Which Couch Material is Best?

So many times, the inspiration for a new blog post comes from a design question someone asks me. A little light goes off in my head and I think “Hey, that would make a great blog post!” Well, that’s exactly how this post happened. A client was asking me what I thought of leather vs fabric couches and I thought “I’m sure there are more people that want to know about this.” So here we are.

Shopping for a new couch can be a daunting task. As it is the main furniture piece of a living room, all other furniture and decor for the room is dependent on the couch. It is also a rather expensive item and one that you want to get right the first time. There are so many things to keep in mind when shopping for a sofa and all are important. But a question that I get over and over again is “What material is best?”  

As with many things in life, there is no right or wrong when it comes to this question. There are pros and cons of each. In this post, we’ll go through the pros and cons of each to help you determine which fabric is the best fit for you. Since a sofa is an item you will hopefully use for years to come, don’t rush the decision. Take your time to research and figure out what makes the most sense for you. In this post, I’ll try to help make that decision a bit easier by going through the pros and cons of fabric and leather. 

Pros of Leather Couches

• Leather is super easy to clean. Most stains will just wipe right off. This makes it a very good choice when you have kids around.
• Leather is durable and can last a long time if taken care of properly. 

Cons of Leather Couches

• Expense-leather is generally a more expensive option than its fabric counterparts.
• Leather can get scratched whereas fabric cannot.
• Some people think leather isn’t as comfortable as fabric. 

Pros of Fabric Couches

• Expense-fabric couches are usually cheaper than leather.
• Options-there are much more options when it comes to fabric in terms of pattern and texture.

Cons of Fabric Couches

• Stains-A fabric couch will stain much more easily than a leather couch. However, there are performance fabric options that repel stains so this con can be easily avoided.
• Maintenance- A fabric couch should be vacuumed regularly to maintain it.  (I have a chenille couch and I vacuum once a year so maybe I should take my own advice here.)

And there you have it! There are so many couch options out there it may be overwhelming to choose just one! Now that you know the pros and cons of each, go out there and choose a couch that is best for you and your family. Good luck! If you need tips on cleaning your couch, click here.