Buying a genuine leather couch for your home probably seems like an amazing idea. Many people think that leather couches look fantastic.
They’re also very comfortable couches when you buy one that is made by a quality manufacturer. Of course, you likely want to buy a couch that will last for a long time as well.
Are leather couches considered to be durable? Or are they going to break down or get ruined faster than standard fabric couches?
Keep reading to examine this topic further. You’ll learn about how good or bad leather couches can be so that you can make a good decision about which type of couch is right for your home.
Leather Couches Are Durable
Leather couches are indeed durable. If you take care of a leather couch properly, it could last for a very long time.
In fact, some people say that leather couches have the potential to last for a lifetime. It all depends on the craftsmanship and how you care for the couch over the years.
In some ways, leather couches are more durable and easier to clean than fabric couches. In others, they can be more problematic.
One good aspect of leather couches is that they’re a bit resistant to water. If you spill something on a leather couch, it’s going to be fairly simple to clean it up.
These couches won’t get as dusty as many other types of couches either. This means that you won’t have to dust or vacuum them as often as you would other couches.
Leather is a material that is fairly resistant to wear. You can tear leather if you aren’t careful, but you should know to take normal precautions against such things.
Know the Difference Between Leather and Faux Leather
True leather couches are a lot more rugged than faux leather couches. Most will tell you that faux leather couches aren’t nearly as good as the real thing.
A high-quality leather couch has the potential to last four times as long as a faux leather couch. Real leather is also substantially more durable than fake leather material.
If you like the look of leather, it’s likely a good idea to get a real leather couch. The only caveat to this is if you’re opposed to leather due to being a vegan.
Some don’t like the fact that leather is an animal product. It simply comes down to your feelings on the matter.
There are good faux leather couches out there that can last for a long time. They just won’t last as long as comparable true leather couches.
You Need to Condition Leather Couches Annually
Once per year, you’re going to need to condition your leather couch. This can be done by creating a homemade natural conditioner.
Simply create a mixture using natural baby soap, vinegar, and water. Two drops of vinegar, a tablespoon of baby soap, and four quarts of water will be enough.
Apply this mixture to the couch using a microfiber cloth. Rub the mixture into the leather using gentle circular motions.
You’re not trying to soak the couch with the mixture. The idea is to condition the couch by applying the mixture to the leather.
If you do this once per year, it’ll keep the leather in good condition. You don’t want to do it more often than that since it’ll make the couch feel gummy.
You Do Need to Be Careful with Leather Couches
If you have kids that like to jump around on the couch, it might be better to go with a fabric sofa. Leather couches aren’t as forgiving when it comes to rough play.
You could easily rip or tear the leather by playing around too much on the couch. This is why many parents shy away from leather couches in favor of sofas that are more kid-friendly.
Depending on your situation, it might not be a great idea to get a leather couch. They are durable, but they can be damaged if you aren’t careful, and it’s not easy to fix certain things.
Leather Can Crack and Fade in the Sun
You want to keep your couch from getting too much sun exposure. If your leather couch is exposed to too much sunlight, it’s going to crack and fade.
This can be a real problem for leather sofas. As nice as they look, it can sometimes be a pain to keep them protected.
If you like to have a lot of natural sunlight in the living room, you’ll need to be sure to keep the leather couch away from direct sunlight. Failure to put the couch in a safe spot will lead to issues.
When you want your leather couch to stand the test of time, it’s better to keep it out of the sunlight. Depending on the situation in your living room, this might not be convenient.
Is Buying a Leather Sofa Worth It?
Only you can decide whether buying a leather couch is a worthwhile investment. It depends on what you’re looking for in a sofa as well as how much cash you have to spend.
Leather couches can be very comfortable and they look quite nice. They’re durable, but they can get damaged easier than fabric couches in certain situations.
Sunlight exposure can be a concern and the couches might rip or tear easier if kids play on them without being careful. For this reason, it might not be practical to have leather couches if you are a parent.
Pets might harm your leather couches, too, but they can also hurt fabric sofas. Overall, it’s mostly about being careful to protect the couch.
You should know that leather couches are generally more expensive than fabric couches. Often, you’ll wind up spending a thousand dollars more for a genuine leather couch.
Faux leather couches aren’t as costly, but they aren’t nearly as durable. It just comes down to what your expectations are and how much cash you have to utilize.
Owning a leather couch can be a great experience. So long as you condition it annually and take care of it, it’ll last for many years in your home.
I have two Associate’s degrees, one in Medical Assisting and the other in Computer Technician, and I am roughly five classes from a bachelor’s degree. Though I never ended up working in the medical field, I have five and a half years of experience in IT. I recently became a stay-at-home mom to my two young boys, and I’m so excited to start this adventure with them! In my spare time, I love to bake and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on.