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Fabric vs Leather (When buying a couch)

There are a lot of furnishings available in the market that pose as decorative ornaments in a house and at the same time, serving a wide variety of purposes such as: a mere coffee table that can be a decorative centerpiece in the living room and a surface where you can place cups and plates at the same time; or an elegant bookshelf that acts at as room filler and an ornament as well. A couch is probably one of the most important pieces of furniture that every household should have. It is used to provide support to the back and arms of more than one individual.  When you choose the perfect couch that conforms to your needs and tastes, you will be surprised how much comfort and elegance a mere piece of fixture can bring.

There are different types of couches to choose from: the ‘love seat’ wherein it can accommodate a maximum of two people; chaise lounge, which only has one long armrest; ‘fainting couch’ which is partially backless or completely backless, and; the list goes on and on.

It may sometimes be a bit overwhelming to choose between a fabric couch and a leather couch, although both of these make beautiful home furnishings. First and foremost, there are a couple of things that you need to consider prior to placing an order.

These are:

1. Style - This pertains to the physical aspect of the couch that you are eyeing on. Does it come in your favorite shade? Are you more into patterns and prints rather than bold solid colors? Is it easy to accessorize? Asking yourself these questions will definitely make a huge impact on your decision making.
 

2. Price - If you already have an allocated amount of money for a couch, make sure to stick with that. There are lots of couches that are able to fit your budget, so make sure you visit online stores and actual stores to canvass for prices. The last thing you need is splurging on something that you’d regret eventually, or spending less on something that isn’t going to last for a long time.

3. Comfort - Fabric and leather covered couches are basically comfy. However, some people may develop an allergic reaction towards either. Make sure that you choose something that is cushiony and is hypoallergenic.

4. Ease of clean-up - If an area of your home tends to accumulate dust and is where you will be placing your couch, you should rather choose something that is easy to clean. Otherwise, you can just use special equipment to clean up the mess, although these may serve as added expenditures.

5. Sturdiness - Most couches come with a quite overwhelming price tag, so make sure that the one you choose will last you for the years to come.

6. Space - If your living room is really not that big, you may want to choose a couch that doesn’t ‘eat up’ all the space. There are a lot of slim couches which are perfect for areas with limited space.

And now, here are the pros and cons of fabric and leather couches:

Fabric Couch: Pros

  • Cheaper than leather.
  • Available in different styles, colors, and fiber combinations.
  • The covers can be taken off for deep cleaning.
  • Is cool against the skin regardless of the season.
  • Does not stick to bare skin.

Fabric Couch: Cons

  • Can be damaged due to sun bleaching.
  • Can easily be damaged if pets or animals sit on it.
  • Color of fibers can be damaged or altered due to washing detergents.
  • Some stains are impossible to remove and that you will need solvents to get it off.

Leather Couch: Pros

  • Extremely long-lasting.
  • Would not tear easily.
  • Does not accumulate dust particles, making it easy to clean.
  • Conforms to the natural contours of the body providing that comfy feeling.
  • Softens overtime.

Leather Couch: Cons

  • Absorbs room temperature, so it will make one feel extremely hot during the summer.
  • Bare skin tends to stick to it.
  • Genuine leather is expensive.
  • The color of the leather may get damaged once you attempt to remove a stain with a solvent or any other harsh cleansing agent.