Leather couches are a staple for many homes and businesses. They are sleek, durable, and stylish. But are leather couches out of style?
Some people would say that leather sofas have been out of style since the 1970s, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Leather is no longer the material of choice for every home, but it still has its place as the perfect accent piece for any room. Modern style leather couches bring this classic piece of furniture back into the 21st century.
In this article, we will discuss in detail below why leather sofas are still very much in style today. It’s time to debunk this myth once and for all!
Leather couches are a classic. New leather sofa styles have popped up in recent years that may make leather sofas seem old-fashioned. But leather sofas are not out of style – they’re just different than what they used to be.
A Brief History of Leather Sofas
Leather sofas have been around for as long as people can remember. In fact, leather furniture was originally used in Ancient Egypt as early as 3100 B.C. but these were leather chairs.
Leather sofas became a thing in Greece in 600 B.C. This was when the first-ever leather sofa was known to be recorded.
As craftsmanship evolved over time, leather couches became a piece of furniture often associated with the wealthy nobles and royals throughout history since then.
In fact, the commonly known Chesterfield Couch was first designed when it was commissioned by Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield. And the quilted, deep-buttoned leather upholstered couch is still bearing his name to this day.
So Are Leather Sofas Out of Style Now?
Anything that has a history of several millennia really can’t just go out of style overnight. Sometimes, leather sofas are out of style in certain regions or demographics. But leather couches still have a place today – just not everywhere.
Are leather sofas in style for 2023?
Leather sofas continue to be a timeless and versatile choice that remains in vogue for 2023 and beyond. With their enduring appeal, leather sofas effortlessly complement a wide range of interior design styles.
If you want to put leather furniture into your home for the first time, it’s important that you start with one piece and see how it works for your space before going all-in on leather furniture sets.
A single leather chair can make any room feel more luxurious without being overwhelming and without the price tag of a sofa.
A good-quality piece of leather furniture will typically last anywhere from 20 to 25 years on average if properly cared for.
But there are exceptions to this rule, there are some people who have had leather furniture in their families for generations.
In fact, I have a leather chair that has been handed down in my family that dates back to the 1910s from my great grandfather. But to accomplish this you have to be diligent on care and also make sure that you get a good quality leather sofa.
How to Tell the Quality of a Leather Sofa
The leather furniture you buy should be of high quality and this is the first thing that you need to look for when buying leather couches.
Sticking with Full grain or top grain leather is best when picking out a leather couch.
Be wary of furniture items that offer you “Genuine Leather” or “Bonded Leather” as these will not give you a high quality piece of furniture and it almost certainly will not last very long before wear and tear start showing on it.
When shopping for leather sofas, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
Leather has four basic grades, these are usually called grains.
Grades of Leather:
- Full Grain Leather
- Top Grain Leather
- Split Grain
- Genuine Leather
- Corrected Grain Leather
- Bonded Leather
Full Grain Leather
Full Grain Leather is the highest quality leather you can get. It has a smooth surface with few flaws. Nothing has been done to this grade of leather to remove any natural marks or imperfections such as sanding or buffing.
Full grain leather does not wear easily.
It comes in two finished types: Aniline and semi-aniline.
Aniline leather has the most desirable finish. And semi-aniline is a finish that helps protect the leather from wear or stains.
Top Grain Leather
The top grain leather is the next in the tiers of leather quality. Falling in right behind full grain leather, top grain leather is still highly sought after for high-end leather products.
The surface of top grain leather is sanded and it has a finish coat on the leather. This finish makes the leather have a plastic feel. The benefit of this is that the leather feels cooler to the touch. And it helps protect the leather from corrosion and damage.
This is very popular for furniture because due to the finish the leather lasts longer. It is also a more easily available leather for producing goods.
Split Grain Leather
Split grain leather is better known as suede. It is often used in jackets, shoes, and jewelry.
It is a soft and pliable leather that doesn’t have any natural markings of the leather itself.
Genuine Leather
While the name makes this leather sound like it is top-notch, it is not the highest grade of leather. While genuine leather is made from real leather, it is made from the leftover leather from the high-end leather processes.
Genuine leather does not have a luxurious feel and look like top grain or full grain leather.
And genuine leather will not last as long as it wears out faster than the higher grades.
Corrected Grain Leather
This leather is not as well known as the other three grades.
Corrected grain leather is a special type of leather that is corrected by leatherworkers to make it more functional.
This is a leather grade that is often used in pigmented leather and is usually more affordable.
Bonded Leather
Bonded leather is really all leather. It is a combination of leather dust mixed with vinyl, scraps of leather, and plastic bonded together.
This is a cheap “leather” product that is used in cheap upholstered furniture and low-quality “leather” purses.
What Color Leather Sofa is Best?
The leather sofa color you choose will depend on the style of your current home decor and what colors work best for it.
If a brown leather couch would be better, then go for that.
If black is more to your liking, then black leather couches are also an option.
Some of the most popular leather couch colors include red (which always goes well with darker colored accents in a room), brown (a perfect choice if you have wood grain accents in your room already), or white leather sofas which look modern but can get dirty easily.
The Pros And Cons of Leather Couches
A leather sofa is a purchase that you have to think about very carefully because leather sofas are expensive. They’re also expensive to maintain and they can be difficult to clean, which means leather couches aren’t for everyone.
Pros
- Durability
- The feel of leather is like no other.
- Pet hair does not stick to leather.
- Stain resistant.
- Mildew resistant.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- Requires due dilligence on care
- If you have Pets that can be an issue with nails.
- Good quality leather sofas are costly.
- Less color variety.
- Can be uncomfortable in warm/hot weather.
In Conclusion: Are Leather Sofas Out of Style?
Not by a long shot. Leather sofas are timeless. They are a classic luxurious furniture piece that will always be around.
Sure styles that the leather couch is made in may change, but they are always going to have a place in home decor.
