In the 1970's a luxury car maker had an advertisement for a special feature that could only be found in their cars. The popular actor Ricardo Montalban impressed upon consumers the luxury of "rich Corinthian leather." Perhaps no feature in a car exudes wealth and class like the inclusion of leather seats. Beyond just automobiles however, leather is one of the most versatile materials used in furniture for the home or office. Leather has remained a popular furniture material for decade after decade because of its beauty, durability, and versatility. Leather couches can be made to suit sleek, modern styles as well as in comfortable overstuffed lodge or country applications. When it comes to leather furniture, the decorating possibilities are endless: 

Sleek and Modern: When it comes to creating a look with clean, modern lines, no material is as popular as leather. Modern designers love the crisp look of leather on couches, chairs, and even bedroom headboards. Modern leather furniture is often more square or boxy in shape, and is often found in monochromatic black and white as the most popular color choices. Leather can be made in nearly any color however, and some designers have lines that include colors as diverse as hot pink and lipstick red. 

Comfy and Casual: For a completely different leather look, overstuffed soft leather sofa furniture and chairs can create a warm and inviting appearance. With dark woods and nailhead trims, leather can give the feel of a lodge, farmhouse, or den. Leather can be used to create a room that is masculine, yet inviting, making it the perfect material for use for the whole family.

Home Entertainment: More and more homeowners are including a media room in their homes. A common feature for many of these home entertainment centers is the inclusion of leather furniture. Watching a movie is much more fun in your own comfy leather recliner with arm rests and a cup holder. Leather living room furniture is also great for this type of room. A homeowner will never have to worry about spilled popcorn or drinks in a leather-appointed media room, because the leather seats will clean up with a quick swipe of a damp cloth. 

Types of Leather: Before buying leather furnishings, it is important to know a little bit about the kinds of leather most often found in American home furnishings. Aniline leather is the top of the line product, leather dyed in pure aniline dye. This kind of leather will be the softest, and most expensive, but is also the type most likely to lose color over time when exposed to sunlight or heat. Semi-aniline leather is a less-expensive choice, and includes a sealant to help prevent color fading. Nubuck is leather that has been sanded to have a soft, fuzzy nap to it. Nubuck is soft, but its unique texture makes it easy to scratch and stain, though it is more durable than a similar product, suede. 

The Cost of Leather Furniture

Cost: When shopping for furniture, there is a definite cost difference between most leather and upholstery furniture products. While leather appears to be more expensive, when you consider all the factors, it can turn out to be a much better value. The reason? Durability. With the correct care, a piece of leather furniture can last for many, many years. Fabric furniture will wear out, become soiled, or go completely out of style before its leather equivalent. If you consider that having leather means that you will not have to replace furniture as often, the price becomes much more reasonable. Leather is also a very durable material that will grow more supple and comfortable as years pass, without getting saggy or losing its shape. 

Care: The single biggest reason consumers give for being reluctant to purchase leather furniture is worry about how difficult it will be to care for. Having leather furniture need not be any more difficult to care for than upholstered items. In fact, when taken care of properly, leather furniture can last a lifetime, making it an excellent value over time. Modern tanning processes imbue leather furniture with products that will help to hold color, prevent cracking, and repel stains. In general, leather furniture needs to only be dusted or vacuumed on a regular basis. If liquid is spilled onto a piece of leather furniture, it should be wiped off as soon as possible before it penetrates down into the leather. A high quality leather conditioner applied two or three times a year will alleviate scratches and keep leather looking new and soft for years to come.