Leather or Fabric? How to choose the most suitable upholstery option.

Very often clients find themselves in a dilemma when it comes to choosing the right upholstery for their homes/office interiors. The finish of a furniture piece; Sofas, chairs etc. has a direct influence on the ambiance of the space it is situated in. Before choosing your upholstery, consider the overall style of your home/office, your lifestyle and the function/activities to be carried out in the space.

The two major categories of upholstery are leather (original leather, faux leather, vinyl, velvet/suede etc.) and Fabric (Cotton, polyesters, wool, silk, linen etc.)

Leather is made from animals. It is manufactured using different processes, each of which results in a different look, feel and quality. Protected leather is the most commonly used leather for furniture. It is softer than other types of leather but more durable. Leather is incredibly practical but allows limited creativity. Good leather upholstery represents high end luxury. The main benefit of leather upholstery are that it is easy to clean and stays dust free. If you are one that loves to host activities at home that involve eating and drinking, leather might be a good option because it resist stains, scuffs and scratches. The climate you live in too helps narrow your choice: People in hot climates will not feel comfortable using full leather upholstered furnishing. Faux leather is synthetic leather that offers almost all the benefits of leather but comes at a slightly cheaper price hence it is preferred for low budget commercial projects.

Fabrics are made from natural fibers produced from plants or animals and sometimes man made. Silk is perfect for a formal sitting room where the sofa needs to be elegantly stylish but is not so functional and very hard to maintain. Wool gives an attractive finish and is more durable but its relatively high cost makes it a rare choice for sofas. Linen is also a good choice for formal settings, though cotton provides a more durable alternative.

Natural fibers may be visually appealing but are more prone to staining and fading than blended and synthetic fabrics, which are man-made. These man made options include: microfiber, which is cheap, durable and resistant to pet hairs (good for people with allergies) Chenille, which looks elegant but is tougher than other fabrics; and acrylics, which appear similar to wool however they are more affordable, durable and have high resistance to stain. If you are looking for a very warm, homely feel for your space then Fabric upholstery will provide comfort and softness whilst fulfilling a desire for more flexible options including, colors, patterns and texture. There is an abundant selection of fabrics available to suit any interior style and color scheme. Fabrics are a fabulous way to add your person al touch to your interior.

In recent times, furniture designers have successfully mixed both leather and fabric to create beautiful pieces. Leather is strategically placed on armrest and backrest regions while fabric is placed on the seats and used for pillows etc. If you want the durability of leather and don’t want to give up on the flexibility of fabric upholstery, a “hybrid” (combination of both leather and fabric) should meet your needs.