5 Reasons Why Leather Sofas are the Best on the Market

A few years ago we were in the market for a set of new sofas. My husband really wanted leather sofas, but I was dragging my feet. We live in a small town, but there were two really nice furniture stores where we went to take a look at sofas. Now, I am definitely interested in how a sofa looks, but I don't care how good it looks if it is not comfortable! I want to enjoy sitting or laying on my sofa, not just have it for display. So, we went around and looked and sat on a lot of sofas, and everyone that I found that looked good and were comfortable were leather! So I had to change my way of thinking. I had always like leather for other things, I just wasn't sure for my couches.

Since I was seriously considering leather sofas, I did a bit of online research, and discovered many reasons why leather is a great option for furniture.  Here are the top five reasons for buying leather sofas. (Remember though, that this is for quality, top grain leather, not the inferior split leather - make sure you ask before buying.)

1. Leather sofas are extremely durable. A good top grain leather will last four times longer fabric upholstery. It is impervious to accidental puncture by things such as pencils and pens, keys, screwdrivers and more. Because of its durability, most companies that manufacture quality leather furniture offer warranties against chipping, tearing, cracking and peeling. This makes leather a great option if you have children at home.


2. Very easy to clean. You can use a mild soap and water to clean up sticky messes or spills. If water is spilled, you can just wipe it off the surface and continue on with your day. This is unlike fabric upholstery, where you have to use towels to soak the moisture out of the fabric and then air dry it before you can use it again.


3. Being made of natural materials, leather sofas breathe. There is a myth that leather is hot and sticky in the summer, and hard and cold in the winter. This is not true. With its natural breathability, leather adjusts quickly to the environment and your body temperature. If you think this is not true because of a negative experience with a piece of leather furniture, then it was made of inferior leather that was over-processed. This basically means that the leather was sealed so that its natural breathability and ventilation is lost; therefore, it retained both heat and cold. This will not happen with quality leather.


4. Leather improves with age. It seems that within a few short years, fabric upholstery starts to look worn. But leather sofas develop their own personalities. They become more supple and soften over the years. Leather is actually enhanced by the natural oils in your skin. Sure, leather will eventually start to look worn, but not until you have gone through a few sets of fabric covered sofas!


5. Last but not least, I love the smell of leather!

So, those are the top five reasons why I love leather sofas. They just can't be beat when it comes to quality, durability and looks, so make sure that you seriously consider leather the next time you are in market for new furniture.