Fabric or leather furniture? Help me decide.

Definitely leather for us. First had leather sofas when the children were small, we chose the ones DH fell asleep on in the showroom. Easy to clean and always looked good, even though they were cream. Current ones are 3 years old, look like new. We also have 2 Ekornes Stressless chairs in another room, we've had them donkey's years & they're SO comfy. Not tempted to revert to fabric.

"As you say, leather is cold in winter or between seasons & sticky in summer. "
As counsel for the defence of leather furniture I can produce numerous friends witnesses who will affirm that their bottom has been neither cold or sticky when seated on my leather sofa. I use no throws on it - just a couple of cushions and it looks as good as it did over 10 years ago when I bought it.

Practically all leather nowadays has a plastic coating. I'd go for fabric, but loose covers which could be cleaned. If you buy IKEA there are several online companies which make covers to exactly fit their sofas; my Stocksunds have teal velvet replacements for the original sludge brown.

I have both. A leather sofa which I wipe over every week with a cloth and warm water. A chair and matching footstool which I had scotch guarded before it was delivered . I have a cat who has damaged the chair and stool a bit but not the sofa.

I have had the chair and stool upholstery professionally cleaned once in the last 5 years, brought it up well. Sofa is wearing well and leather is comfortable and not hot/cold . Material also very comfy so personal taste really.

I remember buying a yellow sofa because my lads were teenagers thinking now they older I can buy these things. When it came it looked lovely and I could wash the covers etc. Was so excited and I said to my lads no shoes etc, blanket for our dog to sit on so no dirty paws. I sat down after hard day at work with my coffee and yes you guess it. Coffee slipped out my hand all over my new sofa lol. I’ve stuck to leather since then. Yes it’s cold in winter and sticky in summer but I have a blanket down. Grandkids can make as much mess has want it’s easier to wipe.

I have leather car seats an wear a skirt. When the back of my bare legs touch the seat it's too hot or too cold initially then I have to peel off. Now sit on a towel

Fabric! Leather is cold and slippery and I don't enjoy remembering where it comes from originally....but then I am a vegetarian........I hope you can end up with something you will enjoy. We just got a beautiful velvet covered sofa and love it!

Always leather for me as I think it lasts much longer especially if like me your apt to spill things.
Many companies offer a care and repair package that covers against stains, rips etc for about £160.
There are different grades of leather so worth discussing this.
I went to a well known store local to me rather than the bigger stores that are scattered around the country, and found the service excellent.
Take your time, and read the reviews.

I have never had leather furniture as I find it uncomfortable and cold. However it is practical but seeing the number of very nice, newish leather sofas offered on Freecycle tells me that for many people buying leather furniture was a mistake.

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.

I always had fabric until 4 years ago when I changed to leather. You do have to be careful on the quality of leather. The one I have has a 5 year guarantee.Good leather does not need any treatment, only a regular dust or a wipe with a damp cloth to remove any mess dropped on it. Yes,initial seat can seem cold but only for a few seconds. In winter if room is warm, so is a leather seat. Wouldn't go back to fabric, all the cleaning and worry about stains just not worth it.

Car seat leather is different to sofa leather, in my experience anyway. Buying good quality leather sofas from reputable dealers will never slip or feel cold. Certain furniture stores I would avoid like the plague- especially those which always seem to have a sale on - if you know what I mean!

We have leather. I am dismayed by damage to one sofa (we have 3 leather sofas) by our cats, but then cats love to scratch fabric furniture. We are vegetarians and only chose our leather furniture when we discovered that the lower grade leather is a by product of the meat industry, so would exist without the furniture. The higher grades come from animals that are bred and killed purely for their skin.

Our leather is not cold or slippy. In fact, it’s very comfortable.

Leather furniture every time - faux fur or fleece throws make it cosy. In fact I always wear leather when out with one particularly friend because I know her drink or food will somehow end up on me - she’s very messy ? beats the log-flume poncho ?

Ps just paid a lot extra to have leather seats in new car but worth it.

I like leather if it is good quality but DH hates it so we tend to have fabric. You can get a mix of fabric and leather with leather on the arms which are the areas that can get dirty. Suede effect fabric, usually microfibre is good and easy to clean.

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.

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!).

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 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!

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!

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 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!!

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.

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