The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Right Sofa For Your Home

Posted on - 13th June 2023

A sofa is much more than just a piece of furniture to sit on. It’s a place for family and friends to gather around and have a much needed catch up. It’s a place where you cuddle up with your partner or your beloved dog to watch the latest blockbuster movie. It's a place where you can take a nap after a long and tiring day. For a large piece of furniture, it can carry so many good memories that happen in the home.

Buying a sofa is one of the most important and exciting decisions you will make for your home. With any other piece of large furniture, you want to make the right choice so we have put together this ultimate guide to help you choose the right sofa for your home.

Leather or Fabric?

One of the first questions you will ask yourself is, will I choose a leather or fabric sofa? Many people decide to stick with the same style of sofa they had previously, whilst others may want a change and go for something a little different. Whatever your preference, both leather and fabric sofas offer different characteristics. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Durability

While both fabric and leather materials are durable to a certain extent, leather tends to be tougher than fabric, but leather can be more prone to scuffs, scratches and cracks. For some people, they don’t mind this ‘worn-in’ look as it adds character to the room. On the other hand, other people will agree that a worn-in leather sofa can look aged and shabby. Fabric sofas are much less prone to scuffs, scratches and cracks. However, as a fabric sofa ages, the upholstery can start to rip or tear and it can lose its original form and shape. On average, a fabric sofa can last between 5 to 15 years with proper care. Whereas, a leather sofa can last anytime between 15 to 20 years.

Maintenance

For maximum durability, some maintenance is required. For leather sofas, a simple wipe with a damp cloth is enough to keep it clean and stain-free. Stubborn stains may need a specialised leather cleaning solution or professional cleaning on the odd occasion. Fabric sofas are relatively easy to clean, usually a regular vacuum removes dirt and food crumbs. Stains are more difficult to remove from fabric sofas, due to the nature of upholstery. Stain removers are needed for spot cleaning. Professional cleaning is more common on fabric sofas than leather sofas, which can be expensive.

Comfort

One of the biggest factors to consider when buying a sofa is how comfortable it is. All sofas are designed to offer some level of comfort and support. Leather sofas are quite comfortable and smooth, but they can feel hot and sticky during summer months and cold during the winter. Fabric sofas are much softer and are not affected by the temperature, so it is more comfortable to sit on all year round. Of course, you can choose to cover your leather sofa with a throw or blanket to make it more comfortable to sit on, but this will hide its leather appearance.

Appearance

In terms of appearance, leather sofas come in many varieties, including full grain leather, pigmented leather or semi-aniline leather with shades of blacks, browns, greys and creams. Leather sofas offer a modern to mid-century British class. For example, a leather Chester sofa has a deep buttoned design with diamond shape tufting. Fabric sofas are available in a bigger variety of colours and patterns to suit most rooms. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or in a contemporary Scandinavian style, the choices are endless.

Hypoallergenic

If allergies are something that you suffer from, it’s important to consider a sofa with hypoallergenic properties. Leather sofas tend to be known for being hypoallergenic. As for fabric sofas, not as much. Fibres can trap and lock dust mites and pet hair, which can be near to impossible to remove. There are ways to minimise the risk by vacuuming it regularly and forbidding pets from being on the fabric. If not maintained, it can be problematic for allergy sufferers.

Conclusion

In the end, the final decision is based on your priorities, preferences and interior style. If comfort and choice of colours is more important to you, we recommend going with a fabric sofa. If hyperallergic, durability and low maintenance takes priority, a leather sofa is the better option. However, there is nothing stopping you from buying a leather or a fabric sofa and covering it with a throw to protect it or getting it reupholstered in years to come.

Browse Our Sofa Range At Toons Furnishers

When buying a sofa, it all comes down to the quality of the leather or fabric upholstery. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. You certainly get great quality and value when you purchase your new sofa from Toons Furnishers. Browse our fantastic range of fabric and leather sofas online or visit our showroom in Swadlincote to test out our sofas and see for yourself how comfortable and high-quality they really are! Our team is always happy to help you find the perfect sofa for your home and give expert advice to make the best decision. We can also arrange for delivery of your new sofa straight to your home. Just ask us in-store! For any questions on our sofa range online, please don’t hesitate to contact us.