Genuine Leather Couches South Africa: All You Need to Know

Featured item: Jagger Leather Modular Corner Couch

If you’ve started shopping around for a leather couch, chances are you’ve been confronted by a bunch of confusing jargon and conflicting info.

All you really want is a comfortable, good quality leather couch you can kick back on with your fam, friends or four-legged fans on a Saturday night, knowing it’s going to be there for the long haul.

And you don’t want to have to complete an Advanced Certificate in Leather Technology to get it.

We believe buying a good quality leather couch is one of the best furniture investments you can make. We also believe it should be a fun, rewarding, and stress-free experience where you know you’re investing in the best style and quality your hard-earned money can buy.

That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to cover everything you’d want to know when shopping for an authentic or ‘genuine’ leather couch, like:

• What does ‘genuine leather’ actually mean?

• What are the different types of leathers and leather finishes?

• What’s the best leather for sofas?

• How long does a real leather couch last?

• How to tell if a couch is made from real leather.

Ready to get your leather degree?

Just kidding. We’ll keep things as simple as possible so you can get back to the fun part of shopping for your new couch!

Before we get into some of the technical stuff, let’s just remind ourselves why it’s worth doing this homework in the first place…

Featured item: Jagger Leather Modular Corner Couch

What are the Benefits of Leather Couches?

Here are five of the top benefits of leather couches:

1. Great looks that are always in style

While trends in fabrics come and go, leather embodies an ageless sense of luxury and sophistication that never goes out of style. Besides the fact that a leather couch will effortlessly ‘own’ the room, leather’s natural style and feel makes it one of the most versatile upholstery materials, fitting in easily with most décor styles and colour palettes.

Featured item: Jagger Leather Modular Corner Couch

2. Low maintenance

Maintenance needs vary somewhat between leather types (suede is a little more high maintenance, for example), but overall, high quality leather couches are surprisingly easy to clean and maintain. All it takes is the occasional wipe down with a damp cloth or mild soapy water to remove dust, dirt or spills.

3. Pet & family friendly

Unlike most fabrics, leather doesn’t attract pet hair, making it naturally hypoallergenic. It’s also much less vulnerable to stains, odours, tears and punctures, making it one of the most pet and family-friendly upholstery choices around.

4. Amazing durability

The votes are in: there’s no beating leather in the durability department. Authentic leather lasts at least four times longer than most fabric types, and the best quality leather couches can last 20 years or more. An added advantage is that the best quality leathers only get better looking with age.

For a more detailed comparison, check out our post on Leather vs Fabric couches.

5. Incredible value for money

Top quality leather couches generally come with a higher price tag, but with the kind of durability they offer, combined with the other benefits above, it’s a worthwhile investment. You won’t find better value for money than a high-quality leather couch.

Featured item: Jagger Leather Modular Corner Couch

What is Genuine Leather?

The term ‘genuine leather’ can be a bit confusing since it can mean different things depending on where you’re shopping or what website you’re browsing.

In general, the term is used to classify items made using real leather sourced from animal hides, vs. faux leather which is a synthetic imitation of leather. In other words, genuine leather simply means the product is made using some form of natural leather.

However, just because it says genuine leather does not mean it’s good quality leather. In fact, if you see the physical label ‘genuine leather’ on an item, it usually means it’s made from inferior split leather (the layer that’s left when the more valuable, tough top grain layer has been removed). And in some cases, it’s not even made of 100% real leather, since it may be combined with leather offcuts, artificial materials and bonding agents.

In short, genuine leather really just means…technically leather.

But before you run away from the term ‘genuine leather’ altogether, remember that it’s often just used as a catchall phrase for authentic leather couches of all varieties.

Our advice?

• Be sure to read the detailed product description or ask the salesperson for specific details about the type of leather used on the product.

• Always ask the manufacturer or retailer what they mean by ‘genuine leather.’

• Don’t trust any deal that seems too good to be true. If a leather couch or lounge suite is priced way cheaper than similar products from trusted brands, it’s very likely inferior quality leather.

Featured item: Jagger Leather Modular Corner Couch

What Are The Different Types of Leather for Sofas?

The main types of leather couches in South Africa are Full Grain leather, Top Grain leather, Nubuck and Suede. We’ll also look at PU leather and Bonded leather which are sometimes used as a low-cost alternative.

Full Grain Leather

Full grain is the highest grade of leather available—essentially, the leather of leathers. ‘Grain’ refers to the tough, outermost surface of the cowhide (minus the hairs). In full grain leather, this durable and characterful layer is used fully intact, with no alterations or corrections made to the natural grain. Only the best quality hides are used for full grain leather, and it is hands-down the most beautiful, characterful and long-lasting leather around.

Top Grain Leather (aka Corrected Grain Leather)

Top grain leather uses the same upper layer of the hide as full grain leather, but in this case the natural grain (which may contain a higher number of irregularities) is sanded down before being embossed with a more uniform grain pattern. That’s why it’s often called ‘corrected grain’ leather. Since the toughest outer fibres have been removed, a thin finish coat is applied to provide some extra durability and stain resistance. This gives top grain more of a glossy, uniform look than full grain leather, and makes it slightly less soft and breathable. On the other hand, it’s still a very high-quality, durable upholstery leather that’s a little easier on the wallet.

Nubuck Leather

Nubuck is a type of top grain leather where the surface has been sanded down to provide a velvety texture, also called ‘nap’. While it has a similar feel to suede, Nubuck is a much better quality option for couches and other furniture since it offers the natural strength, flexibility and durability of the top grain layer. It is a little more vulnerable to water damage and stains—however, this is easy to remedy with a protective treatment like Leather Shield or LeatherGuard.

Featured item: Jagger Leather Modular Corner Couch

Suede (aka. Split Grain Leather)

When a cow hide is processed, it’s split into two main layers: the ‘grain layer’ (or top grain layer), and the ‘split layer’ (which may be split into further layers, depending on the thickness of the hide). Suede is made from the split layer, which is soft and stretchy, and has a ‘fuzzy’ texture on both sides. While suede certainly has a comforting feel and is a popular choice for many commodities, as an upholstery material it can be very high maintenance and does not offer great durability. If you like the feel of suede, you’ll be much better off opting for Nubuck or a synthetic version like microfibre (faux suede), which is a lot more durable and easier to care for.

Bonded Leather

Bonded leather is a combination of genuine leather and faux leather. Scraps of leather are combined with polyurethane, bonded to a backing layer, then embossed with an artificial grain. Most bonded leather contains as little as 10% real leather. It’s a good example of ‘waste not, want not’ and is useful for low-value items like notebook and phone covers, but you’ll definitely want to avoid bonded leather for your couch upholstery!

PU Leather (aka. Bicast leather)

PU leather is made from lower quality layers of split leather combined with a topcoat of polyurethane (plastic). The surface is then imprinted with an artificial grain to give the appearance of leather. PU leather is not a great choice on its own for couch upholstery, since it doesn’t offer the durability or comfort of authentic leather. However, it’s quite handy as a lower-cost alternative on couches with leather uppers.

What are Leather Uppers?

A couch with leather uppers will use high quality leather (full grain or top grain) on the parts of the couch that see the most contact, like the seats, backrests and arms. For the low-contact areas like the back and sides, a lower-cost alternative like PU leather, or other upholstery fabric is used. This method enables retailers to offer consumers a more affordable leather couch with all the main benefits of quality leather, without impacting the overall longevity of the couch.

What are the Types of Leather Finishes?

Aside from the grade of leather used on a couch, the look and quality of the upholstery is also affected by the finishing process used. We’ve already mentioned some of the artificial finishes like embossing that are used on lower quality leathers to achieve the ‘leather look’.

But what about colour? To achieve a rich and consistent look, leather is generally dyed in one of three ways:

1. Pigmentation is a process that’s usually used on mid to lower quality leathers and faux leathers, where a protective opaque coating, or pigment, is applied to the surface of the leather. This gives a very uniform colour and good resistance to scratches, dirt and stains, but also results in a harder, colder feel and a less natural look.

2. Aniline dying yields the richest, most natural results, and is only used on the highest quality full grain leathers (about 5% of all hides). The hide is soaked in a vat of organic dye which thoroughly stains the hide while retaining its natural softness and breathability. Aniline leather is often referred to as ‘naked leather’.

3. Semi-aniline dying is the most common process used on high quality leathers, particularly top grain. It combines the aniline dyeing process with a thin topcoat to provide uniformity and provide some protection from scratches and stains.

Featured Range: Leather Couches

What is the Best Leather for Couches?

Deciding on the best leather type for your couch or lounge suite depends on your individual and family style and priorities. Are you simply looking for the best quality, most durable leather? The most luxurious? Is easy maintenance or resistance to scratches a big concern? Let’s look at the top contenders in a few of these categories to help you figure out the best leather for your couch based on your particular needs.

What is the Most Durable Type of Leather for a Sofa?

If we’re simply talking quality and durability, then it’s safe to say that full grain leather wins, hands-down. Because it uses the best part of the best quality animal hides, it truly is the most naturally beautiful, softest and most durable leather option on the market. The only downside to full grain leather is that it’s somewhat vulnerable to oily stains and scuffs.

Then again, the odd scratch will only enhance its vintage look. Full grain leather truly ages like a fine wine—over time it becomes increasingly smooth and supple, and develops a subtle patina that only ups the charm factor.

Top grain leather also offers excellent durability at a slightly lower price tag. If you want the longevity of top grain or full grain but don’t have the budget, look at couches with leather uppers for a more affordable option.

What is the Most Luxurious Leather?

Most people will also agree that full grain is the most luxurious leather. (Need we mention that heavenly leather smell?) Because nothing is added or removed from the natural surface of the leather, it remains incredibly soft, naturally moisture-resistant and highly breathable, easily adjusting to the room and your body temperature to keep you in the ideal comfort zone.

Featured Item: Jagger Leather Modular Corner Couch with Ottoman

If you prefer a texture that’s a little warmer and more velvety, you might want to go for Nubuck. Just bear in mind that it’s a little more vulnerable to stains, so may be best for a lower traffic area if you have pets or kids.

What Type of Leather is Most Scratch Resistant?

With its synthetic protective finish, pigmented leather has the best resistance to scratching. If you want a leather couch for a high traffic area with kids or pets jumping on and off the furniture, and are also looking for a more affordable option, then pigmented leather is probably a good option to look at.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, semi-aniline full grain or top grain leather offers a higher quality alternative that will also provide good protection from stains and scratches, with better durability overall.

Featured Item: Jagger 2 Seater Leather Couch

How Long does a Genuine Leather Sofa Last?

If we’re talking about high quality genuine leather couches—in other words, those made with full grain, top grain, or high-quality leather uppers—you can expect your couch to last upwards of 15 or 20 years. Top quality full grain leather can easily last 25 years or more.

For lower quality leathers and faux leathers, the lifespan of the couch is more likely to be around 5 years, similar to an average fabric sofa.

Can Dogs Ruin leather Couches?

Let’s be real—a mischievous dog or puppy who sets his mind to it can probably ruin any good couch. But if you want to hedge your bets, leather is actually one of the most pet-proof upholstery options out there.

Here’s a few reasons why:

1. Unlike fabric, leather has no loose fibres for little nails to snag on and de-thread your couch in the process.

2. Leather doesn’t hold onto hairs or odours, and can’t be penetrated by fleas or other bugs, making it naturally hypoallergenic.

3. Leather is naturally moisture-resistant, helping it repel wet stains (and you can easily add more stain protection with Leatherguard).

4. While some leathers are more scratch-resistant than others, in most cases leather stands up well to scratches and scuff marks, which can be mostly wiped off or buffed out without too much trouble.

5. When Fido decides to roll around on the couch after covering himself in sand, mud, dust or—let’s face it—poop, it’s going to be way easier to clean off leather than almost any other kind of fabric!

For more of the nitty gritty, and some ideas on ‘couch petiquette’, check out our post on Leather couches and dogs.

How Much does a Genuine Leather Sofa Cost in South Africa?

As you’d expect, the cost of leather couches and lounge suites varies significantly depending on the type of leather used, as well as the quality of the design and craftsmanship.

For a high-quality leather 2-seater couch, you can expect to pay anywhere from R17000 to around R35000 for a full grain leather Chesterfield couch.

Leather tanning and processing is a long and complex process, and the best quality hides are in high demand. This explains why leather couches typically cost at least two or three times more than fabric couches.

But, since genuine leather couches last at least four times longer than fabric ones, you can do the math—investing in quality leather makes a whole lot of sense when you combine all the benefits of style, comfort and durability.

Featured Item: Jayhawk 3 Seater Leather Couch

How Can You Tell if a Couch is Real Leather?

Don’t believe everything a salesman or website tells you. Here are a few ways to tell if a leather couch is made from fake leather or the real deal:

• The look – Take a careful look at the surface grain of the leather. The artificial grain of fake leather will look completely uniform. Authentic full grain leather comes with imperfections and natural variations in the grain. With top grain and corrected leathers, there will be more uniformity, so you will likely need to check some of the other factors below as well.

• The feel – Real leather is naturally supple and flexible, and over time it will stretch without tearing. If you push down on real leather upholstery, it should have a natural ‘sink in’ feel to it. Fake leather feels more plastic, rigid and unforgiving.

• The smell - real leather has an unmistakeable smell, so don’t be shy—get those nostrils flaring! If you get a whiff of chemicals or it seems to smell like nothing at all, it’s a tell-tale sign that you aren’t brushing noses with the real McCoy.

• The price – real leather comes with a price tag, so don’t be fooled by low quality leather couches advertised as ‘genuine leather,’ or bargains that seem too good to be true. By all means, wait for a great Black Friday or other seasonal deal from a reputable retailer, but don’t be taken in by fly-by-night deals or false advertising from less than trustworthy sources.

• The label - Reputable companies like Cielo clearly label their products and will supply an Authenticity Certificate for the leathers used on their couches, on request. If a retailer won’t give you the clarity or guarantees you’re looking for, ask why.

Featured Range: Leather Couches

Genuine Leather Couches for Sale

At the end of the day, the best way to ensure you’re shopping the best selection of high-quality, genuine leather couches is to buy from a reputable retailer that’s trusted by hundreds of thousands of South Africans.

Cielo offers one of the country’s largest online ranges of genuine leather furniture, including couches, armchairs, lounge chairs, modular couches and lounge suites. Our genuine leather couches feature only the finest full grain and nubuck leathers.

Browse our contemporary genuine leather couch collection today, and be sure to watch out for our upcoming Black Friday specials for unbeatable value-for-money deals.