Room Concepts

So, you’re in the market for a new, comfortable sofa. However, you’re not sure if you should choose a leather vs fabric sofa. This is a big decision as whatever you choose, you’ll be sitting on it for years to come. So, let’s look at the pros and cons for both leather and fabric sofas to help you determine which will work best for your home and lifestyle.

Which is Better, a Leather or Fabric Sofa?

In short, leather sofas tend to have a longer lifespan than fabric sofas. This is because leather is a thick and durable material that can withstand wear and tear better than fabric. Leather can also be easily cleaned, and spills can simply be wiped away. Whereas a fabric sofa can wear, stain, and become tatty more easily depending on the type of fabric. 

All this being said, there is a big difference when you’re shopping around for cheap sofas vs. choosing a higher quality furniture store where the leathers and fabrics will both hold durably for years to come. It’s simply a matter of your style preference, whether you have kids and pets, and other factors. The most important considerations you should be thinking about when comparing a leather vs fabric sofa are durability, care requirements, appearance, comfort, and cost.

Does Leather Hold Up Better Than Fabric?

As we mentioned above, leather is more durable and tends to have a tougher finish. However, it is more prone to scratching than fabric. On the other hand, certain fabrics can be especially susceptible to fading or sagging. Whether you choose a leather or fabric sofa, it’s important to know how to care for it and maintain its quality over time. 

Let’s dive in further to some pros and cons to each and other frequently asked questions about leather vs fabric sofas that can help you decide which is better for your home and lifestyle. 

What are the Pros and Cons of a Leather Sofa?

Leather Pros:

1. Leather is a thick and durable material. And, did you know that it can add 5-10 years to the life expectancy of the piece?
2. If you’re going for a sleeker, richer look and feel, then leather is the way to go. It instantly makes your space look grander.
3. For those of us with pets or children, we understand the value of cleanability. Leather is much easier to clean and maintain from the busyness of life, spills, etc. Your leather sofa or chair can be wiped down with a wet cloth or vacuumed with a vacuum hose attachment. Both methods work efficiently and quickly.
4. Leather is a hypoallergenic material, which is a big pro for those with sensitive allergies.

Leather Cons:

1. As we noted, fabric is less expensive than leather. This means leather furniture will cost more overall.
2. While there are many color choices for leather, there are still less choices than fabric. Fabric color and pattern options are plentiful. At Room Concepts Furniture in greater Pittsburgh, we have hundreds to thousands of fabric and leather options to choose from for our customizable sofas and other seating. We even have fabric walls you can go through in our showrooms and hand select which fabric complements your space.
3. We shared that leather is very easy to clean and maintain but that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. The material can still be punctured or scratched. If you have young kids or pets, this is something to highly consider.
4. Leather is not as comfortable as fabric but can often feel cooler.

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Fabric Sofa?

Fabric Pros:

1. Fabric couches and chairs tend to be less expensive than leather which is a huge bonus if you’re looking to find something slightly more affordable.
2. With fabric sofas, you have so many choices! The color and pattern options are abundant which makes customizing your sofa to match your décor easy. New fabric furniture can completely change the style and look of your room and makes shopping for these pieces so much fun.
3. Fabric sofas are known for being more comfortable than leather.

Fabric Cons:

1. As with any fabric, there’s the possibility of staining and cleaning can be more difficult for fabric couches. That said, there are many products nowadays that do a fantastic job of removing soiled stains and spots. Fabric sofas should be cleaned regularly. 
2. Fabric, while durable, is still not as durable as leather and your sofa should be vacuumed periodically to help avoid pilling and maintain the quality.
3. Whereas leather is a hypoallergenic material, fabric may harbor allergens and dust, which can be an important factor for anyone with sensitive allergies.

Are Leather Sofas in Style in 2023?

Leather sofas will arguably always be in style, and we think they could become increasingly popular in years to come. Leather has the ability to tell a story over time, gives your room a rich feel, and comes in a variety of colors. In sum, it would make a great addition to living rooms of practically any style.

The same goes for fabric sofas. With fabric, you can choose from many different options, so there are always advantages to the versatility of fabric sofas.

Making the Final Decision on a Leather vs Fabric Sofa

As you might expect, when deciding whether to choose a leather or fabric sofa, there is no single “right” choice, as both have their positive and negative characteristics. When shopping around, we recommend speaking with the experts in store and considering the benefits of each material to help you decide which sofa finish is right for you, your family, and your home.

Since you’ll be using your sofa every day for years to come, don’t rush this decision. Assess your family’s needs and habits, shop around and ask questions until you feel you’ve found just the right piece. You won’t regret it! 

Looking for more detailed info when choosing the perfect sofa? Check out our comprehensive Ultimate Sofa Buying Guide. 

Whether you decide to purchase a leather or fabric sofa, we have you covered. At Room Concepts, we provide customizable sofas and sectionals with hundreds to thousands of fabric and leather options to choose from to perfectly fit your style and space. We offer a completely customized experience to match your custom piece of furniture.

Contact Us

At Room Concepts, we take pride in the quality pieces we provide. If you have questions about our customizable and configurable furniture pieces, furniture trends or you would like to make a new purchase, we would love the opportunity to help you. Let our highly experienced furniture design team guide you through our simple process to configure every item specifically to your taste. Contact us today, request more details on a furniture piece, or stop into our Wexford or Whitehall showrooms in greater Pittsburgh!