FT NEWS

The sofa is at the heart of the living room both visually and functionally, and it has to be perfect, right? The durability and comfort of the sofa depend on factors such as its support system, along with the infill material and the upholstery. For many, choosing between fabric and leather upholstery raises a conundrum, and understandably so. Both materials have their respective strengths and weakness. So, if you are planning to buy a new sofa or are about to reupholster an existing one, here are the pros and cons of both these types of upholstery. Read on and find out which option would be better suited for you.

Fabric upholstery
Fabric is most commonly used as sofa upholstery and it is made from natural and synthetic fibres. If your sofa is subjected to a lot of wear and tear it will require tough and tightly woven fabric. The higher the thread count the more tightly woven the fabric will be.

Pro: Comfortable
Fabric sofas are comfortable because the natural fibres that are present in fabric upholstery make it soft and allow it to breathe, and it feels warmer in winter and pleasanter in summer.

Pro: Available in multiple options
Fabrics comes in multiple options in terms of colour, texture and patterns. This makes it easy to select a style that fits with the decor and colour scheme of the room. Also, one can complement it with contrasting or matching cushions.

Make it a point to opt for only a strong support system for the sofa and high-quality fabric to ensure longer life and durability.

Con: Needs regular cleaning
These sofas need to be cleaned and vacuumed regularly. Fabric can easily get stained by food and drink spillage and permanent marks can become difficult to remove. Some fabrics come with a stain-resistant layer that protects the fabric from stains. You can also spray on stain protection yourself.

Do make it a point to do periodic deep cleaning and use upholstery cleaners/shampoos in order to eliminate stains, odours, dust mites and allergens that collect within the fabric.

Con: Colours can fade
A drawback of fabric upholstery is that the colours tend to fade with time. This can also be caused due to excessive use of the sofa, frequent washing, cleaning or prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Con: Collects dust mites
Fabric easily collects dust mites and If you have pets at home, pet fur and dander get stuck on the fabric.

Leather upholstery
If you want a high-end, modern look for your home go for leather upholstery. For a more traditional classic look, consider the Chesterfield style of sofa. There is a richness in leather that effortlessly imparts sophistication and class.

Pro: Easy to clean
Leather upholstery is easy to maintain; routine cleaning includes a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Also it is water-resistant, making it easier to clean stains and liquid spills.
To retain the shine of the sofa, use leather cleaners regularly.

Pro: Resistant to dust mites
The greatest advantage of leather upholstery is that it is hypoallergenic (unlikely to cause allergic reaction). Unlike fabric, it does not allow accumulation of dust mites, pet dander, fur and other allergens.

Pro: Firmer than fabric
Leather is firmer than fabric; it is a highly durable material with a lifespan that can range between 10 and 15 years.

Con: Gets sticky in summer
One negative of leather upholstery is that the sofa seats may get slippery and become uncomfortable in hot or humid weather. It is prone to show scratches, which does not make it pet-friendly.

Con: Expensive
This material is comparatively more expensive than fabric and is available in fewer colour options.