You can find leather sofas today in a variety of colors and styles. They are often seen as status symbols for most people as they are considered luxury pieces of furniture. One obvious reason for this is because leather sofas are very expensive. However, they are easy to upkeep and to keep clean which over time can lead to a worthy investment because as leather is a durable fabric it can last many generations and is often passed along as a family heirloom. It’s a versatile piece of furniture that can add style to any décor. Another great feature is its breathability. Leather stays cool in the summer without sticking to your skin and stays warm in the winter when you want some extra heat.

In this article I'd like to present some facts about leather sofas for those who are in the market. We'll discuss the advantages of owning one, how to choose the right one for your home, where the best place is to buy and how to take care of it for years to come.

Traditionally a deep brown, tan or black leather has been the most popular style of sofa with the most recognized being the Chesterfield. Their arms are typically as high as the sofa backs and the high quality English leather from which it is made is fastened by deep set studs. The cushions are plush and deep and provide a melting feeling for anyone who sits in it. These are great leather furnishings that look best in masculine rooms or regal type settings, rooms with a lot of dark wood. As there aren't a lot of these in most modern homes, the stylish Chesterfield has waned in popularity.

As for the contemporary, there are many styles and even more makers of fine leather furniture around the world. Popular styles like the Natuzzi leather sofas have been embraced by leather lovers the world over. Moreover the modern leather sofa offers the consumer numerous choices to fit personal design styles.

Still, for many, classic leather remains the sofa of choice. A traditional black leather sofa will accentuate almost any setting. Often they are extremely plush and charming and provide a unique highlight to any style of furnishings. Typically you can expect to pay anywhere from $1200 to upwards of $5000.

As a completely leather sofa will be very expensive, many manufacturers have turned to using real leather only in the sitting portion of the sofa. This includes the cushions and pillows and the inside of the arms. The rest of the sofa is usually made of polyurethane fabric in a faux leather style. This cuts down on the cost while continuing to provide stylish design. If you are looking to save some money, this is the way to go. The sofa won't have the durability of a top grain sofa and therefore won't last as long, but your overall importance of the piece should dictate what type of leather you prefer. Regardless, a sofa made of lesser quality leather will still outlast your standard cloth sofa.

Base your choice on setting and how long you intend to keep it around. Most leather used for the contemporary leather sofa is aniline, as with the Natuzzi leather sofa. This is a high quality leather put in an aniline dye to soften it and make it a more breathable fabric. The color may not be consistent because no pigment is added but it's mostly for aesthetic reasons that it's dyed in the first place. One thing to note about aniline leather is that it gets dirty easily and requires a lot of TLC to maintain. If used in a low traffic setting it would be perfect. Otherwise, expect to spend some time cleaning up stains and such.

Finished leathers or semi-aniline are the best bet. It looks like natural leather and is much easier to maintain. It is much more durable than aniline and still allows the flaws of the leather for a somewhat natural look while adding color consistency. Another style of contemporary leather would be bicast leather. This is aniline leather with a coat of polyurethane. The polyurethane takes away from the natural look and feel of the leather, but adds durability.

Depending on the style of leather sofa you have, the cleaning methods will vary. Regardless of method, your leather will maintain its luster as long as it is taken care of. Most of the time cleaning instructions will be provided with your purchase, so just use the guidelines in your owner's manual. If you do not have the manual, there should be a tag on the sofa somewhere inside or on the back providing the type of leather the sofa is made from. Otherwise you should test your cleaner on a small spot of the leather somewhere not easily seen.

Use a clean, dry rag with a small application of leather cleaner in a circular pattern similar to buffing a car. Typical applications take about ten minutes to dry. Once dry use a new rag to buff it away. Let it sit overnight and check the spot the next day to see if there were any adverse effects. If not, apply this process to your whole sofa. Maintaining the finish on leather sofas is important to its longevity. Twice a year is appropriate, though at least once a year is sufficient for proper maintenance.

I found a video that reinforces what I've discussed in my hub. It talks briefly about the different types of leathers. I hope you enjoy it.