Leather Couches versus Fabric Couches: Which Couch to Buy?

Featured item: Couches

Apart from your bed, if there’s one item of furniture that’s going to radically affect some of the things you enjoy most about being home—vegging, napping, socialising, gaming, binge-Netflixing (yes, it’s a real verb) it’s your couch. So you want to choose wisely. Deciding between a leather couch and a fabric couch is a bit like choosing between a trip to Paris vs. a jaunt down the Garden Route.  While the one may sound a whole lot sexier, the choice isn’t necessarily that clear-cut, because it always comes down to context—who’s going along for the ride? What’s your time-frame? And of course the boring one…budget.

When it comes to picking out furniture, everyone has different priorities, and you need to focus on what’s important to you, and potential Future You—you know, the one who may just end up with twice as many family members, pets, and a possible sudden onset of fur allergies… A couch is a long term investment, and it needs some thought. Of course, that’s why you’re here. Future You thanks you for stopping by. (Future You would also like to thank you in advance for booking that way overdue dental check-up). 

Use our handy star grading system below as a starting point. We’ll help you do the math to figure out if a leather or fabric couch should be your destination of choice. 

Featured item: Emerson Leather Couch

Looks

There’s no shame in admitting that it’s all about the looks – at least when it comes to your furniture! Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But as far as we can tell, the majority of eyes agree that leather exudes a sense of ageless beauty, elegance and sophistication (maybe it’s that heavenly leather smell), which is why it never goes out of style. Leather just owns the room, and with its natural feel, it can get in the groove with just about any décor style.  In short, leather is the Marilyn Monroe of couches. 

We’re not saying fabric couches can’t be drop dead gorgeous. They’re just a bit more like celebrity beauty trends that come and go. Fabrics obviously come in a much wider range of colours, textures, weaves and patterns, which makes it easy to get creative. But they can also date quite quickly.  If you’re after more longevity, then it’s best to stick to pure, neutral colours, and rather use cushions and throws to add a little pizazz and change things up now and then. Unlike leather, fabric couches can often be reupholstered at a much lower cost than replacing the entire thing, if it’s time for a full makeover. If you’re after elegance in something other than leather, a velvet couch is a perfect way to add a sense of luxury and textural contrast that will take any living room up a few notches, ready for tea with the queen. Most other fabrics tend to lend a more casual, relaxed feel to the room, which may be just your cup of tea.   

Comfort  

While leather sure has staying power when it comes to changing fashions, it can also have a less desirable kind of ‘stickability’, particularly in hot weather. It can also feel cold to the touch when things are chilly. It’s not that leather is inherently warmer or colder, it simply reflects the room temperature, or adjusts to the bums sitting on it (it used to be an animal hide, remember, which means self-regulating).  So if you want the most comfy leather experience, a climate-controlled living room is the way to go.  

Fabric couches just have the knack for feeling cosy and come-hither-ish. 100 % linen fabric is a classic and popular choice for its breathability and great insulating qualities which keep it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It also gets softer with every wash. 

Of course, how comfortable the couch feels overall will depend on the quality and design of the frame and the cushioning. The only real way to prevent your couch going from that great ‘sink in’ feeling to that horrible ‘sinking feeling’ is to buy quality, and avoid cheap mass-productions.  

Maintenance & Pet-friendliness

It’s not hard to figure out that the smooth surface of leather makes for an easier cleaning job than fabric – it’s almost like tile floors versus carpets. Leather usually only needs a bit of dusting and a quick (and timely) wipe for a spill. And there’s no danger of hairs and odours hanging around, which is great news for pets. Of course, you’ll want to avoid a full-frontal clawing attack by Mr. Bigglesworth, but light scratches can usually be buffed out—and besides, they only add to your leather’s vintage look.  Because leather is organic, it will need the occasional moisturising treatment (even cows need their day at the spa), but it’s pretty easy to do, and well worth it to keep your couch looking spiffy. 

Different fabrics obviously require different levels of cleaning, but overall you’ll probably need a little more elbow grease than with leather, especially if you have kids and pets around. If you’re worried about stains, it’s best to buy specially treated fabric, and opt for removable cushion covers that can be dry-cleaned when life throws its little accidents your way.  

Price

For a lot of people, price may be the main factor in opting for a fabric couch over leather. Price tags for quality leather couches definitely equate to an investment, while a decent quality fabric couch can get you going with something more affordable.  On the other hand, when you buy good quality leather, you can be sure you’re getting your money’s worth, which is a pretty rare thing in this day and age.  

Durability

To repeat, when it comes to leather, you get what you pay for. High-quality leather is known to last at least five years longer than fabrics, and the best quality ones can last as long as 20 years. Not only is leather more stain and tear-resistant, but leather cushions stay firmer and hold their shape better than fabric ones. They also tend to mellow and look better with use, while fabric tends to fade and lose its integrity over time, especially with the forces of small humans and the paw patrol in play. All fabrics are tested and graded for their ‘rub rate’ which literally means how many times a fabric can be rubbed before it starts to wear out (we can only imagine the carpet burn and RSI’s in the days before automation) so it’s good to go for a rating over 25 000 if you want your upholstery to last.  Wash and wear slipcovers can also add a few years to your fabric couch’s life.

For a wide range of high-quality leather couches, classy fabric couches and stunning lounge suites, Cielo is here to help you make the right choice to keep you and Future You on great terms. Happy hunting!