Fabric or leather furniture? Help me decide.

For practical reasons I would buy leather. Easy to clean and if its good quality looks great too.

Leather sofas and easy chairs remind me of gentlemen’s clubs!

I would rather have fabric. Leather too cold, too sticky and makes rude noises when you move....

If you buy cheap sofas whatever they are covered with is likely to wear I think as it will be part of the purchase price.

But I realise I don't know much about buying them as we have chosen to re-cover our sofa that was 2nd hand in 1950 when my parents bought it!

They now make performance fabrics which clean up easily and are very soft feeling. I have a white velvet sofa with performance fabric and spills have easily cleaned up. Also,have a quality leather sectional that is very comfortable, too. If you prefer fabric, I suggest you go with performance fabric.

We bought expensive leather sofas from Marks and Spencer’s, after 3 year the coloured faded and actually went in holes. Even though they were guaranteed for 5 years they wouldn’t do anything about them .

I have both types. The fabric is the most comfortable.

If you buy leather, buy good quality furniture, not the cheap thin leather veneer type. We have 2 leather chesterfield sofas which we have had for about 45 years now. Yes, we did get the cushions re-covered a few years ago, but they have survived 2 children, 5 grandchildren, numerous parties etc. and still look amazing. They cost a lot at the time, but have been worth every penny. British made, I think. Better for the environment too if they last this long!

I can’t stand leather either. My ex went out and bought two horrible brown shiny leather sofas without consulting me and when they arrived I stuck to my guns and my lovely blue and white striped fabric sofa which was twenty five years old. His leather sofas were slippy and he couldn’t stretch out in them without the cushions sliding off onto the floor. We split and he kept his leather horrors which now look flat and saggy whereas my fabric sofa is still plump and comfy. I know that’s more to do with quality than covering but it just reinforces my dislike of them.
On the other hand my granddaughter bought a couple of secondhand suede or nubuck sofas and they are rather nice. Obviously very expensive when new and not slippy or sticky at all. I still wouldn’t want them myself though.

I have a combo. Part leather and part fabric. Lovely.

Uggg leather furniture is tacky.

Washable heavy cotton loose covers here. One of my sofas is pale yellow but even the blueberry stain made by a little Gds washed out perfectly.
They were made to measure by Plumbs and I must say I was very pleased with them. The cushion covers come off very easily for washing and dry quickly. And go back on easily, which is not always the case - several times I’ve had to apply brute force and ignorance for an elderly neighbour who can’t even begin to manage it.

I bought two leather sofas when we moved three years ago . I got rid of one as I couldn’t bear sliding off it all the time. We now have a fabric one for us and the dog gets the leather one. The grandchildren are pretty careful when they visit. So far so good!

we have leather now 7 years old yes its cold in winter and hot and stickey in Summer, there is just the two of us and i am noticing the odd mark where its now white instead of black and desoite reuglar cleaining and using a leather polish the arms are creasing and going hard hope tis helps

Generally when I sit on our leather furniture I wear pants!!

Every time I’ve sat on leather furniture in showrooms and then got up I’ve suffered from static, i.e. my clothes cling to me as I get up. I wanted to have leather furniture at one time but gave up on the idea because of this and went with a corduroy style instead which I’ve been very happy with.

for me leather all the way.... lasts so much more and not fading like some fabrics from very expensive brand we had.. plus so easy to clean

I have leather after a lovely William Morris linen pattern suite. It was a daily chore putting the cushions straight and a horrid job removing the base and back cushion covers that could be washed and worse, trying to get them back on careful not to damage the zips. Now with leather and a less busy household. I have lined the base of the more used seats with light mats and have sheepskin rugs at back so happy and comfortable. Leather armchair was from top notch shop and looks as good as day got. I had to return a cream colour one as developed a small split (teenage party?) and also was inclined to pick up blue dye from denim.

I agree with NonoGran, if you buy a fabric suite have it treated with stain protection. I accidentically tipped a whole bowl of tomato soup over our suite that we'd only had for about two weeks (I know I should have been sitting up the table)! And it wiped off wonderfully leaving no stain whatsoever. We previously had a cream leather suite. I didn't find it cold but it was a bit sweaty in summer. We look after our 3 1/2 year old granddaughter
two days a week and I cover it with a throw but, so far, I'm the only one to spill anything!!

Honestly I think the thing that makes the difference is the quality. If you'd like leather go for it but make sure it is really real and of a texture you like - if it is good stuff it will age gracefully. Same for fabric too. Don't be too mean, don't be too flash.

I spend my life waiting for the GC to grow up but then along comes another one! I have old fabric sofas. Trodden on, wee'd on and washed. I have plastic bags inside to protect the sponge. They make a crinckly noise when you sit down BUT I will be buying fabric again shortly as I can't wait any longer as new GS is only 3 months old. Leather is serviceable but cold. I don't even have it on car seats. Cold morning, cold bottom!

I would stick to fabric with grandchildren coming around.

I would also choose furniture from one of the Ikea ranges that has a basic couch and chairs that you choose loose covers for. They come in a variety of colours and patterns, and are washable and you could either now or later by an extra set of covers.

The washing instructions say they should not be dried in a dryer, but I have done so without the covers shrinking. Drying them outside the week before Christmas didn't seem a sensible idea to me!

Greciangirl

Oh how I wish I hadn’t got rid of my lovely leather sofa.

I got bored with it and decided to go for a fabric recliner one.
Big mistake, as it now looks a dirty shade of brown and it doesn’t clean up nicely at all.
If ever I buy new furniture again, it will be leather.

If you have cushions with zips you can take the covers off and wash them, even if it says not to wash them we have found if you use a cold wash they come up nice and clean.

I'd go for velvet or leather, but not crushed or very plush pile velvet as they crush. Also I think IKEA sofas are very good, extra covers can be bought and some of their leather ones are really great. Our IKEA leather ones lasted for well over 20 years in a house with four children and you can cover up any scratches with the right colour of polish (or a felt tip!).

If you care about the environment you would not buy a leather one as the leather industry is far more polluting and toxic than the textile industry. The most environmentally friendly is to buy vintage - we have a mid century Danish sofa which has been reupholstered and is super stylish.