Leather is one of the most popular and durable upholstery options available, and leather sofas are among the most widely purchased furniture items. But deciding what type of sofa and leather is best for you takes some research. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the different types and styles available to help make the decision easier. Pigmented leather Pigmented leather is used the most frequently for upholstery as it’s among the most durable, due to its polymer surface coating. The coating can be embossed, printed or plain, and means the leather can withstand a greater amount of scuffing and wear. Aniline leather Among the wide variety of leathers available, aniline leather retains the natural characteristics of the animal hide, and so offers the most natural-looking aesthetic. Aniline leather is usually only treated with dye rather than additional coat finishings, and so does require some maintenance, however a light non-pigment surface coating is sometimes applied to offer greater protection against soiling and spills and to accentuate its natural look. Semi-Aniline leather Semi-aniline leather is treated with a light surface coating containing a small amount of pigment to add more durability. It still, however, retains its natural look and means a more consistent colour across the couch. Graining The graining of the leather refers to the patterns and markings on the hide below the hair. Full-grain leather is made from the top layer of the hide, offering a tight, moisture resistant and more durable graining with a more natural aesthetic. Top-grain leather is similar, however the top layer has been buffed and sanded to reduce markings and offer a more consistent colour. Bonded leather Bonded leather is manufactured by blending many pieces of hide together into a seamless piece. Its durability makes it more appropriate for furniture that will see a lot of use and wear, such as kitchen and dining room chairs. See below for additional information about bonded leather if you’re thinking of purchasing it. Additional considerations When shopping, be mindful that while some couches are labelled to be leather, there are variations in the quality or whether the material is in fact leather at all. Bonded leather often incorporates synthetic materials and is technically not genuine leather. Other sofas may also simply have the word “leather” included in their name, which does not guarantee the fabric is 100% leather. And other furniture pieces may have some sections made of leather, while other sections aren’t. It pays to ask just how genuine the leather is, if that’s an important factor to you, and how much of the couch is made of leather and how much of other materials. For more inspiration and to see how different types of leather can complement your lounge room, visit the Melbourne Gainsville showroom, displaying a wide range of the best leather sofas available in all styles and sizes. Gainsville excels at producing contemporary designer furniture for the way we live our lives today. They pick the finest fabrics and materials and design many of their range in house, enabling strict control over the production process and assurances offered about the final product. If you can’t make it to Melbourne, have a browse on their extensive website for thorough product descriptions and photos.
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