Leather vs. Fabric Sofas: Which is the Best Option For You?
Easy to style and maintain for years, leather sofas evoke a sense of timelessness, while modern designs ensure that the sofa is in touch with the rest of the space. According to Karen Rohr, “the rich texture and classic leather furniture style gives any room an elegant, sophisticated look.”
We put together a guide to 12 of our favorite leather sofas, along with styling tips from the experts.
Leather Sofas: Our Top Picks
1. Nomad
Brand: Burrow
Price: From $2,495
Dimensions: From 85" Wide, 35" Deep, 33" Tall
The customizable Nomad Sofa is made from soft Italian leather and a Baltic Birch frame. The classic sofa is built with modern details, including a built-in USB charger and 72” power cord.
Interior designer Yoselin Castro writes our Nomad sofa review that the sofa “feels very durable and sturdy, yet plush enough to take a midday nap,” while Karen Rohr says that the “size is very flexible, and the sofa is easy to move around, which makes it practical.”
What we liked about the Nomad Sofa from our review:
- Timeless Style: The sofa can provide comfort and support for years to come. It's modern and casual but the look will still last forever!
- Easy Assembly: This easy to put together sofa is one of the best perks about it, and most of the work can be done by one person with moderate strength and no extra tools.
- Fabric and Color: An extra plus to the sofa is that it is stain resistant, especially for those with little ones running around or those who like to entertain and can’t resist a good get together with friends and family.
The Nomad is one of the most versatile leather sofas in the marketing and is available in a number of configurations — from sectional sofas (including L-shaped and corner sectionals). Thanks to Burrow’s patented modular system, you can adapt the layout of your sofa and even expand it to add new sections in the future.
2. The Varick
Brand: Maiden Home
Price: $5,200
Dimensions: From 75” Wide, 40” Deep, and 30.5” Tall
With a classic profile and relaxed features, the Varick can be dressed up for those seeking to curate an elegant look, or dressed down for the everyday. Reviewer Natalli Amato writes, “the Varick Sofa and matching ottoman are practical and suited to hold up to everyday wear. While I don’t have children or pets, I did manage to stain the bottom of the sofa in the first few days…however, with some water and a little dish soap, the stain came out.”
What we liked about the Varick from our review:
- The sofa is very deep; great for curling up with a book and a blanket.
- The ottoman makes a comfortable footrest or extra seat.
- Beautiful fabric/upholstery.
- White glove delivery.
The sofa is available in two different types of leather, guaranteed to fit in well with your home decor:
- Tuscan Leather is a top-grain Italian leather with a soft, supple hand and clean finish.
- Pebbled Leather is a top-grain, semi-aniline leather with a silky smooth hand and beautiful texture.
The Varick also comes as a sectional with a range of configurations on offer — from chaise sectional, to L-shaped and U-shaped. A matching ottoman is also available.
3. Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa
Brand: Castlery
Price: $3,699
Dimensions: 123.2” Wide, 39.4” Deep, and 27.6” Tall
With a clean silhouette and modular seating, the Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa offers a modern perspective on the classic leather sofa.
Karen Rohr says that “modular seating is excellent for families starting to grow, as it allows them to grow over time, and this option being in leather makes it great for a more timeless look.” Additionally, modular seating allows for you to play with various sofa configurations, giving you the freedom to experiment with what works best for your space.
The Jonathan is a genuine leather sofa made from Top Grain Leather and comes with a choice of two colors, Caramel and Warm Taupe.
4. Park Sofa
Brand: Albany Park
Price: $1,599
Dimensions: 82” Wide, 35” Deep, and 35” Tall
Upholstered with vegan leather, The Park Sofa delivers on timeless style and long-lasting comfort. With cushions made from high-resiliency foam wrapped in feathers, the sofa is guaranteed to live up to the comfort promised– or your money back. The Park Sofa is also available as a sectional.
Here's what we liked about the Park Sofa from our review:
- Beautiful design: The mid-century style and smart details make this a versatile sectional that can fit well in any home ranging from traditional to modern.
- Comfortable: The sofa is made of foam wrapped in feathers, making it soft but not too soft.
- Convenience: The sofa ships right to your front door and is in several boxes, so you can easily move it by yourself.
5. OG Couch Potato
Brand: BenchMade Modern
Price: From $5,628
Dimensions: 85” Wide, 40” Deep, and 32” Tall
With medium-soft level comfort and a relaxed feel, the Couch Potato Sofa gives you permission to release your inner, well, couch potato. The sofa’s traditional profile is made modern through plush back cushions and simple lines. Reviewer Dana Rose Falcone writes that the OG Couch Potato Sofa, “easily feels at home in any area of the house, especially with all the fabric customizations BenchMade Modern provides.”
What we like about the OG Couch Potato from our review:
- The customizability lets you truly tailor the sofa to your space, down to the inch
- The cushions offer firm support with slight give
- Timeless, sleek but simple design
- U.S.-made
The OG Couch Potato is available in a wide range of leathers, from brown to blue, green, and gray. There are around 19 options in total.
↦ Shop now at benchmademodern.com
6. Dekayess Sofa
Brand: Medley
Price: $2,288
Dimensions: From 78” Wide, 36” Deep, and 28” Tall
The modern Dekayess Sofa is a versatile piece made to look beautiful in any part of your home, whether as a stand alone piece or pushed against the wall. The sofa’s removable zippered covers make for easy spot cleaning, and all back pillows, side cushions, and seat cushions are flippable to increase longevity.
Choose between three widths to accommodate small spaces or large.
7. Toranado Leather Sofa
Brand: Apt2B
Price: $3,188
Dimensions: From 81” Wide, 38” Deep, and 33” Tall
With top grain leather tufted upholstery, the Toranado Leather Sofa provides both form and function. The sofa’s sturdy design is one you can depend on after a hard day, as its square arms, solid wood frame, and high-density foam cores will support you. Concealed power footrests bring luxury to your evening, and allow for you to quite literally put your feet up.
Choose between gray and brown leather for a sofa sure to complete your space.
8. Jocelyn Leather Sofa
Brand: Lulu and Georgia
Price: $6,299
Dimensions: 94" Wide, 32.5" Deep, and 30" Tall
The Jocelyn Leather Sofa by Lulu and Georgia delivers on the timeless, mid-century modern look, with its low back, clean lines, and wooden legs. “Its casual yet tailored appearance make it a great option for multiple areas of your home, from a cozy living room to a more formal home office or study,” says Kristin Patrician. “It has a timeless and clean appearance, which makes it a perfect neutral piece that you can change up your style with.”
↦ Shop now at luluandgeorgia.com
9. Hoxton Leather Sofa
Brand: CB2
Price: $2,999
Dimensions: 96.75” Wide, 37.5” Deep, and 30” Tall
The Hoxton Leather Sofa is unique in that it has a slim profile that doesn’t skimp on downy comfort. “The Hoxton is such a great option, as it looks cozy and inviting,” says Karen Rohr. “It’s a great size, and the brushed brass finished legs add a touch of sleekness that could be both formal or casual at the same time.”
10. The Caitlin Leather Sofa
Brand: Interior Define
Price: $3,595
Dimensions: From 95” Wide and 37” Deep
The Caitlin Leather Sofa is known for details like piped seams, lumbar cushions, and tapered arms. Kristin Patrician says that she “loves this sofa for its overall clean transitional style,” as “the subtle curved sloped arm gives it a really cool and unique personality.”
Known for its highly customizable living room furniture, Interior Define offers a wide range of options for the Caitlin Sofa. You can choose from a range of leathers from dark brown to blue and black. There’s also 12 leg options, a bunch of size and configuration choices, your choice of cushion fill, and two seat depth options. So you can truly make the Caitlin your own.
If you’re looking for a leather sectional sofa, the Caitlin is also availavle as a corner sectional and a right or left chaise sectional.
Alternative: If you want a more classical, tufted chesterfield sofa, check out the Ms. Chesterfield Leather Sofa.
When it comes to deciding on the color of your geniune leather sofa, Interior Define notes that “the lighter the leather, the more prominently new scuffs will show. If in doubt, go darker.”
↦ Shop now at interiordefine.com
11. Ojai Sofa
Brand: Industry West
Price: $3,450
Dimensions: 86.6" Wide x 35" Deep x 29.5" High
The Ojai Sofa is a contemporary piece, perfect for a relaxing night kicking back with a good book or movie. Its thick cushions, 21.6" seat depth, and cushioned arms offer a cozy retreat. This sofa is a great accent piece to any living room.
↦ Shop now at industrywest.com
12. Eliot Leather Sofa
Brand: Joybird
Price: $3,770
Dimensions: 84” Wide, 36” Deep, and 33” Tall
Class and comfort converge in the handcrafted Eliot Leather Sofa. With an eye catching silhouette, the sofa “gives off big 90s New York City living vibes,” says Lucy Small. “Joybird has great pricing for the quality you get, and each unit is made to your specifications, allowing you to change the depth and width.”
Square armrests and a kiln dried, solid wood frame provide support you can trust.
What Does a Leather Sofa Bring to a Space?
Leather sofas are known for their classic appeal and the sense of traditional style that they bring to every space. According to Karen Rohr, “there’s a leather sofa to suit every taste and style, and the best thing is that they can be a timeless addition to your home.”
“There’s a leather sofa to suit every taste and style, and the best thing is that they can be a timeless addition to your home.”
However, there are numerous practical advantages to leather sofas as well. In fact, leather sofas are known for their durability and easy maintenance, as unlike fabric sofas, which require regular vacuuming and spot-cleaning, leather sofas can simply be wiped down with a damp cloth. As a result, leather furniture is a great choice for busy families, or those looking for a low maintenance piece. Leather is also
For additional care, use a leather conditioner every 6 to 12 months to protect the leather and prevent damage from future staining.
What to Look for in a High-Quality Leather Sofa
When shopping for a leather sofa, it can be intimidating to navigate different “types” of leathers, and the pros and cons of each. According to Kristin Patrician, knowing leather terminology will help you understand the quality and potential longevity of each piece.
Types of Leather
Full-grain leather: The highest quality of leather (along with top-grain), full-grain hides are essentially “un-corrected” hides that are sent straight into the tanning process. This means that all the natural properties of leather are unchanged.
Top-grain leather: Top-grain leather is when the top layer of the hide is shaved, a process used to create a seamless finish and more workable and malleable material. Both full-grain and top-grain hides are widely considered to be the best quality parts of the hide, which increases the longevity of a sofa.
Vegan/Faux leather: Vegan leather isn’t leather at all, but often polyurethane. Vegan leather is often desirable because it is usually more affordable, and mimics the aesthetic of leather while eliminating the involvement of animals from the piece.
Bonded leather: Bonded leather consists of leather scraps that are grinded down to a pulp and re-formed into pieces of leather-like material. While not genuine leather, bonded leather often does give the appearance of being genuine, and is much less expensive.
The Leather Dying Process
Aniline leather: Aniline leather is made using soluble dyes that retain the natural surface of the hide. It is widely regarded as the highest quality type of leather, but is often hard to maintain.
Semi-aniline leather: Semi-aniline leather uses dyes that do add some pigmentation to the hide. Unlike full aniline leather, which shows every pore in the hide, semi-aniline leather does affect the visibility of flaws in the hide to some extent. However, the coating used in the dying process creates additional protection from stains.
Protected pigmented: Unlike aniline and semi-aniline leather, which aims to preserve the natural elements of the hide, protected pigment leather are treated with a spray coating that removes the natural grain, but makes the leather more durable. Blemishes and imperfections are removed through buffing of the leather, which is then embossed with an artificial grain.
Pro Tips for Styling a Leather Sofa
When it comes to styling a leather sofa, there are a few things to keep in mind. While a leather sofa is a timeless piece, it can be tricky to style, as it can look either too formal or too casual. The key is to strike the right balance between comfort and sophistication. Whether its a sectional or leather loveseat, here are a few tips for styling your sofa:
- Start with the basics: Begin by choosing a sofa that fits your space and personal style. Then, select a few key pieces of furniture to complete the look, such as an ottoman, accent chairs, or coffee table.
- Add some color with accessories: Don't be afraid to experiment with color when styling a leather sofa. A pop of color can add interest and help temper the leather's formality; this can be with pillows, throws, or big pieces like the rug and chairs.
- Introduce texture: Another way to add interest to a leather couch is to introduce some texture. Throw pillows and bolster pillows are a great way to do this, as they can also make the sofa more comfortable,” says Karen Rohr. While choosing pillows, Kristin Patrician recommends choosing pillows that have blend-down inserts. “The blend down sits better on a smoother surface like leather,” she says.
