We live in a modern era where practicability dominating all of the things we use and do. We want something such as furniture which is simple yet has a lot of functions. This time, we are talking about a leather sofa bed. Before we get into the leather area; what you need to consider and what you need to know; we are going to discuss about the sofa bed first. As we all know, the sofa is one of the important pieces of furniture in many houses. Nowadays, you can see that there are so many types and styles of the sofa. You can choose between modern, traditional, contemporary, or simple sofa. Not only that but the sofa also comes in all kinds of fabrics and colors so you can choose one which can give you comfortability and can complement your house decor or other furniture.
Things You Need to Know About Sofa Beds
Now, if you have a small house or apartment or you do not have a guest room but you still have to provide a place to sleep for your guest, the sofa bed is your answer. For those who do not know, the sofa bed is a piece of furniture which will serve as a normal sofa and can be converted into a comfortable bed for your overnight guest. The sofa bed is really practical because you only need a little space for it so you can still place other furniture at ease. Most of the sofa beds are also moderate so you do not have to spend so much money.
There are three types of sofa bed which you can find nowadays. The first type is the sofa bed with a foam mattress. This is the simplest and cheapest sofa bed. With this sofa bed, you can simply remove the cushion and then fold down the seating area to create a bed. However, this sofa bed cannot be used on a regular basis because of its poor durability. The second type the Clic-Clac sofa bed. This sofa bed will spring back when you click down backward and will set up the other half of the sofa bed together with the seating area. The last type is the futon sofa bed which is similar to the second type. The difference is that this futon sofa bed has visible wooden or tubular steel frames. This futon sofa bed is more suitable to be in bedrooms rather than in living rooms.
Lastly, the sofa bed can be made of many sets of materials including cotton, polyester covers, suede effect, or leather. Now, we are going to discuss the leather sofa bed. If you want to know more detail about the leather couch bed, then you better keep on reading this article.
What is Leather?
Before we step further into the discussion about the leather sofa bed, you need to know a few things first about leather. For those who do not know, real leather is a kind of natural product. It is warm, durable, and has many individual characteristics which will make each of them unique. Also, leather material will always bear the marks of its natural origin. The marks are shown as scratches, growth marks, areas of differing fiber density, and hair pore structure. A method which is commonly referred to as tanning or the curing of animal skins creates leather. The tanning will only produce one quality of tanned upholstery leather. It is the reason why leathers have different prices because of the cost of the various finishing processes which are applied after the tanning.
For your information, the majority of the leather used in the manufacture of upholstered furniture comes from the skins of cattle which are known as hides. Leather is classified by grades. This is why there are some customers who are confused because they think that the more expensive the leather, the better the quality. In fact, that is not the case. Different types of leather have their own values.
Things to Consider Before Buying Leather Couch Beds
Now, we finally get into the exciting part. Yes, you see just right. You need to kind of give some serious thought before you go and buy the leather sofa bed. As we have implied before, leather upholstery is expensive because of the whole process. That is why you need to consider these few things so that you will not regret it later on. The first thing which you need to consider is whether the leather couch bed fit with your house style. Not only you need to consider whether it will fit the style, but you also need to consider which room and the size. You also need to choose the leather furniture which can withstand wear and tear.
The next thing you need to consider before buying the leather sofa bed is the price. As the leather couch bed is one of the most expensive investments, you need to consider the grade, quality, process style, hide, and basic construction. Unlike normal fabrics, the leather will last longer. That is why when you buy the leather couch bed, you are also buying quality.
The last thing to consider before you buy the leather sofa bed is the material. You need to make sure that the material you are buying is worth it. The reason is that when you buy leather furniture, you are not only spending a lot of your money but you will also have to spend more money to maintain the sofa bed. That is why you need to be able to recognize whether the sofa bed is made from top grain leather or it is mixed with some types of vinyl.
Those are some explanation about the sofa, sofa bed, and also the leather sofa bed. If you still have some doubts, you need to dive further in into leather upholstery so that you can ensure yourself that you buy the right thing. One wrong move and you will mess everything up.
Choosing between Leather and Fabric Sofas: Pros and Cons
Investing in a new sofa is a significant decision as it often serves as the centerpiece of a living space.
While visiting different sofa stores and testing out various cushions is simple, determining the specific features you want in a sofa and its fabric can be puzzling.
Not to worry, as we have a straightforward guide to assist you in evaluating which type of sofa best suits your needs – leather or fabric?
Leather Sofas
Pros of Purchasing a Leather Sofa:
- Durability of leather sofas
Compared to fabric sofas, leather sofas typically have a longer lifespan. Their durability allows them to withstand wear and tear, making them an ideal investment for households with young children.
The robust nature of leather prevents fading or fraying, ensuring that it maintains a new look even after many years.
- Low maintenance
One of the advantages of leather sofas is their ease of maintenance, usually requiring only a quick wipe with a cloth. In case of spills, the natural properties of leather act as a barrier, preventing long-term staining.
For households with young children or messy eaters, a leather sofa is convenient as crumbs can be easily brushed off without becoming embedded in the fabric.
Many people opt to purchase a care kit for their leather sofa, typically consisting of a cloth and protection cream, to maintain its appearance. This straightforward task only needs to be done occasionally.
- Suitable for Allergies
Leather sofas are ideal for individuals with allergies as they do not trap dust mites, pet hair, or other allergens as fabric sofas do. The durable material prevents dust from settling into the cushions, reducing the risk of inhaling allergens while relaxing on the sofa.
For families with allergies or asthma, choosing a leather sofa for easy cleaning and maintenance could be the best option to minimize reactions and the need for frequent vacuuming.
- Natural Material
Unlike synthetic materials, leather is derived from the curing of animal hides, known as tanning. As a natural product, leather retains its original markings, ensuring that each piece is completely unique.
Due to its natural properties, leather becomes softer and more supple over time, explaining why many people retain their beloved leather sofas for decades.
Cons of Purchasing a Leather Sofa:
- Cost
A quick online search reveals that leather sofas tend to be generally more expensive. However, different grades of leather, such as full grain, top grain, and split grain, are available at varying price points, reflecting post-tanning treatments, quality, and texture. While faux leather is an alternative for a similar appearance at a lower price, it does not offer the same quality or durability as genuine leather.
- Limited Variety
Traditional perceptions of leather sofas often revolve around a limited color palette of black, white, and brown. While leather sofas are available in other colors, they are less common than fabric sofas, particularly in terms of patterns.
This limited variety can make it challenging to find a unique sofa. However, many individuals view leather sofas as investment pieces and prefer more neutral colors, as they can redesign the room around the timeless piece over time.
- Leather sofas can get scratched quite easily.
It’s important to consider the potential hazards that leather sofas may face on a daily basis as they can be easily scratched. If you have pets that enjoy climbing on furniture, choosing a leather sofa might concern you.
As mentioned previously, many scratches can be polished out, but you could also perceive them as a natural part of aging or use a throw as a protective layer.
Related link: Stylish ways to pet-proof your home
- Your skin can stick to the leather sofa
We’re all familiar with the sensation of getting in or out of a sweaty leather car seat on a hot summer day; it’s not a sensation you’d want to experience at home. While our homes typically don’t get that level of sun exposure, it’s worth noting that skin can stick to leather. For most people, this isn’t an issue, but if you’re considering the sofa for a conservatory or sunroom, it’s worth considering how comfortable it would be on a hot summer day.
In contrast, leather also retains cold, so it may feel chilly when you first sit on it in winter. If your house maintains a fairly consistent temperature, this may not affect you much, but it’s something to think about!
Tip: Use a throw in the summer to prevent the “peeling off” effect!
Fabric Sofas
Buying a new sofa: Pros of purchasing a Fabric Sofa
- Wide range of sofas
Fabric sofas are available in a vast array of styles, colors, patterns, and fabrics, making it easier to find one that suits your home and interior style. People often find a sofa they love and then use it as the focal point to build their room’s style around.
The abundance of choices can sometimes be overwhelming! It’s worth determining the room style and colors you’re looking for before you start shopping to help narrow down your options!
- Cost-effective
Fabric sofas are generally less expensive than leather sofas, making them a good option when you’re on a budget. If you have a young family, you might feel that it’s not worth paying a lot for a sofa that will likely get damaged in a few years, so opting for a fabric sofa may be easier on the wallet.
- Comfort level
Fabric sofas are generally considered to be more inviting and comfortable than leather. As mentioned earlier, leather adjusts to temperature, whereas fabric has a consistently warm feel to it. Fabric also tends to feel soft to the touch from the beginning and doesn’t need to be broken in, which can be the case with some leather sofas. Fabric sofas are relatively easy to maintain, as you can easily plump up the cushions to retain their shape. The design of some leather sofas often prevents this, which can make them look misshapen if enough support isn’t built in.
- Washable seat covers
While fabric sofas tend to absorb spills, many of them come with removable covers that can be machine-washed when needed. Some fabrics may require professional cleaning, but either way, this offers a reassuring option for getting rid of dirty marks or simply giving them a thorough clean!
Buying a new sofa: Cons of owning a Fabric Sofa
- Traps dirt and dust
A fabric sofa is more likely to trap dust and dirt, and simply brushing it off may embed them further into the material or design features.
This can result in the sofa looking untidy if it’s not vacuumed regularly, and no matter how often you shake out the cushions, the trapped dust will affect those with allergies more than a leather sofa.
- Prone to staining
Fabric sofas are not stain-resistant unless treated, and they tend to soak up anything spilled on them. While there are upholstery cleaning products available, the disappointment that usually ensues when they don’t work as effectively as expected can be disheartening. If there’s a high risk of this in your home, we’d recommend choosing a patterned or camouflaging color to minimize the visual impact if it does occur.
- Fabric Sofas can retain odors
After changing into comfy clothes, getting the popcorn ready, and preparing for a movie night, the last thing anyone wants to discover is that their lovely sofa still smells like the curry from three days ago!
Although this may seem like an extreme scenario, fabric sofas are more likely to absorb strong odors compared to leather sofas. Therefore, if you smoke or have an open living space where lingering food odors could be an issue, it’s important to consider this when making your decision.
Fabric sofas are less prone to marking than leather sofas, so you don’t have to worry as much about scratches from pets or children. However, if you have cats that like to scratch, they can easily damage fabric sofas by pulling on the loose thread loops.
One suggestion is to choose a fabric that doesn’t have loose threads for them to pull at. For example, velvet seems to be less attractive to cats, and they can’t pull at it in the same way they would with woven fabric.
If you’re looking to invest in a durable sofa, choosing a leather sofa may be beneficial in the long run. However, if you are on a budget or want a sofa that complements your decor, a fabric sofa might be the better choice due to the wide range available.
We have conducted surveys on social media in the past, and it seems that people have strong preferences for one type of sofa or the other, whether due to practical reasons or style.
Both types of sofas have their own advantages and disadvantages, so the ultimate decision depends on your personal preferences. It’s important to research, consider your key factors, and try out as many sofas as possible!