratches, and dirt are even more visible on dark surfaces.
Along with this, white furniture has a lot of advantages. It is visually perceived easier, does not overload the space, fits into any style (from Scandi to loft and classic), does not draw attention to itself, and goes equally well with any colors.
Color
It is not necessary to limit yourself to classic shades – now the upholstery is painted in a variety of colors, from red to yellow or purple.
When choosing colored furniture, remember the basic rules for combining it with other interior elements. So, the sofa color can be chosen from:
- To match walls or other large objects.
- Contrasting with the overall palette.
In the second case, it is important to somehow support the color, especially if it is bright. This can be done through decor, textiles, or a small product (accent pouffe, console, a pair of dining chairs). When choosing an upholstery shade, remember that the same natural tones look better on natural textures. For example, instead of pure green, it is better to take grassy, emerald or olive. Instead of bright blue – deep oceanic, cloudy sky or cornflower blue.
Furniture care
If you do not know how to clean a leather sofa, do not worry: caring for the material is not as difficult as it seems.
To keep the product looking beautiful for a long time, a simple regular cleaning is enough.:
- Remove dust and wipe the surface with a normal damp cloth.
- A couple of times a year, apply special moisturizing compounds to the upholstery – they will prevent the appearance of creases and cracks.
- Once every 2-3 weeks, vacuum the seat and back on low power to draw out dust and dirt that gets into the pores of the material.
To extend the life of the furniture, try to make sure that the product is not constantly exposed to direct sunlight. It is also better not to place it close to the radiator, especially if the upholstery is made of leatherette. For more comfort and for practical reasons, you can cover the seat with a blanket.
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