Whether it’s on your couch, bed, or dining chairs, leather upholstery has become increasingly popular in recent years, and designers are finding plenty of new ways to use this versatile material. Not only does leather upholstery offer a luxurious, classic image, it’s perfect for both traditional and modern décor, meaning it’s easy to match it to your existing look, or to use it as the centrepiece for a whole new interior design. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose leather next time you are looking for upholstered items.
1. It’s easy to clean and maintain
Whether you have children, pets, or just plain messy people living in your home, your upholstery is going to suffer spills now and again. When it comes to leather, this is usually pretty easy to clean in comparison to fabric items. Many spills will often wipe straight off without leaving a mark. There are also some simple steps you can take to keep the leather looking its best, including:
- Regularly vacuuming or brushing the leather to remove dust
- Wiping the surface with a damp cloth to remove grime
- Plumping the seats, backs, and arm cushions regularly
- Using specialist leather wipes to shine the leather
- Turning reversible cushions on a weekly basis
These tips, along with manufacturer’s instructions, will keep your leather upholstery looking good for longer, with minimal effort on your part.
2. It looks good
Leather has an incredibly luxurious look, and when it comes to making a room looking cosy and welcoming, there’s nothing that compares to it. Because of its hard wearing qualities, it will stay looking good for longer than fabric, so an item such as a leather bed is a great investment for your bedroom. Because leather is usually sold in natural, neutral colours, it will also last throughout changes to your interior design. For example, if you decide to go from walls painted in rich, dark colours to a lighter look, your furniture and upholstery will still match and won’t need to be replaced.
3. It’s longer lasting
Fabric chairs can wear out quickly, and they often wrinkle and look old and unpleasant after just a few months. However, leather keeps its shape for so much longer, and with proper care and maintenance, can last for many years. It’s also much easier to repair small cracks and tears, allowing your furniture to look like new again. Investing in sturdy, quality leather furniture is often better than having to buy new items year after year, and can save you money in the long term.
4. It holds up to pets
Some pet owners are reluctant to splurge on a nice leather sofa if they have cats or dogs, but it can actually be better than fabric if you have indoor pets. For starters, it doesn’t absorb those pet odours, and fur can simply be brushed off the surface. Cats are also less likely to destroy leather, as they can’t sink their claws into it as well as fabric surfaces. If you’ve ever had a fabric sofa around your cat, you’ll notice that they like to dig and shred the surface of the furniture; something that’s much harder with leather.
Cats and dogs can leave small claw marks on furniture, but on most leather surfaces this is barely noticeable. There are many products on the market to protect your leather from damage, so look for a suitable product if you choose to let your pets climb on furniture.
5. It’s gender neutral
Interior design often caters for women, but doesn’t consider that men like to have a say too. Leather is often a good compromise, and can add a more masculine touch to a room than fabric upholstery. You’ll often see items such as leather sofas in bachelor pads too, as they hold up to all kinds of abuse and don’t need much cleaning.
When choosing upholstery, leather is suitable for all kinds of interiors, and it matches nearly any décor effortlessly. It’s the kind of material that never goes out of style, meaning you get more use out of it, and it becomes a true investment piece that’s used over and over again.
