Sofas - Leather or Fabric?

square_bear

Hi,
I need to buy a new sofa and armchair fairly soon, but not sure which type to have.
We have always had the fabric ones in the past.
But now there are children around since we bought the last suite we are thinking that maybe the leather option would be the best one to choose.
My concerns with leather are that they a little colder to sit on? and a little slippery when sitting on them?
Do others find this?
Any replies would be appreciated.
Thanks S.B

TiTheRev

Pro's:
Leather is wipe down, very handy with kids
If maintained will not age so quickly.
Harder wearing

Cons:
Can be cold and slippery.
Need maintenance!
More costly initial outlay (usually).

square_bear

Thanks for the reply.
Maintenance?
How often and what with?

payless

Personally I would go fabric unless you can afford a good quality leather ( natural )

TiTheRev

They (ideally) need a treatment of leather softener once a month or so. Just keeps it supple so it doesnt crack, and some of the products keep the colour too, otherwise they can fade in sunlight.

Little_Otter

my mum has always had leather sofas, which i hate, they are cold, and uncomfy IMO, when you do warm them up, your skin sticks to them, they aren't comfy to sleep on if you want a cat nap.....
I cant wait to move out and buy a huge comfy fabric sofa!!!

square_bear

What about the suede ones?

PasturesNew

Leather farts.

choccyface2006

My leather sofas still look as good now as when I bought them 4+ years ago, whereas my sisters which are fabric but very similar and from the same store and bought at the same time have really aged, they are not so firm and the covers have faded and can't be cleaned as well.

I use soap flakes on mine when I feel they need a clean but thats once in a blue moon and they are still lovely and supple, no cracks.

Having said all that, I don't think mine are not as cosy as hers, they don't feel as nice to sit on because they are leather and therfore much colder and more slippery, in the cold winter eveings DD and I bring our cosy fleece blanket down to snuggle up in to help overcome this.

Sarah

beyond_skint

We only treat ours once every 6 months. It's great with kids, wipe clean. I don't find ours cold at all, especially with central heating.
I also don't find ours slippy.
I would go with a good quality though as they do tend to soften over time so buy quite a firm one in the beginning.
Hope this helps

perfectlypoor

I agree the wipe clean aspect of leather is great with children, yes it can be colder and not as cosy as a fabric one but leather dosn't seem to absorb smells (cooking,pets etc) as much as fabric ones do.