Choosing the right material for your couch doesn’t just impact your space’s appearance—it also affects your comfort. As such, it’s important to choose wisely. The three main types of materials that sofas are made from include leather, natural fibers, and synthetics. It’s important to be aware of each material’s characteristics such as their stain resistance, durability, and texture to find the option that is best suited to your unique lifestyle. To help you choose between the many different types of materials for a sofa, continue reading this guide.
Leather
Leather sofas are admired for their classic appearance and durability. Typically, they last up to four times longer than sofas made from natural or synthetic materials. Different types of leather to choose from include top-grain leather, and split leather, and full-grain leather. Top-grain leather is created from the strongest and highest-quality part of the hide, while split leather is created from the bottom half of a folded hide. Because it doesn’t have a natural grain, one must be embossed onto it after it’s buffed and sanded. After being finished, it has a similar appearance to full-grain leather, which is unsplit and has a natural grain. Because top-grain leather isn’t corrected, its natural blemishes are showcased.
Natural fibers
Examples of popular natural fabrics include cotton, silk, wool, and linen. There are many benefits of choosing a sofa made from natural fibers. Among these are their potential to last for long periods of time due to their dense weave and their wide price range, which can suit various budgets. In addition to their practical benefits, natural fibers also have many aesthetic advantages, as they can be created in several different patterns, colors, and weaves. However, sofas made from natural fibers are more susceptible to damage from moisture and sunlight, which can cause their appearance to diminish over time.
Synthetics
Synthetic fibers are man-made petroleum products which are often designed to mimic the appearance and feel of natural materials, such as wool or suede. Some synthetic fibers that are often used to create sofas include polyester, nylon, acrylic, and olefin. In addition to being resistant to stains, sofas made from synthetic fibers are also known for their durability and resistance to scratches, making them a popular choice among pet owners. However, low-quality sofas made from synthetic material can wrinkle or pill over time.
