Should I Choose Leather Sofa Or Fabric Sofa?

Sofa (couch, sofa, sofa) is a popular piece of furniture used for sitting or lying in the house. Sofas are often placed in the living room, bedroom or office, creating a highlight for the space and bringing comfort to the user.

Sofas not only affect the aesthetics of the house but also affect human health. This is shown through the statement of Dr. Michael Stuart: “Sitting on a sofa that is too soft for long periods of time can affect your posture, leading to chronic back pain.”

Currently on the market there are two popular types of sofas: leather sofas and fabric sofas.

• Leather sofas made from genuine leather or synthetic leather bring a luxurious beauty, good ventilation, high durability and easy to clean (genuine leather). But limited when exposed to high temperatures, easy to get cold when first sitting, easy to scratch, high price.
• Fabric sofas are made from felt material with the characteristics of softness, effective ventilation (rough felt), good warmth retention (velvet felt), many colors and materials, reasonable price. However, the product durability is relatively low, easy to collect dust, pet hair and difficult to clean.

Leather sofas are for those who value durability, luxury and ease of cleaning. Meanwhile, fabric sofas are a good choice if you want softness, coziness, rich colors and affordable prices.

Choosing which type of sofa for your living space should be based on the advantages and disadvantages of each type, interior style, season of use, budget, cleaning process and user characteristics.

To better understand whether to choose a leather sofa or a fabric sofa, read the following article!

What is Leather Sofa?

Leather sofa is a type of sofa covered with leather, which can be genuine leather or synthetic leather.

• Genuine leather is taken from animals such as cow, buffalo, sheep, goat… It is usually durable, soft, cool and gives a luxurious feeling.
• Industrial leather is made from many different materials such as PVC, PU… Cheaper than real leather, diverse in color and design, but the durability and feel of use are not as good as real leather.

Some popular leather sofa styles: corner sofa, sofa bed, single sofa, sofa bed...

What are the advantages of leather sofas?

SLeather has high aesthetics, effective ventilation, good durability and easy to clean (genuine leather).

• Brings luxury and class to the living room space.
• Has good breathability, creating a cool feeling when used.
• Highly durable, can be used for many years.
• Easy to clean with a damp cloth made of genuine leather.

According to the study by Quality Testing International (QTI, 2024) 'Durability Standards in Furniture', natural leather sofas have an average lifespan 2.5 times longer than other types of sofas when properly maintained.

What are the disadvantages of leather sofas?

Leather sofas are sensitive to sunlight and heat, feel cold on initial contact, are easily scratched and are relatively expensive.

• Can be affected by sunlight, prone to fading and damage if exposed to high temperatures for too long.
• It feels cold when sitting on it, but after a period of use, the leather will create a warmer and more comfortable feeling.
• Susceptible to scratches or damage from sharp objects or improper use.
• Due to the high quality materials and manufacturing process, leather sofas are often more expensive than fabric sofas.

What is Fabric Sofa?

Fabric sofa is a type of sofa covered with felt fabric, including two main types: raw felt fabric and velvet felt fabric.

• Felt fabric has a rough surface, giving a rustic, close feeling.
• Velvet fabric has a soft, smooth surface, giving a luxurious, warm feeling.

Some popular fabric sofa types: corner sofa, sofa bed, single sofa, sofa bed...

What are the advantages of fabric sofas?

Soft felt sofa, good ventilation (rough felt), effective warmth retention (velvet felt), diverse colors and materials, reasonable price.

• Soft and comfortable felt material, creating a pleasant feeling when sitting for a long time.
• Fabric sofas, especially rough fabric, have good breathability, creating a cool feeling when used.
• Fabric sofas, especially velvet fabric, have good heat retention, suitable for use in winter.
• Fabric sofas come in a variety of colors and designs, easy to choose according to your preferences and interior style.
• GReasonable price: Fabric sofas have a more reasonable price than leather sofas.

According to the Sustainable Furniture Council's (2024) 'Eco-friendly Materials in Furniture' study, recycled felt can reduce carbon emissions by 40% compared to sNew felt fabric production, while saving 60% energy in the production process.

What are the disadvantages of fabric sofas?

• Fabric sofas have low durability, easily attract dust, pet hair and are difficult to clean.
• Fabric sofas are generally less durable, especially when subjected to a lot of friction and frequent use.
• Susceptible to dust and pet hair, requires regular cleaning to maintain beauty.
• Easily absorbs water, making cleaning and maintenance more difficult than leather sofas.

Should I Choose Leather Sofa Or Fabric Sofa?

Choose a leather sofa if you prioritize durability, luxury and ease of cleaning, while a fabric sofa is more suitable if you prefer softness, warmth, variety of colors and affordable prices. The final choice depends on your needs, preferences and budget.

Refer to the comparison table below to make the most suitable choice:

Guide to Choosing Leather Sofas and Fabric Sofas to Suit Your Needs

When choosing a sofa, in addition to considering the advantages and disadvantages of each type, you also need to consider the interior style, season of use, budget, cleaning process and user characteristics.

• Interior style: Leather sofas are suitable for many interior styles, from classic to modern. However, they are especially suitable for spaces with a luxurious, classy feel such as neoclassical and modern luxury styles. If you love rustic, intimate style, fabric sofas will be a more suitable choice.
• Season of use: Genuine leather sofas are airy and cool in the summer. However, in the hot summer, leather sofas can feel stuffy. Synthetic leather sofas can be hotter than genuine leather. Fabric sofas are warm in the winter, providing a comfortable feeling when used. However, in the summer, fabric sofas can feel hot.
• Budget: Consider your budget to choose a sofa that suits your financial ability. Genuine leather sofas are more expensive than fabric sofas and industrial leather sofas. Fabric sofas are cheaper than genuine leather sofas, but more expensive than industrial leather sofas.
• Easy to clean and maintain: Genuine leather sofas are easy to clean with a damp cloth. Faux leather sofas may need regular professional cleaning. Fabric sofas are prone to dirt and dust and need to be vacuumed regularly and washed periodically. If you prioritize easy cleaning, genuine leather sofas are a good choice.
• User characteristics: Leather sofas are suitable for families with small children and pets because they are easy to clean and resistant to hair and scratches. Fabric sofas are suitable for people who like a soft, comfortable feeling and families with small children because they are soft and safe.

Questions About Leather Sofas And Fabric Sofas

What should you pay attention to when buying leather sofas and fabric sofas?

When buying leather and fabric sofas, you need to pay attention to check the product quality, choose a reputable brand, choose a product with the right price and size.

• Carefully consider the seams, sofa frame, leather or fabric to ensure durability and aesthetics.
• Prioritize reputable sofa brands on the market, ensuring product quality and good warranty service.
• Leather sofas are usually more expensive than fabric sofas. Determine your budget to choose the right sofa.
• The size of the sofa should be compatible with the area of ​​the living room to create balance and harmony. For small living rooms, see more articles Recipes Interior Design For Small Spaces.

Try the product: Before buying, try the product to feel the comfort and suitability for your needs.

What is the average durability of leather and fabric sofas?

• The average durability of genuine leather sofas is from 10 to 20 years, industrial leather sofas from 5 to 10 years, and fabric sofas from 5 to 7 years.
• The actual durability of a sofa depends on many factors such as product quality, usage and maintenance.

Leather sofa or fabric sofa is more suitable for children?

Leather sofas are easy to clean, wipe with a damp cloth, suitable for families with small children. Fabric sofas are easy to collect dirt, need to be cleaned regularly, which can be difficult for families with small children. However, fabric sofas are softer and smoother than leather sofas, suitable for children when playing.

How to clean leather sofas and fabric sofas?

Leather sofas need to be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth and specialized cleaning solutions. Fabric sofas should be vacuumed regularly, their covers washed and specialized cleaning solutions used periodically.

Leather sofa:

• Clean regularly with a soft damp cloth to remove dirt.
• Use specialized solution to clean leather sofa periodically.
• Avoid letting strong chemicals and solvents come into contact with the sofa surface.

Fabric sofa:

• Vacuum regularly to remove dust and dirt.
• Wash sofa covers regularly in a washing machine or by hand.
• Use specialized cleaning solution for fabric sofas when necessary.
• Avoid letting water seep inside the fabric sofa.

Where is a good place to buy sofas in the Southern region?

With many years of experience in the industry, SmartDecor trusted by many customers to order ready-made sofas, make custom sofas according to request. We accept design of 2-seater sofas, 3-seater sofas, sofa beds... from many materials such as genuine leather, industrial leather, felt.

Refer Sofa products at SmartDecor:

Reasons to order sofa at SmartDecor:

• Leather sofas at SmartDecor are made from 100% genuine leather or industrial leather, going through a rigorous processing process, providing softness, elasticity and good water resistance.
• Fabric sofas at SmartDecor are made from high-quality fabric, with clear origin, ensuring skin safety and no irritation.
• Owning a rich collection of leather and fabric sofas with hundreds of different designs, styles and colors, meeting all customers' needs and preferences.
• Accept sofa design according to customer's request, ensuring aesthetics, uniqueness, functionality and feng shui.
• Ability to combine many colors, materials and sofa designs to harmonize with the overall architecture of the living room.
• Having our own factory, we can take the initiative in completing the product.
• Reasonable price.
• Careful warranty.

Contact us for more details!