If you’re hunting for some fabulous new sitting room furnishings and want to make an investment that will last you decades, you might be wondering: Which is the best grain for a luxury leather sofa?

For many, the distinction between the various high-end offerings might be confusing and even seem irrelevant. However, our experts are here to tell you that making the correct choice will affect your overall experience and has a bearing on both the maintenance and longevity of your purchase.

Here is our professional guide on how to choose between a full-grain and a top-grain leather sofa.

What do we mean by ‘grain’ in a leather sofa?

The ‘grain’ in leather is all about its texture and composition. One of the first steps in the leather-making process is 'splitting' the animal hide. This produces the ‘top-grain’ or outermost portion of leather, which is full of durable twisted fibres and is used to make high-end leather sofas. The rest of the hide is referred to as the 'splits'.

This ‘top grain’ portion is then used to make a variety of first-grade leathers including full-grain, top-grain, and nubuck.

What is the difference between full-grain and top-grain leather?

All leather may seem identical to the untrained eye, but each type has unique characteristics that will determine its durability, functionality, and how well it will age. Top grain leather is of the highest quality and is broken down as follows:

• Full-grain leather is the outermost portion of the top grain that has not been altered, burned, shaved, or sanded down. It is the most superior of all leathers, making it a prize choice for any commercial application.
• Top-grain leather is the portion of the top grain that is sanded or buffed to remove any imperfections. It is versatile, long-lasting, and very popular amongst luxury leather sofa manufacturers as a slightly cheaper alternative to full-grain leather.
• Nubuck is leather in which the grain side has been sanded down or ‘napped’ to untangle the fibres in order to give it a velvety, suede-like feel. It is durable and water-resistant, making it a great choice if you’re looking for more cost-effective leather furnishings.

What are the characteristics of full-grain leather?

Full-grain leather is undoubtedly the cream of the crop when it comes to luxury and accounts for around only 5% of the overall global hide supply.

It is set apart from the rest because it has not been altered in any way, is made from the full thickness of the grain, and therefore retains all of the imperfections, natural markings, scarring, pores, and bites that the animal has acquired during the course of its life.

Although it can fade if exposed to sunlight and absorbs liquids easily, full-grain leather is tough, hard-wearing, and will resist tears and splits, making it the ultimate upholstery choice for any high-quality leather sofa.

What are the characteristics of top-grain leather?

Top-grain leather is sanded down to remove all of the hide’s imperfections and then imprinted with a grain pattern. Colour pigments are then added to provide a more uniform appearance.

It is typically thinner and less durable than its full-grain counterpart but has a beautifully smooth look and feel and is a fantastic choice for premium leather sofa manufacturing.

What are the benefits of a full-grain leather sofa over a top-grain leather sofa?

Although both are exceptional, choosing between a full-grain and top-grain leather sofa boils down to personal preference. Here are some things to consider when trying to decide between them:

• Quality and durability:
  Top-grain leather is only second to full-grain leather in terms of quality. This is because it retains all of its natural grain, which has a significant impact on its overall durability, strength, and longevity.
• The overall cost:
  Full-grain leather is the most expensive of them all and this price difference is influenced by several factors:
  Because it is unrefined, it is thicker and more difficult to work with, which increases its manufacturing costs.
  Only the best animal hides are turned into full-grain leather sofas, making it one of the rarest options available.
• How it ages:
  One of the characteristics of full-grain leather is that it ages beautifully, forming a natural and unique patina on the surface. This gives rise to subtle changes such as increased colour depth, suppleness, and a light sheen.
  Each premium leather sofa will age in its own way and in accordance with its environment.

To help make a final decision, read our article on how to choose a sofa that will last forever.

In conclusion

A quality leather sofa can be made from either full- or top-grain hides and, although they both have their pros and cons, either one is a worthwhile investment and will last you for decades.

Your final decision will boil down to your budget, taste, and style but whichever you choose, FCI London has a fantastic selection on offer. Give our dynamic design team a call today or pop into our spectacular showroom and let us introduce you to our wonderful world of luxury leather furnishings.