Fabric or Leather?

[luxome]

I've been having a long debate on whether to get fabric or leather sofas for my living room. I enjoy the comfort of the fabric but i feel that leather are easier to keep clean.

[bolmsted]

I had cloth couches/chairs in the past and they wear down far quicker and the cushions get too soft, etc.

My first sofa set was a a microsuede/cloth based couch - really soft at first but the seating/laying area got really squished and uncomfortable - perhaps the overall construction wasn't as good.

Anyway, bought a replacement leather set and I won't go back to cloth again EVER. When I moved this past year I couldn't get the leather sofa/loveseat downstairs so I went with a new leather sectional.


As for car, I think I would pass for leather - too expensive for what you get and often then bundle with heated seats. I think they are too hot in the summer and cold in the winter, because they take longer the get rid of the ambient heat/cold in the leather (its skin after all).

[whodaphucru]

I have both in my house and I say it depends. The leather sofa set is in our family room where it gets a lot of use and is great with the kids (easy to clean and stains can be cleaned). If you do go leather don't go cheap because the cheaper ones aren't very soft, don't look as nice and they feal like plastic. Ours is a Natuzzi set and it is fantastic and has a more of a classic look which is great! (it was about $5K for a sofa, chair and ottoman about 5 years ago at the home show store).

We have a really nice fabric sofa set it the formal living room that gets more limited use.

Lastly we have a fabric sectional in the basement as we couldn't find a good leather sectional that we liked/ would fit in the basement. Since it is in the basement we were less concerned if it got a bit worn looking in the future, it is a lazy boy set and is perfect for the space. I am sure it will get some stains over time but we'll manage through that! I think it was about $2800 with the pull out bed, cheq lounge & lazy boy foot rest.