Leather VS Fabric

At Mercato Interiors, most of our seating pieces can be custom built in either leather or fabric coverings, which sometimes results in us be asked 'which is better?' There is really no right or wrong answer as it really depends on the purchasers needs and style. But with so many options to choose from, picking one can get really confusing!  I thought I would put an end to the covering dilemma by highlighting the benefits and disadvantages of both materials.

COMFORT

There are many factors that determine the comfort of furniture. The type of textile and the support system, such as cushions and frames play a huge role. In this case, the fabric pieces can be more comfortable than their leather counterparts for several reasons. Like your car seat, leather absorbs heat faster than fabric. The same is with leather furniture, it will feel warm after sitting on it for a while. Leather furniture however, are firmer than the fabric ones.

MAINTENANCE

Depending on the quality of the material, fabrics have different lifespans in terms of wear and tear. All our brands feature very high quality materials which will hold-up and retain their new appearance for a very long time. Many of them come with a stain-resistant finishes that makes it easy to wipe off any unfortunate stains. Fabric cleaning products are widely offered and affordable, and can simply take care of spills with a handled steam cleaner or with a sponge and soap. But if the fabric is not of a premium quality, removing stains can prove difficult. In this case leather might be a better solution, seeing that they are very easy to clean, mostly requiring only light dusting and vacuuming. But leather is more vulnerable to scratches and humidity than the fabric pieces, which makes them not-so pet friendly if you have furry little family member who likes to sit on the sofa.

COLOR DURABILITY

Both materials offer a wide variety of color and texture options, and fabrics you'll have an unlimited selection of tones and pattern choices that will fit any decor. Although it is not a concern at Mercato Interiors, fabric products of low quality tend to fade out very quickly in time, where as leather’s color palette is more lasting.

APPEARANCE

A leather sofa for example, with its sleek and classic appearance, adds certain elegance to the room. You can hardly achieve the same effect with fabrics. Fabric sofas are available in many hues and designs, and tend to add to a contemporary vibe to a home.

HEALTH

Leather seating surfaces are hypoallergenic, which makes them appropriate for people with allergies. Unlike fabric, leather doesn’t accumulate dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens easily. Professional cleaning services can be costly and would need to be done on a regular basis for fabric coverings. Leather will save you effort, money and time.

SO WHICH SHOULD YOU PICK?

Both materials have their benefits and disadvantages. At the end of the day, you need to decide what you value most – durability, comfort or appearance.