Help Me To Decorate My Living Room

Hi David,

This link offers basic pros and cons of leather vs fabric:

https://www.furnitureinfashion.net/Blog/pros-and-cons-to-buying-leather-sofa-versus-fabric-sofa/

In addition to it there are other factors in everyone's home that can also influence a decision of what is best. To name a few: usage, kids, pets, humidity, location in the room, and so on.

One thing to have in mind...the height of the sofa off the floor, some are set so low you have no trouble sitting down onto it, it is another thing to be able to get up off it easily.

In our home we have had both over the years, the fabric ones eventually needed reupholstering because of everyday wear, they looked worn and tattered. So far the leather has stayed the just perfect.

Best to you.

Leather, if cared for, will last longer. I have fabric that looks like leather. I like to trade sofas every 6 or 7 years.

Hi David, Is this a formal living room? or a family room with a tv? I always love a sofa with fabric because I find that to be more comfortable...however, I think in 10 years, fabric goes out of style quickly. I think the type of leathers stay in style longer if you want to keep a couch for a while. Even though I don't find leather to be as comfortable, if you have a tv in the room, I would go for leather with a recline. We got one last year and LOVE IT!!! It's so comfortable and with blankets, not having fabric doesn't bother me! Just decorate with nice patterned pillows and a plain leather couch will look amazing;)

You've been given some good advice, but i would add that a good leather sofa will be expensive. On the positive side, it will last a long time.

We like our leather and have had it for 10 years. Make sure it's true leather though and not bonded leather. Bonded leather is the kind that peels after about 5 years.

search your local buy and sell! I was able to find a beautiful leather sofa worth thousands for $200! Just search a lot and be patient.

Real leather is better than the faux stuff. It ages beautifully. The faux stuff cracks and peels. I’d rather fabric than faux leather any day.

Any sofa can last 10 years if it's taken care of. I think that it's more of a personal preference. I don't like the feeling of cold leather, so I've never been big on leather furniture, but deams easier to clean off than fabric.

Hello.

A lot depends upon your budget and where you shop.

What type of furniture fabric versus leather may also depend if your pets or not and possible placement. We purchased an $$$$ Ethan Allen plaid sofa from the showroom swatches and the fabric faded and did not last even though it was very expensive.

We have found fabulous furniture on craigslist and can we recommend that for sourcing. We have purchased Drexel and Ethan Allen furniture and even Amish handmade wood furniture for 75-90% of the original cost.

With people moving and relocating and downsizing incredible buys could be found I’ve also heard that Facebook marketplace can be an option.

Try search there with your terms for instance we got an Ethan Allen leather sofa plus chair and ottoman for a couple hundred dollars the sellers even threw in a rug. We had to rent a U-Haul but it was still well worth the additional fee. Best wishes on your furniture sourcing.

Hi David, this really is personal preference decision. Either fabric or leather will last if well taken care of through the years. I suggest you decide on a very classic design and be sure to sit o n it, lie on it, etc. to be sure it "sits well". One that has too narrow (front to back) or too wide can be uncomfortable and will annoy you. I'd also suggest a very basic design and color so it will work well in most color schemes through the years. I've had several sofas through the years and if I were starting out with furniture purchases again, I would prefer leather.

Leather is the longest lasting.

I purchased a large fabric sofa off of Amazon and we absolutely LOVE it! I was so impressed with the quality at such a low price.

Hi David, I have a leather sofa that we have have had for over ten years, and we have a dog, it has held up a great and it still looks great! I condition it two times per year, once in the spring and once in the fall

Costco has some nice sofas that last for years. If you get a fabric sofa make sure it has fabric guard on it. If not go to a fabric store of even academy and buy a fabric guard spray.

There are different grades of leather out there. Some are less expensive, but treated to resist stains. Others have no treatment and are best reserved for people who never eat or drink near the sofa, have no children or pets, who wear no articles of clothing having zippers, etc. which could scratch the leather, etc.

Those well constructed pieces can last more than 20 years, with regular upkeep (dusting, keeping leather away from excessive sun, heat, air conditioning vents, or applying leather conditioner as instructed).

If you want to remove the seat/back pillow covers, look for zippered covers hidden by folds of leather. The sofa should not flex when lifted at one end. Some weigh hundreds of pounds. And make sure it fits through your doorways and angles in your home, before purchasing.

I would go with leather for long lasting. I bought 2 leather sofas from Ashley Furniture in 2009 and they still look like new. They have recliners on each end and my girls love sleeping on them.

All types of sofas are suitable for at least 10 years. Now, Your confusion about leather sofa and fabric sofa, then just know one thing, Leather sofas are made from real leather, which is more durable and comfortable. Also at the same time, it cost too high. Whereas, Fabric sofas are the man made sofas. They are less comfortable as compared to leather sofas and also cost less. I found one guide over internet. You can refer to it here. Also, there are large variety of choices and colors are available in fabric sofas ( due to man made ). Hence, I always recommend Fabric Sofas.

Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any second hand shop. You will need to do a lot of looking before you find the perfect one.

Hi David: I would suggest a fabric sofa. They are easy to clean, and a leather sofa can be cleaned easily, but the oils are removed with each cleaning and eventually it will dry out and crack. Leather shows scratches and, if your home is warm, and you are wearing shorts, you will sweat to your sofa :( I have a synthetic fabric sofa that is over 40 years old, camel brown and still looks good, even having gone through 2 kids through their teen years numerous dogs and cats and 1 bird. The only thing wrong with it is that the strapping on the bottom of one side needs to be redone. I'd get one with a texture, not a slick fabric. If you do go with leather, make sure you get one from a reputable place as the cheaper stores sell leather that is thinner and not as good a quality and may crack and/or split easily. Anyway, that's my take on the subject :) Good luck with whatever you choose.

It’s going to depend on how much use you’re expecting. You can find great stuff on a limited budget at a Habitat ReStore or can sometimes hit the jackpot at a thrift or consignment shop.

Just do not buy bonded leather. It will not even last 2 years and you will hate it. Buy a second hand quality leather if you can't afford a new one.

Check out Wayfair and Overstock has some great buys

A few years I got a microfiber sofa from La Z Boy. It was fairly affordable, and it has held up well. It still looks great. You can see my sofa here.

I'd go with fabric, it will be a lot cheaper... plus, if you have pets they can damage/scratch the leather. The fabric you can have a lot more options with color, too.