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Original poster

Leather sofa -- yay or nay?

81 replies

whenwillitbespring · 01/08/2023 16:03

Usually, I am not inclined to get a leather sofa at all, but I do quite like this one from sofa.com and the price is not crazy as compared to the fabric sofas (in fact, cheaper than a lot of the fabric options.)

Is it wrong? Is it a bad idea? We have a kid and cats. We do have one leather chair that is secondhand that our cat never scratches but you never know . . .

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OP posts:
TwitTwont · 01/08/2023 16:08

Our leather sofa was great with cat, dog & DC. The leather was still like new when we got a new sofa last year after nearly 20 years. I’m cursing this fabric sofa. Leather is wipeable, this fabric has a spec of chocolate and a splash of coffee on it already and the cat hair sticks to it.

Eviebeans · 01/08/2023 16:12

We are so happy with our leather sofa which we got second hand
it looks good after grandchildren and a dog that sheds fur all over it. It’s so easy to clean

Original poster
whenwillitbespring · 01/08/2023 16:54

Oh thank you - yes wipeable is great! Just also wondering if a new leather sofa feels ethically wrong these days. That said, I'm not a vegetarian!

OP posts:
WonkyBricks · 01/08/2023 17:00

I find them cold in winter, sticky in summer. We had a second hand one that survived our cat and small child, didn't survive a house move though. We've replaced with a suedette one, but it does mark and has food stains already.

NobodyWantsToHearThat · 01/08/2023 17:01

We bought 2 leather Habitat settees from Argos a couple of years ago. They just need a bit of a wipe now and then, and are so comfortable.

Shufflebumnessie · 01/08/2023 17:11

As much as I'd love a fabric sofa I don't think I'd actually let anyone sit on it for fear of marks/stains etc (my family already laugh at me about how precious I am over the new cream cushions I recently bought to brighten up our old leather sofa!).
We're toying with the idea of a new sofa, as we're rapidly out growing the leather one we've had for 16 years, but the problem is the old one still looks great (apart from a bit of sun fading/cracking on one seat) so it seems such a shame to let it go.
We're a family of 4, 2 adults, 2 children (11 &6) and 2 (was 5!) cats. The cat's have never scratched it, anything spilt on it is easy to wipe off, it's easy to clean & really comfy.
I'm 99.9% sure that when we do replace ours, it will be with another leather one.

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 01/08/2023 17:16

I have had mine 13 years and will be glad to see the back of it - too cold for me but dh loves it! It is being recycled and going to a friend so will have a happy new home!!

Parsleymint · 01/08/2023 17:22

I was very reluctant to get leather but 20 years later mine is as good as new. I wipe it down once a week and there isn't a mark on it. It's also supremely comfortable.
I don't like the one you linked - sorry. It looks uncomfortable and too low at the back.

mondaytosunday · 01/08/2023 17:24

Leather sofas are great! Really good when you have young ones too as ripe clean. My pets never touched ours (other than to sleep on).

Original poster
whenwillitbespring · 01/08/2023 17:25

Thanks everyone! Mixed reviews. Just not sure as all of our old sofas just haven't lasted and I'm tired of replacing them every few years. Leather just seems durable!

@DragonScreeches I'd never even heard of Thomas Lloyd - looking this up now as looks terrific, thank you!

If anyone else has idea of comfy traditional sofa beds I am all ears!

OP posts:
Sarvanga38 · 01/08/2023 17:27

We recently bought a fabric sofa after years of leather. Next one will be leather again!

Posters are saying they find leather cold, but I find the (chenille) fabric too hot in the summer, and would rather just have something wipeable. Never again.

LadyWiddiothethird · 01/08/2023 17:27

Had my leather sofas 21 years,not looking to change them,they are super comfortable.I would always choose leather over fabric.

PetitPorpoise · 01/08/2023 17:29

I hate the look of mine because it's dark, almost black shiny leather, but I can't deny it's durability. Borrowed money from my dad to buy it when I was poor and single and wanted something hardwearing that wouldn't go saggy. Now 14 years, a dog and 2 children later, it's still in very good nick even if I do think it's ugly. I won't be changing it until my children are less sticky fingered.

Butteredtoast55 · 01/08/2023 17:30

They are practical but not my cup of tea. I also read a book once where a character was described as having a 'diarrhoea-coloured leather sofa' and now I cannot unthink it when I see a brown one :(

Merapi · 01/08/2023 17:32

A leather sofa would be a no from me. Hot & sticky in the summer and cold & stiff in the winter. They don't recover well from being used as a cat scratching post either.

DelurkingAJ · 01/08/2023 17:32

I was pretty anti but DH was convinced and (12 years later) am a total convert. They are so durable, survive cats and sticky fingers, food scattering children (including our own) and scrub up beautifully with a bit of saddle soap.

ActDottie · 01/08/2023 17:33

I hate leather sofas they aren’t cosy! We have a smart velvet sofa and it’s perfect with dogs and kids and easy to clean.

HarrietJonesFlydaleNorth · 01/08/2023 17:42

Those of you with leather sofas that have lasted 10-20 years (or more!), may I ask how much you paid for them?

I've only ever really bought cheap ikea stuff or had secondhand furniture off freecycle so I've no idea what price one should expect to pay for good quality.

TonTonMacoute · 01/08/2023 17:43

Years ago DH and I went into Laura Ashley for some curtain fabric, the stor was so busy we sat down on a display sofa to wait for someone to be free to help us.

It was a leather Knole sofa, and although we were looking for a sofa we would never have thought of this style. However it was so nice and comfortable that we bought it and have never regretted it. It has survived several cats and children, is still comfy and still looks smart.

Waffle78 · 01/08/2023 17:45

I only get leather sofas now wouldn't go back to fabric. Much easier to keep clean and they don't feel cold in the winter or sticky over summer if you get a decent one.

nopuppiesallowed · 01/08/2023 17:47

Our 1st leather sofa survived for years with 3 children and a cat and we only got rid of it because I wanted a change. Bought a pale green, shabby chic material one with washable covers. Terrible decision. Cushions always needed plumping and needed frequent washing - and it wasn't cheap. Went back to a lovely squidgy dark brown set - 2 sofas and a chair and stool from Arighi Bianchi in Macclesfield (we had family links there and they deliver). 6 grandchildren later, it's as good as new and we still love it!

nopuppiesallowed · 01/08/2023 17:48

Sorry. Dark brown leather set....I'm currently curled up on it.

Maddy70 · 01/08/2023 17:52

It's a must with pets and children

Coastalcreeksider · 01/08/2023 18:00

Oh dear, I have two lovely leather sofas that the current cat has ruined. I was going to buy fabric sofas next time but only once he's gone. He's about 15 so was thinking might not be too long to wait.

Disappointed to see most go back to leather from fabric.

I guess it will be leather again then.