I've never purchased a leather sofa before, but due to recently diagnosed allergies this has been recommended to me. I'm pretty confident that I can choose one that looks good to me. What I'm wondering is if there are other things I should be looking for when I am shopping around...? There seems to be a wide range of prices on leather sofas out there. It's a bit overwhelming.
2006-12-22 04:18:07 · 6 answers · asked by curlygirl 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Let me start by saying that I am a designer and I used to sell furniture. There are lots of different kinds of leather. "Corrected" leather is a very uniform color, it doesn't show and imperfections. It has been dyed and has a coating on the surface. This is the kind of leather that is used for car interiors. It is hard wearing and doesn't scratch easily, any spills can be wiped off. Then there is "pull-up" leather, it is treated with a waxy substance. This is the kind that scratches when you run your fingernail over it. You are just displacing the wax, it will come back if you rub the area with your hand. These leathers tend to look a little more rustic and can absorb spills. They will show "field marks", bug bites, brands, scars, etc. that were on the hide. Not a good choice with kids or pets, but can be really beautiful it taken care of by adults!! Over time they develop a rich patina and are gorgeous.
Prices vary with quality. Corrected leather tends to run a little less just because they can be less picky about the hides that are used since they are correcting and dying them. "Leather-match" furniture is the least expensive because only the seat and arms are leather. The rest is a vinyl that looks like leather, not a great choice.
Contrary to popular belief, leather is breathable and is not cold and clammy. As soon as you sit on it it adjusts to your body temperature. It is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Vinyl is not nice to sit on and lots of times people have sat on a vinyl couch thinking it was leather and that is how these opinions are formed!
Leather is very nice, take your time, shop around and I'm sure you will find what you are looking for.
2006-12-22 04:44:48 · answer #1 · answered by mom-knows-best 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds great so far. I like the black and near black, too. But I use "camel" (a tan) for drapes because it goes well with the carpet. Accent pillows in the other colors you are considering may solve the "too much black" view if you decide on the black leather sofa. I used a black/tan/rust/green floral fabric I found at Hobby Lobby to recover accent chairs. I am also trying to coordinate dining chair seat cushions/place mats/tablecloth with the floral fabric. Oh! You might take a look at the Better Homes and Target websites. They both offer pages suggesting color coordination.
2016-03-17 22:13:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try scratching it with your fingernail. If it leaves a mark it's not a very good one. (don't let the sales guy see you do this. ) Ask about the warranties on it. Remember these sales people work on commission and will try and sell you anything. You want one that isn't that soft to begin with cause the cushions will get softer with time but if they are already soft they won't last. And keep it out of direct sunlight as it will fade.
2006-12-22 04:28:16 · answer #3 · answered by fr2fish 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all you have to decide one thing what you are going to buy. The natural leather or PU leather. The natural leather is more expensive than the PU. The natural leather is very difficult to maintain but the PU is durable.
2006-12-22 04:31:07 · answer #4 · answered by Karen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give it up to Stacey C...I agree 100%!
2006-12-22 09:16:40 · answer #5 · answered by emmie8750 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
their cold in the winter and in the summer you stick to them so i would not want one sorry
2006-12-22 04:28:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋