Have you decided that 2026 is the year that you finally upgrade your current living room furniture? Has your once comfy couch reached the end of its lifespan? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to consider durable and long-lasting leather seating.
Whether you want to buy a few cosy lift chairs or a stylish lounge suite, the golden rule should always be to upgrade from what you already own. For many Australians, this involves opting for a quality leather lounge suite that not only looks classy but is guaranteed to last a lifetime. If this is your plan, then this post is a must-read.
Style Combined With Comfort and Durability
There are many reasons why people of all ages prefer to buy genuine leather seating for their living rooms, dining rooms, or even reclining Space chairs for their home offices. In addition to being super comfortable, leather seating also represents a sense of sophistication, luxury, and timeless style.
When shopping for a new leather lounge suite or recliner, the golden rule is to remember that not all leather material is the same. There are quite a number of fake products being passed around as genuine.
It’s essential to keep an eye out for these as they will more than likely need to be replaced before you know it, which means your dream couch will cost you more than it should. We’ve compiled a list of the signs to look for as you start shortlisting potential suites.
1. There Should be Imperfections
Few first-time leather buyers are aware that leather, despite having a reputation for being perfect, doesn’t always look like it. This is because a piece of genuine leather should always have some form of imperfection.
Typically, this is found in the form of subtle grain imperfections, which are in fact the pores of the original animal. Keep in mind that you’re buying a piece of animal hide that has been treated but not altered.
It’s a good idea to ask a sales assistant to show you a fake (commonly called faux) leather chair or couch. This will have a plastic-like feel and look. Once you know what not to look for, it becomes easier to spot the real deal. Keep in mind that fake leather cracks and tears after a short period, leaving you with an ugly suite you can’t use.
2. Always Check the Back and Side Panels
Another clear indication that you’re dealing with a faux leather suite is that the whole suite will be made of the same fabric. This is because these faux sheets are mass-produced in large sheets, making it easy to cover an entire lounge suite.
Genuine leather, on the other hand, comes in pieces which are the size of the animal it belonged to. This means that it’s impossible to find a piece of cowhide big enough to cover an entire suite. The best piece of hide will always be used on the seating area of the couch. The side and back panels will then have slightly different grain variations from the main seat.
3. Stretching Should Reveal Flexibility
Another piece of advice worth remembering is to ask for a sample swatch. These often come in the form of a booklet that shows the colours and textures of available suites. Test the sample to see if it stretches and if it feels smooth or slightly grainy.
This is important because a super-tight piece of material means that the leather is likely to crack as it ages or becomes exposed to the sun. You should always opt for fabric that has a significant amount of stretch and flexibility.
This is essential if you’re going to be using your lounge suite all the time or if you’re going to be placing it in a very sunny spot. You’ll want a suite that’s going to be able to stand up to regular wear and tear.
4. Always Check for Signs of Woven Mesh
Since leather is essentially the hide of an animal, its natural function is to breathe to remain functional. This doesn’t change just because you’ve turned the hide into a couch. To ensure that the leather fabric is still breathable, the manufacturer will add a layer of mesh to the underside of the loose cushions.
The mesh used will almost always be of a high quality and will be lightly woven. You’ll instantly be able to see it when you turn the cushion over, as it won’t be the exact shade as the leather hide.
Final Thoughts
If you need new seating in your home, it is always a good idea to buy the best furniture that your budget will allow. If that’s leather, then you’ll end up with a suite or recliner that’s not only durable but comfortable as well. Use our tips to take the stress out of finding the perfect seating for your living room or office. You’ll be glad you did!
| Are you an
Entrepreneur or Startup? Do you have a Success Story to Share? SugerMint would like to share your success story. We cover entrepreneur Stories, Startup News, Women entrepreneur stories, and Startup stories
|
Read business articles related to Sales, Marketing, Advertising, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Management, Education, and Industry at SugerMint.
