Leather Sofa?

I love the leather sofas we have, really hard wearing and look as good as new after more than 10 years. The fabric one looks saggy after less than 2 years and it wasn't cheap.

I'd happily buy leather again.

It's room temperature, not cold. It's not slippy. They were expensive but that impacts on the quality and thickness of the leather.

They do benefit from periodic cleaning and conditioning.

I don't think they look old fashioned, and often fabric sofas do in my view. I think leather stands the rest of time better

I think with most things you get what you pay for. Cheap anything is usually uncomfortable and tacky. We invested in a leather sofa (two actually) that have withstood the early years of our kids and still going strong. Super comfy, stylish, we have lovely cushions that can be changed to update the overall look. It all comes down to taste but it’s a practical option and can be stylish if you’re prepared to invest.

Yes I think they look more modern when they have thinner metal legs and smooth thinner cushions with no buttons. However I wouldn’t let a dog on any sofa and if I did it would be with a blanket over it, their nails would scratch leather and fabric would absorb all doggy smells. Leather is brilliant though, easy to clean and good quality doesn’t sag and ages well. I would buy a modern Italian brand

Always fabric. Never leather.

Leather is a nightmare to wash, clean, mend, patch and more importantly sit on! Slidy, slippy, sticky and shit.

Fabric is fabric. Wash it, mend it, add or remove covers and upholstery as needed. And it’s snuggly, soft, and inviting.

Dogs aren’t allowed on sofas here (or beds)

I only will have fabric sofas with removable covers with pets (and OH who is clumsy)

When we had a dog we had one leather sofa and even the most light pawed jump onto the sofa resulted in little scrapes and scratches and thats without the cat. Its easier to hide cat scratches on a fabric sofa than a leather one. The throws never stay put on a leather sofa and stains dont come out of it

I wash the fabric covers of our sofas quite a lot.

We've got 2 leather settees, bought a year ago. Fabric ones need vacuuming and shampooing a lot if you've got kids and/or pets. Leather is much more hygienic

Yes, you get what you pay for generally with leather. There are different grades. Full grain leather is the best for furniture as it's not prone to cracking like genuine leather. The tanning process is important too.

Baffled by the people who say leather is cold and slippery. Ours is room temperature. We don’t stick to it and we don’t slip off it. We just sit on it, like a sofa made of any other fabric. We put blankets on to watch films, same as we do with our non-leather stuff, and the blankets don’t budge. Without wanting to sound like an arse, ours was from Heals and was expensive: maybe it’s to do the type or quality of the leather if it’s slippy? Or are you all buying kinky black patent leather sofas to slide about on…

No way would I allow a dog on my leather! Old fashioned 🤔 What do you lot have then? Not one of those grey things, there are some real horrors out there.

That looks so 'executive office' to me... not warm cosy living room

Like StrawberryWater, I have leather sofas in one of my rooms, the one that is filled with floor to ceiling books.
Mine are two red chesterfields, one from the 60s and one pre 1900. I also have a big oak desk in the same room, and I like the study/library feeling. I find them very cosy, and I also have velvet cushions and throws for winter evenings.
I do have a 1920s sofa and chairs in the “parlour”, recovered in William Morris type fabric.
My house would probably make a lot of people shudder, as it is old and filled with old things, but it suits me.

I've had mine since 2008:so very good value

Also have a smaller one from DFS in another room, it's very good as well

We have a brown leather sofa bought from Harvey’s exactly 20 years ago; one move, 10 cats, 2 kids and 2 dogs later still doing a great job.
I would not consider anything else with kids and cats.

I bought the Dazzel large corner sofa from DFS in 2001
cost a fortune at time. Comfortable deep seats and full roundish arms which you can lay on. The frame and most of it is still in great condition, but last year some of the seats stiching has come away so have put throws on for now.
Been exposed to kids and pets over the years with no big issues.
Really considering to purchase again based on our experience
If not will get 2 seperate large seaters but definatly leather over fabric as easy to clean.

Have you seen the Harris Tweed and leather sofas? Best of both worlds. I absolutely love them, some styles are very modern.

Even when my kids were babies/toddlers, I wouldn't have had leather. Cold and unwelcoming in winter, hot and sticky in summer.

Much easier just to put a throw over a fabric sofa!

I've got this one from ikea, I tho l it looks pretty smart, styled a bit mid century

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/landskrona-three-seat-sofa-grann-bomstad-black-wood-s19031704/

Mine is about 6 years old from DFS.

Love mine! Unfortunately the cat has taken to sharpening her claws on it. Only when she wants attention though, as she looks me in the eye.

I bought a black leather L shaped one about 20 years ago and it's a bit battered, but still going strong. It's big and square and solid and has survived 4 kids and a husband prone to spilling things. My cats don't scratch it, which they have with the fabric sofa in my bedroom. So from a practical pov it's been fantastic.I use throws in the winter, which is probably do on a fabric sofa anyway, to protect it from spills.

I don't know why everything has to be modern or new anyway - just buy what you like and have faith in your own taste. It really doesn't matter whether people who don't live with you, like it or not!

Grew up with leather sofas and when I left home, I went fabric and never looked back. And yes, I have kids and pets.

As stated up thread -they are cold in the winter, too sticky in the summer and slippy. You end up having throws on it to make it feel more inviting and they slide off.

They also look really naff

Leather sofas can be beautiful or hideous imo

A mid century modern style, in a vintage tan leather - £££ but lovely (wish we could afford!)

boxy style, especially if black - horrible and dated

I love my leather sofas. Wide, comfy, still clean after years (and years). Wouldn't have anything else.

I like this one
www.coxandcox.co.uk/hardwick-leather-sofa/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnsqdBhCGARIsAAyjYjSVaoik5JQzjHyWmzFCdQ-i4ZkpRe_OI-BCihEzm4FSb-qDV49LCwMaAtC1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have leather sofas by accident as I intended to rent my house out in the summer and they are good for holiday lets. I changed my mind but there is nothing wrong with the sofas, they are beautiful so they stay. I'd prefer fabric ones though. Mine were reconditioned Fired Earth ones from ebay.