The sofa is the first spot you want to sit on when you come home. It is where you entertain your family and friends when they come to your house. This humble piece of furniture is the highlight of your living room, which is why shopping for a new one is a major design decision. There are a lot of options in the market, but homeowners are usually torn between buying leather or a fabric sofa.
It’s time to end this sofa shopping dilemma. If you are on the hunt for the perfect sofa for your living room, consider the following factors:
What is more comfortable to sit on?
Both leather and fabric sofas set a good vibe in your living room but sit on them to feel the difference. The temperature of the room affects how comfortable the sofa is. In fact, leather heats up faster than fabric. So, when your living room gets a lot of sunshine, a fabric couch would be a wiser choice. The temperature of a fabric sofa’s surface feels more pleasant inside a warm room.
The type of fabric is also an important choice to make. Linen is the most breathable and most comfortable fabric used to cover sofas and couches. It remains comfortable when the room is warm and cold.
Body temperature also influences how comfortable the sofa is. Leather sofas and chairs leave you feeling warm and sweaty after sitting on it for a long time. To make this exquisite and expensive piece of furniture more comfortable, keep the temperature in your living room stable.
What is more durable and low-maintenance?
Buying a new, high-quality sofa costs you more than a thousand dollars. When you buy a piece of expensive furniture, you expect it to last for a long time. Of course, you need to clean and maintain your sofa to ensure it looks great as time passes by.
When buying a sofa, choose the one that’s durable and low-maintenance.
Leather sofas are tough, stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean.
The ease of cleaning and maintenance of fabrics, on the other hand, varies depending on the type of fabric. Microfibre and velvet sofas are the easiest to clean and sanitize.
Will the colour fade?
Not all fabrics are created equal. Some are more resilient to discolouration than others. Also, the fabric on your sofa fades faster, especially when the sofa is near a window and receives direct sunlight.
If you want a bright and bold coloured sofa, choose one that uses fabrics blended with polyester. The colours of this fabric last longer than others.
Also, a leather sofa’s colour lasts longer than a fabric sofa. The colour still fades, but you can restore its former beauty using a recolouring balm.
What impression am I making?
Both fabric and a leather sofa gives your living room a lovely aesthetic. Fabric sofas make a room look more fun and contemporary. On the other hand, leather sofas make a room feel more classic and timeless.
How to make your living room look and feel extravagant
What is more hygienic?
The easier it is to clean the sofa, the more hygienic it is. Fabric sofas easily accumulate dust and dirt. This is a major concern, especially when someone in the family suffers from allergic rhinitis. If you want a fabric sofa, make sure to vacuum and clean it regularly.
Unlike a fabric sofa, a leather one doesn’t accumulate a lot of dust, mites, pet dander, and other allergens. You still need to clean the sofa to preserve its beauty.
Is buying new furniture a part of my budget?
The cost of these two sofas varies depending on the quality of the materials used, the craftsmanship, the designer, and the brand of the furniture. You can buy them from online stores or from brick and mortar stores like IKEA. You can also have them customised.
So, which one do you prefer?
Before you choose a sofa for your new living room, consider your home’s conditions and your needs and priorities at home. A good sofa is comfortable, durable, easy to maintain, and lasts for a long period of time.
Of course, choose a sofa that also elevates the overall aesthetic of the room. Check out our design gallery for more images of the sofa and lounges that might suit your home interior.