If you are looking for a new piece of furniture, leather is always an option to consider. If the high price of real leather puts you off, there are artificial leather furniture pieces to consider. When trying to decide which one will work best for your home, it’s important to weigh all the pros and cons of each material. Use the guide below to help you with your decision making.
real leather
There’s nothing like the look, feel and smell of real leather. Its soft and supple texture is recognized for bringing sophistication and comfort to any piece of furniture. Unlike other materials, leather has a unique appeal that adds a certain look to a room that cannot be exactly duplicated by any other material, including faux leather. The smell of leather is also something to be aware of; it has a distinctive odor that clearly identifies it as leather.
While the decorative benefits of real leather are appealing, there are some downsides to consider:
Natural body acids and oils can damage the leather surface. It can cause discoloration and can actually cause the leather to crack. When you’ve invested thousands of dollars in a leather sofa, the last thing you want to see happen is for it to fade. Real leather also tends to dry out and requires more care than its artificial counterpart. If you can commit to properly caring for a leather sofa or chair, there’s nothing like the feel and texture of fabric. However, if your family’s lifestyle is rough and consistency of care cannot be guaranteed, real leather may not be the ideal choice for you.
artificial leather
Available in a wide range of colors, artificial leather is a great option to provide some of the look and feel of leather without the high price tag. While it doesn’t look or feel exactly like the actual product itself, artificial leather has a soft quality that’s also attractive. One of the main benefits of artificial leather is its durability. It is much more wear tolerant than real leather. Less care is needed and it is less likely to dry out and crack like real leather furniture does. This is good news especially for those with busy families and young children, as it is a much more durable alternative to real leather, but looks very similar.
The drawback of artificial leather is that it is artificial. Some decorators and homeowners just want the actual product in their room designs. Does not have the unique smell of real leather; and while it is a soft fabric, the texture is very different from real leather. If you can ignore the slight differences in texture and accept the lower price and variety of colors, artificial leather may be the answer to your decorating needs.
No matter what fabric you choose, real or artificial leather, the look of the room will change dramatically. Leather, whether real or faux, creates a more sophisticated and mature look in any room. It’s also perfect for a men’s retreat room, formal living room, and family room. Choose the fabric that works best for your family’s needs and your budget.
