Leather, or not leather? That is a common question when it comes to furniture shopping. You may have wondered this yourself. Choosing leather furniture is more a matter of taste than anything else. But there are pros and cons to leather that you may not have thought of.
Leather wears the longest out of all the furniture coverings. Leather wears five times longer than traditional upholstery. Not only does it last long time, but it also cleans up quite easily. Running a damp rag over most spills is usually all you need.
In our society, leather has a reputation of class and sophistication. Leather has a very distinguished, rich look that can dress up any space. Some people may buy leather just to tell others they have leather furniture. Leather, like diamonds or expensive cars, is engrained in our subconscious as luxurious and a sign of high status.
But there are some drawbacks to choosing a piece of furniture in leather. Leather can be quite expensive depending on the quality. Even though it will last a very long time, it may not be in your budge or you may simply just not want to spend that much money on a piece of furniture. Leather can also require some maintenance. If you purchase high quality leather, you want to get the most out of it you possibly can. Using leather conditioners and other products exclusively made for leather products would be a great idea to keep your leather looking brand new. But that also requires time and extra money.
Leather also has the so-called “hot/cold” factor. If your sofa or chair is going to be in direct sunlight, it can get very hot and burn your skin. If you keep your house cool, the leather will remain cool. If your skin comes into contact with the cold or hot leather you better be prepared or you could get a shock.
Again, leather is a matter of personal taste. You may purchase a leather piece of furniture and love it and never go back. Or you may decide that it’s not for you and stick with what you know. When it comes to shopping for furniture go with comfort first, then you can worry about the rest! Happy shopping!
-Jamie, Lansing Furniture
