Anchor: Sofa so good!

Leather or fabric: What wins the living room showdown?

Pooja Khanna Tyagi

The living room is incomplete without a sofa and the challenge around choosing between leather and fabric sofa has always been tricky.

You don’t know for how long this sophisticated charmer will be part of your living space, and hence, your decision-making is driven by factors such as your lifestyle, budget, time you wish to spend on it, usage and look. Yet, these do not render one material perfect compared to the other. The parameters listed below play the devil’s advocate and will help you in making an informed choice.

Upholstery

Fabric upholstery is available in multiple colours, patterns and textures. This makes sofas in sync with the colour scheme and overall decor of the living room. On the other hand, leather upholstery is available in very limited styles and colours.

Durability

Fabric sofas may fade over a period of time due to exposure to sunlight, excessive usage or cleaning. If prone to rough use, then go for tightly woven fabrics with a higher thread count for the upholstery. On the contrary, a leather sofa is highly durable, lasts longer than fabric sofas and does not fade in the presence of sunlight. These are comparatively firmer. Also, leather ages well and looks more attractive over a period of time. It is important to clean the sofa with leather cleaners to maintain its natural look and shine.

Cost

Easily affordable, fabric sofas are available in different materials such as linen, cotton, velvet and synthetic fabrics. Leather surely lends a sophisticated and high-end look to the sofa as well as the decor of the living room, but one has to pay a dear price for this luxury item.

Comfort

The best part about fabric sofa is that it is soft. Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen give maximum comfort, as these are breathable material that makes one feel warm in winter and cool in summer. Their presence imparts a cosy and inviting look to the living room. However, come summer and leather sofa may become slippery and sticky. This makes it uncomfortable to use, especially if the room is not air-conditioned.

Maintenance

Fabric sofas require routine maintenance and cleaning because these are prone to staining by food or liquid spills. These tend to absorb foul odours as well. If you are looking for a stain-resistant material, then go for sofas with synthetic fabric. However, these pieces are a big no for pet-lovers as these have a tendency to attract dust, animal dander and allergens. Leather upholstery, on the other hand, is non-porous, which makes it stain-resistant and easy to maintain. The routine maintenance of a leather sofa requires cleaning with a damp cloth. They are perfect for your pooches and don’t attract dust mites.

BOX: Colour combinations

1. Neutral colours are a popular choice for both fabric and leather sofas, as these easily blend with the basic colour palette of the living room.

2. Add bold prints, patterns or accent colours to the cushions and complement it with a similar or contrast floor rug.

3. If the decor is traditional, go for traditional motifs or floral prints for cushions.

4. For a modern decor, introduce abstract patterns or simply go for bright cushions.

5. If the sofa is prone to rough use or there are pets around, go for a sofa in dark colours.