Choosing luxury furniture for your living room can be an expensive endeavour and usually requires a hefty initial outlay. However, if you spend your full budget on something that will be around for decades rather than just a few years, your investment will definitely be worth it. So before you start shopping, it is best to do some research on which kinds of leather sofas last longer.

FCI London’s top designers have put together this guide on the different types of leather available, enabling you to choose something you’ll love for life.

The different types of leather used in furniture

When it comes to leather sofas, identifying a high-quality offering isn’t always easy because, unless you go to a reputable furniture supplier, navigating your way around “genuine leather” labels can be complicated.

This list explains the terminologies used in the leather world so that you can shop like a pro:

• Aniline leather: This type of leather is the most natural of them all and is unprocessed aside from being treated with a clear, vegetable-based aniline dye which preserves the hide’s natural softness and feels. It is luxurious, expensive and the best choice of all.
• Semi-aniline leather: Refers to top grain leather that has been aniline-dyed and then given a protective coating, which may be clear or coloured. It is typically resistant to spills and scratches and still retains most of the softness found in aniline leather. This treatment is intended for frequently used furniture and is ideal for households with children and pets.
• Full-grain leather: Comes from the top portion of the hide, proudly displays all its natural markings and is the most exclusive, expensive and durable option available, making it a much-loved family heirloom. Only 5% of all leather sofas are made from full-grain leather.
• Top-grain leather: Also comes from the uppermost part of the hide, but the natural markings have been removed using a sanding process before being stamped with a grain-like pattern. It is one of the longest-lasting choices available but, like full-grain leather, has a hefty price tag.
• Nubuck: This is top-grain leather that has been buffed to give it a suede-like appearance. It is prone to staining and fading, so requires a bit more maintenance. However, if you’re on a tight budget it’s still a great, high-end offering.
• Split-grain leather: Is sourced from the lower part of the hide and is usually turned into suede. It is brittle, wears badly and is not suitable for furniture upholstery.
• Pigmented leather: Is sanded to remove any imperfections and then dyed all the way through with a thick, coloured protective topcoat. It is the easiest leather to maintain, making it the perfect choice for busy households.
• Corrected-grain leather: This is the term used when leather is lightly sanded to remove both flaws and the original texture. It can then be enhanced with faux grain.

Read our article on the best grains for a luxury leather sofa to find out more.

How to care for your leather sofa

If you've recently purchased a new leather sofa, you'll want to do everything possible to keep its quality and appearance. It’s easier than you think – here are six tips:

1. Avoid heat: Heat can have a significant impact on the look and durability of any leather sofa, so keep it away from radiators, fireplaces and even warm cups of cocoa.
2. Stay away from sunlight: Sunlight causes discolouration, drying and cracking, so either reposition your sofa or close your curtains and blinds during the hottest parts of the day.
3. Give it a dust: Your leather sofa should be dusted with a microfibre cloth or vacuumed regularly. Occasional crumbs can be removed with a soft brush.
4. Wipe up spills: Clean up spills immediately with a damp cloth and mild soap, then pat dry with a microfibre cloth.
5. Plump it up: If your sofa has removable cushions, rotate and plump them up to keep them soft, comfortable and looking brand new.
6. Treat and protect: Using specialised leather conditioners several times throughout the year will restore dry leather and prevent it from cracking.

Which type of leather lasts the longest

While the grain, treatment and maintenance of a leather sofa have a great deal to do with its longevity, there are certain aspects of the animal’s life that will also determine its overall quality. These include:

• Age: Younger animals produce a higher quality hide.
• Gender: Female animals have a denser hide with a finer grain structure.
• Nutrition: Free-range animals that live in open pastures with access to good, natural food has higher-quality skin.
• Climate: The colder the conditions, the poorer the hide.

At the end of the day, full-grain leather is the optimal choice and should last you a lifetime but if it’s way beyond your means, pigmented leather is the most durable because of its resistance to spills, fading and any scratches.

However, if you want something with a more natural look and feel, opt for aniline or semi-aniline sofas.

How to choose the right type of leather sofa for your home

When shopping for a high-end leather sofa, look for offerings that are both comfortable and well-made. The best-quality sofa brands have distinguishing features that are easy to spot once you know what to look for.

Make sure that you have a price range in mind and spend your full budget so that you get the best quality available.

You also need to decide on the size of your sofa, ensuring that it will perfectly fit your allocated space without looking either lost or overbearing.

Although genuine leather is difficult to puncture, it can still be scratched by animal claws, so take the grain into consideration when you shop.

Check the quality by examining the following:

• Texture: It should feel slightly rough and uneven.
• Smell: It should smell like leather, not plastic.
• Warmth: Genuine, high-end leather is naturally warm to the touch.
• Blemishes: If there are blemishes on the surface of the leather, it is a top-grain product.
• Price: All bespoke leather sofas carry a high price tag, so if you find something cheap, beware!

Other factors that determine a good sofa are:

Frame:

The most durable frames are made from dense hardwoods such as walnut, maple or teak.

When testing out a sofa, don’t be afraid to give it a wiggle to make sure that it is sturdy and remember to ask about the joinery.

Dowels, screws, glue, corner blocks and staples should all be used in sturdy frame construction and, if the mortise and tenon method has been employed, it’s sure to last for decades.

Suspension:

Like cars, a sofa has a suspension system which adds to its comfort and durability, so make sure to test it out by sitting on different parts of the seat – if it squeaks, consider it a no-no.

Make sure that your sofa contains a sinuous system of springs and beware of pocket and drop-in coils as they are uncomfortable and will leave indentations in the cushions as they age.

Padding:

The padding in your cushions makes a huge difference to the general ease of your sofa and, while your final choice boils down to personal preference, some fillers are definitely more upmarket than others.

Goose and duck down are the most expensive options and often contain sewn-in baffling to help maintain their shape. Other options include memory foam, which is dense and form-fitting and poly-wrapped foam which is supportive and easy to clean.

Whatever you choose, cushions should be fluffed and flipped frequently to avoid being flattened and worn.

In conclusion

Shopping for leather sofas involves picking out something that will both suit your budget and give you years of good use.

At FCI London, our experienced design team are expert in quality leather sofas and is on hand seven days a week to answer all your questions and help you select the perfect match for your home. Give us a call today or visit our showroom for a chat and a cup of coffee – we can’t wait to get the ball rolling.