LIFESTYLE NEWS - Although it is an expensive upholstery option, leather remains one of the most popular choices, and it is easy to understand why.
“Seating upholstered in genuine leather remains a great choice for any number of people – it is great for families, as it can weather heavy traffic and it is easy to maintain and clean, and it is also a good option for those looking for high-end, designer aesthetics, as there is very little that oozes comfort and opulence like leather does,” says Claire Gibson from leading motion seating manufacturer, La-Z-Boy.
She explains that although you may pay a bit more for leather furniture, it will last much longer than any fabric alternative.
“Any leather seating manufactured by a well-respected manufacturer, such as La-Z-Boy for example, is estimated to last up to four times longer than any fabric counterpart. This means that in the long-term, you actually get more value for money when you invest in a genuine leather lounge suite.”
You can either opt for a lounge site that has been completely upholstered in genuine leather or, if you want to save a little money, you can choose leather uppers which is means that genuine leather is used on all areas that come into contact with the body, while the other areas, such as the base, outer backs and outer arms are upholstered with matching imitation leather.
Not all leather upholstery is created equal. Here is Claire’s overview on the main types of leather upholstery currently on the market:
Corrected grain leather or pigmented leather is the easiest to maintain as it has a stain-resistant sealer coat. Pigments are added to the sealer, resulting in an even colour and texture. The disadvantage of this kind of leather is that it feels colder and harder to the touch when compared to other leathers, and doesn't offer the more organic look that aniline leathers do.
Semi-aniline leather looks more natural than corrected grain leather, and it disguises only some of the natural colour variations and markings inherent in the leather. A combination of pigment and dye with a thin topcoat is used to seal this leather, so it feels softer and boasts stain-resistant qualities.
Full-aniline leather means that only pure dye is used to colour this leather, and no surface pigmentation is applied. The beauty of this process is that it doesn't camouflage any blemishes or scratches, leaving the leather furniture to share its origin and history. Full aniline leather will continue to change over time due to its light sensitivity, and it is much softer than the aforementioned leathers.
Buffed aniline feels a lot like suede, but has a more rugged appearance. It is really soft to the touch and very comfortable to sit on. The drawback of this kind of leather is that it absorbs oil, so it is inclined to go darker and shinier where it makes body contact.
Pull-up aniline leather has been treated with additional wax or oil to re-create a distressed, old world look. The technique emphasises markings, and this kind of leather may fade with time, giving it a unique look.
Regular maintenance of leather is quite simple when using manufacturer approved leather care products. Here are tips how to best maintain leather seating:
• Use a damp cloth to remove stubborn dust and dirt. Never soak the leather in any form of liquid – even soap or water.
• If you spill anything onto your leather sofa, remember that if you rub it in, you will cause a stain. Rather pat the area down with a dry absorbent cloth until the stain is removed.
• Regularly apply a leather conditioner (every six to 12 months) to keep it from drying out and developing cracks.
• Keep leather out of direct sunlight to avoid it fading and becoming brittle.
• Scratches made by pets or small cracks can be gently buffed away with a microfiber cloth.
• Avoid sitting on the edges of the sofa cushions or the arms, as this may cause uneven wear.
• Keep leather at least 30cm away from any direct heat source to avoid any heat damage.
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