Leather vs. Fabric Sofa: Which Should You Buy?

As the focal point of any living room, choosing the right sofa for your living space is a huge decision. Not only does it set the mood of the room, but the sofa you select can also be the difference between a cold, formal reception room and a cozy space that you'll enjoy winding down in at the end of a long day.

Along with color and style, sofa materials are one of the biggest considerations, especially when it comes to finding a piece that suits your style, living space, lifestyle needs, and budget.

However, a key point of contention for many homeowners during the purchasing process is whether leather vs fabric is the best choice. While both materials have their good points, the answer to this question isn't particularly straightforward and is likely to vary from home to home.

To help you make the right decision for your unique home, read on as we compare the benefits of fabric and leather sofas and cover some key points to keep in mind.

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Leather or Fabric Sofa

Struggling to choose between a leather and fabric sofa? Take these 5 factors into consideration during the shopping process to find the right piece for you.

1. Aesthetics

Leather sofas are sleek and elegant, making them the ideal choice if you're hoping to instill a sense of upscale sophistication into your living room. Their smooth, shiny surface creates a polished look, working well in everything from art deco to industrial style homes.

However, if you're going for a more relaxed or rustic vibe, leather sofas also come in a variety of textures and grains that give a more natural look. Some of the most popular options include:

• Full-Grain Leather: As it contains the entire grain, full-grain leather is the highest-quality grade available. However, full-grain leather sofas do absorb more moisture and dirt than other types.
• Top-Grain Leather: Although similar, top-grain leather is one step down from full-grain. While full-grain is left in its natural state, top-grain is sanded or buffed to remove any inconsistencies, making it more durable and stain-resistant.
• Corrected Leather: Choose a leather sofa made from corrected leather if you're going for a more contemporary feel, as this thicker, smoother type goes through a comprehensive sanding process that results in a uniform look.
• Bonded Leather: Leather couches made from a bonded material are generally among the cheapest, as they are produced from ground-up scrap leather combined with a bonding agent.
• Aniline Leather: Aniline leather uses soluble dyes to help show off the hide's natural textures, while creating a perfectly-colored sofa.
• Faux Leather: For plant-based users, faux leather makes a great alternative, despite being of a lower quality. It offers a good level of resistance to fading and is also more stain-resistant.

Fabric sofas come with an even wider selection, from breathable cotton and stain-resistant nylon to luxurious velvet or silk. They're also available with bold patterns, bright colors, subtle textures, or simple neutrals to allow for more creativity in your interior design choices.

2. Price

One of the main factors determining the cost of a leather vs fabric sofa is the specific material type used.

For instance, while fabric sofas are generally the more affordable option, luxury fabrics such as high-quality cotton and linen often come with a premium price tag.

Full-grain leather is more expensive than other types because it's produced from the best-quality hides. It takes longer to select hides with as few imperfections as possible, alongside a tight, intact grain structure. Faux leather sofas are therefore cheaper for the consumer due to a quicker manufacturing process and lower overall costs.

3. Durability

When it comes to durability, leather sofas tend to come out on top. Although their initial cost is higher, buying a leather sofa offers a better return on your investment, since they generally have a longer lifespan.

The tanning process used to make genuine leather makes it incredibly sturdy, meaning it can maintain its shape and last for years without sagging. However, they can fade more quickly when exposed to sunlight, so keep leather couches away from windows where possible.

Having a leather sofa is also a good option for those with children or pets as it won't show scratches or claw marks, even with plenty of heavy use or general wear and tear.

They're also much easier to clean with a damp cloth that quickly removes any dust mites, debris, and pet hair. Any food or drinks spillages won't seep into the material unlike fabric couches, thanks to leather's non-porous properties.

If you're thinking of purchasing a fabric sofa, but are worried about spillages, many modern materials, such as bouclé, have stain-resistant coatings that make maintenance much easier. Our Cone Sofa Bed is a great example that can be customized with a boucle soft white, black raven, or light gray material.

4. Comfort

Leather sofas are firm and take a while to break in, but become softer and more comfortable over time as they mold to your body shape. Leather furniture is also known for its ability to develop a patina as it naturally ages, giving your sofa its very own distinct, supple shine.

Fabric sofas are generally warm and cozy from the moment they're purchased. They can also often be customized to suit your specific comfort needs.

For example, choose a fabric couch with thick, plush cushions if you're hoping to kick back and relax at the end of the day, while getting that sink-in feeling. Alternatively, if back support is a priority, many fabric sofas offer firmer padding.

5. Weather

Leather is sensitive to high humidity and other extreme weather conditions as it can absorb moisture from the air. This makes it vulnerable to swelling over time, so a leather sofa may be a good option only if you live in a dry climate.

As they are less susceptible to changes in humidity, fabric sofas offer better suitability for all weather conditions compared to leather sofas.

Leather and Fabric Sofas: Which is the Better Choice?

So, which type of sofa material is best: leather vs fabric?

Leather sofas tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum, especially when it comes to purchasing genuine leather. However, they offer a more elegant, sophisticated look, especially if you're aiming to create a mid-century modern home. They're also more durable, but require greater care and attention in hot and humid climates.

Fabric sofas are best for a range of budgets, with various materials available at either end of the price spectrum. Fabric is also a more versatile choice, whether warm and cozy or sleek and minimalistic best describes your vibe.

Despite this, the fabric material type is more vulnerable to spillages and harder to clean, which can be a problem if you have children or pets.

The final choice between a leather vs fabric sofa ultimately depends on your stylistic preferences, budget, and practicality needs. Select a sofa that complements your home decor style and works well with the rest of your living room furniture.

Here at Viesso, our curated collection holds sofas from a variety of leather and fabric sofa brands, all of which align with our core eco-friendly, sustainable, quality, and affordable design values.

Browse our selection of modern sofa brands like sohoConcept, Nor111, Innovation Living, and Gus Modern today to find the perfect leather or fabric sofa for your living space.