Seated in style: Fabric vs leather sofa upholstery
Picture this: you've just found your dream sofa, the one that promises countless movie nights, afternoon naps, and maybe even the occasional impromptu dance party. But, ah, here comes the tricky part – the upholstery dilemma. Should you go for the suave allure of leather that whispers sophistication, or wrap yourself in the cosy comfort of fabric that feels like a warm hug?
It's the age-old conundrum of style versus snuggle, and we're here to unravel the threads of this upholstery enigma. Join us on a sofa safari as we explore the wild world of fabric and leather, decoding the mysteries that lie beneath the cushions and ultimately helping you make that crucial choice for your cherished seat of relaxation. Welcome to the Great Sofa Upholstery Face-Off – where comfort meets style, and choices become a delightful challenge.
That’s my seat
Your sofa is an investment and it’s going to get a lot of use. So, in the great upholstery debate, it’s important to consider things like:
Ease of maintenance
Durability
Pets
Tactility
Your style, your definition of comfort, the placement of the sofa and cost will also be contributing factors in the selection of upholstery fabric. Another factor that many people don’t consider is climate. Whether the challenge is humidity or very dry air, the weather does influence the perception of comfort with sofas as well as maintenance. The last thing you want is very thick wooly upholstery when you live in a region that’s blazing hot for most of the year.
Fabric vs Leather
Hand-feel: Although this would come down to personal preference, fabric upholstery is generally perceived as much more comfortable to touch. It’s softer and there’s a great variety of textures to choose from with fabric upholstery. Leather feels luxe, but it also feels much cooler in the winter and can be uncomfortably sticky in the summer.
Appearance: Leather has a natural elegance and will develop a patina over time. If cared for properly, one can avoid the cracks or wrinkling that could occur. Unfortunately, leather has very limited options when it comes to colour or designs. Fabric upholstery is available in a much wider variety of colours, designs and textures. It’s appearance can effectively be customised to suit the space.
Care: Leather is surprisingly easy to keep clean - just a light dusting and maybe a rub down a couple of times a year. It does need regular conditioning to prevent cracks and splits. With fabric upholstery, if you choose a durable product like FibreGuard, you can enjoy fabric that has inherent stain-free technology and is easy to clean with just water. FibreGuard upholstery fabrics are also machine washable if they are used as slip covers.
Durability: Leather is durable and can last for decades if cared for properly. Fabric upholstery is so advanced, on so many different performance points, that it is on par with leather when it comes to durability. High-performance upholstery fabrics like FibreGuard undergo textile tests in special laboratories to ensure that they’re durable and of consistent quality.
There is a winner (in our opinion)...
Looking at the comparison between the two, you’d think the choices are quite similar. But, what fabric upholstery offers over leather is better cost, greater choice in terms of appearance, and technology that makes stain clean-up significantly easier. Fabric upholstery now is much more durable and works in many different climates, even hot and humid areas. It’s soft, comforting and versatile.
Now that we’ve sparked your interest in fabric upholstery, step into our world to see the amazing technology and choices available in upholstery fabrics. Visit your local Home Fabrics showroom to explore the incredible fabrics we have on offer as well as learn more about FibreGuard’s stain-free technology. Our expert team will gladly share the exciting textures, colours and designs that’ll ensure your sofa is the greatest little haven in your home.
