Buying a new sofa isn’t something you do every day. For many people, it is a big purchase that comes with some planning, build up, and excitement. There are many factors to consider! The shape, colour, and, maybe most importantly, the material.
Today, we’re going to talk about leather sofas. Leather sofas have a maintained a reputation for a long time to be durable, classy, and gorgeous. But it’s important to note that not all leather sofas are built the same, or even built to last.
How Long Should a Leather Sofa Last?
It really depends on the quality of the material, with top grain leather sofa potentially lasting several decades. Leather comes from curing or “tanning” animal hides. Cattle hides make up the majority of the leather used in furniture upholstering.
Top grain leather is pure, with combining any other materials into it. It is tanned well and the result is a durable, gorgeous material that gets more beautiful over time.
Other leather materials come in a range of pure to less pure, that is it is mixed or combined with non-leather materials. While these materials may contain leather, they are less durable and will not last nearly as long as top grain leather.
You may have heard of bonded leather before. This is a good example of leather-type material, but without the qualities that make leather furniture a real long-lasting investment.
What is Bonded Leather?
Bonded leather is a mix of both real and non-leather material. It is made from scraps and fibers leftover from processing genuine leather, which is then mixed with a polyurethane binding material. These fibers are then rolled together using adhesives to bond them onto a paper backing.
You may have heard of bonded leather by a number of other names:
- LeatherSoft
- Faux Leather
- Vinyl
- Reconstituted
- Composite
Whatever you want to call it, it is important to consider that bonded leather tends to crack, peel and irreparably break down over time.
Back To Our Original Question: How Long Does a Leather Sofa Last?
Top grain leather can last decades, and the better you care for it, the longer it will last. In fact, the leather will get softer, take on a patina from the oils it absorbs, and become more beautiful as the years wear on. With proper care!
To keep your high-quality leather lasting a really long time, there are things you can do to keep it excellent condition.
Keep your leather out of direct sunlight. If you think of your own skin under the harsh rays of the sun, you can understand how leather responds to similar conditions. If the leather furniture is in a sunny spot, you can expect that it will dry out and break down more quickly than if it weren’t exposed to the sun.
Clean and condition. Leather manufacturers recommend a twice-yearly effort to clean and condition your leather furniture, especially if it is top grain leather. The manufacturer will have advice on how to effectively clean and condition your leather sofa.
If you are thinking about a high-quality leather sofa, we also recommend you visit your local sofa and furniture store. At MN Sofa, we will be happy to help you with this exciting purchase.