Back to U.S. Website, APO/FPO FurnitureExtra 25% OffSelect Furniture by Abbyson*RugsExtra 15% OffSelect Area Rugs by Nourison*DécorExtra 15% offSelect Home Decor by Christopher Knight*Bed & BathExtra 10% OffSelect Bedding & Bath by Madison Park*Home ImprovementUp to 25% off + Extra 10% off Lighting & Ceiling Fans*KitchenExtra 10% OffKitchen & Dining*OutdoorExtra 10% offSelect Outdoor Furniture by Highwood*JewelryUp to 70% Off + Extra 10% OffJewelry*WatchesUp to 70% off + Extra 10% offWatches*WomenExtra 10% offWomens Clothing & Shoes*MenExtra 10% off Mens Clothing & Shoes*Kids & BabyShop Car Seats MoreUp to 50% + Extra 10% OffSelect Luggage & Handbags* Best Types of Leather in Furniture Leather furniture is a very popular choice for many families' living rooms. It's a look that has been popular for many years and will never go out of style. Different types of leather are used in furniture and each has its own characteristics. The type you should select depends on how you will use the furniture.
In addition to personal preferences concerning aesthetics, consider your family's lifestyle when choosing leather furniture. Are you confused about which kind of leather furniture is right for you? This article will help you learn the best types of leather in furniture. Best Leather for Furniture: Full-grain:Full-grain leather is used in only the highest quality furniture. This leather undergoes no processing or sanding to remove discoloration. Full-grain leather makes for tough, long-lasting furniture. If you have children and pets and anticipate using the furniture in high-traffic rooms, the durability of full-grain leather may appeal to you. Split-grain:If you've ever seen a piece of furniture sporting a "genuine leather" tag, it's most likely a piece of furniture covered in split-grain leather. Split-grain leather often has the same pattern discoloration as full-grain leather, but it isn't as tough. It comes from the lower half of hides, making it softer but less durable than full-grain leather.
Aniline:Aniline leather is usually full-grain leather that has been treated with dye. This dye hides any imperfections in the leather. It is a common choice for people who want to buy high-quality leather furniture but prefer a more uniform color. Aniline leather is usually softer and more supple than other types of leather due to the dye treatment, but it has the potential to fade if exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Pigmented:If you have children or pets at home, pigmented leather furniture is your best bet for great looking, long-lasting furniture. It is lower-grade leather dyed to hide all color imperfections. This gives the leather a shiny outer coat. It's stiff to the touch initially, but it softens with use. Pigmented leather is also resistant to stains and liquids.Clear all selections Departments $ to $ Clear all selections $ to $ Clear price of All Online In club Palisades 100% Top-Grain Semi-Aniline Leather 4 Piece Set | Braxton Leather Pushback Recliner |
Sophie Top-Grain Leather Sofa, Loveseat and Armchair Set | Emily Leather Chaise | Manhattan Top-Grain Leather Living Room 3-Piece Set: Reclining Sofa, Loveseat and Chair | Mavin Top-Grain Leather Sofa, Loveseat and Armchair Set | Liston Top-Grain Leather Sofa, Loveseat and Armchair Set | Stevens Leather Swivel Glider Recliner, Red | Verona Top-Grain Leather Reclining Sofa, Loveseat and Chair Set | Charles Tufted Leather Chaise | Blakely Top-Grain Leather Sectional | Mowen Leather Pushback Recliner | Riley Top-Grain Leather Reclining Sofa and Chair | Jacobs Top-Grain Leather Pushback Recliner | Helena Top-Grain Leather Sofa, Loveseat, Armchair and Ottoman Set | Lane Furniture Anthony Top-Grain Leather Power Rocker Recliner | Montclair Top-Grain Leather Sofa and Loveseat Set | Restoration Vintage Leather Craftsman Full-Grain Leather Sectional Sofa | Hamptons Top-Grain Leather Reclining Sofa, Loveseat and Chair Set |
Terranova Top-Grain Leather Reclining Sofa, Loveseat and Armchair Set | Natali Italian Leather Sofa | Riley Top-Grain Leather Reclining Sofa | Bristol Vintage Leather Craftsman Living Room Set | Taylor Top-Grain Leather Sofa, Loveseat and Armchair Set | Bentley Leather Recliner Sofa, Loveseat and Armchair Set | Barcelona Leather 3-Piece Sectional Sofa | Prestige Designs XL Performance Zeus Rocking Reclining Chair | Lane Furniture Henry Top-Grain Leather Reclining Sectional Sofa | Espresso Faux Leather Club Chair with Ottoman | Catherine Top-Grain Leather Sectional and Ottoman | Kingston Top-Grain Leather Sofa, Loveseat and Recliner Living Room Set | Maverick Top-Grain Leather Sofa, Loveseat and Armchair Set | Bentley Top-Grain Leather Recliner | Chelsea Leather Convertible Sofa | Verona Top-Grain Leather Sofa | Lane Furniture Henry Top-Grain Leather Dual Reclining Loveseat | Tobi Leather Wingback Chair |
Brighton Top-Grain Leather Sofa | Tribeca Leather Chair and Ottoman | Prestige Designs XL Performance Zeus Reclining Sofa | Verona Top-Grain Leather Recliner | Cloud Rocker Recliner | Prestige Designs XL Performance Deluxe 3-Piece Set: Reclining Sofa, Loveseat and Chair, White | Natuzzi Cara Leather Sofa | Prestige Designs XL Performance Deluxe 3-Piece Set: Reclining Sofa, Loveseat and Chair, Brown | Ravello Full-Grain Leather Sofa, Loveseat, Chair and Ottoman Set | No results Clear all selections to show more results.Leather is not just leather. Different grades and cuts give it a different feel and texture and also impact how it ages. Some buzzwords you may hear when shopping for leather furniture are "top grain", "full grain" and lately "bonded leather". These terms basically describe the type and condition of the hide. Top and Full Grain Leather Top grain simply means it is the outer most part of the hide, and that it is not a split or under part which has less strength and durability.
When the processing is started the top of the leather is sheared from the hide leaving a split. A split is good for a back or side, not a place where you will sit as the hide will stretch and lose its shape. A full grain hide is left with all its natural characteristics and markings in the processing stages. You will see a variety of grains from small to very heavy and this is ok. This shows that you are getting a genuine, minimally processed hide with natural markings. You will see many types of grain patterns and can determine which fits your preference. The majority of the leather sold on the market has been buffed to eliminate heavy grain or imperfections and give a smooth uniform appearance and feel. Some hides are embossed with a simulated grain to give a very uniform look. Nevertheless, these are all good, long lasting alternatives to fabric and micro fibers. For those who suffer from allergies, the dust that collects in conventional fabrics can easily be kept in check with leather.
Lately there has been a lot of talk about bonded leather. This is a new introduction to the market and really is not leather at all. It is more synthetics and less than 20 % leather off cuts that are ground down and processed into the synthetic before it hardens to give it a leather grain look. Bonded leather is already in it's second generation, the first being released at the beginning of 2007 and the latter coming to the market about 18 months later. There are vast improvements in the quality and look of the 2nd generation bonded materials but at the end of the day, they are synthetic and will never have the same characteristics of real leather. Real leather's allure comes from the fact that it gets better with age. It requires 'wear-and-tear' to look even more rich and feel even softer. Remember that leather is a natural product so it is never perfect. Scars and various grains are all normal characteristics of genuine leather. The more expensive and natural, the more this rings true.
Finally, beware of ultraviolet rays that can dry, crack and fade just about anything and leather is no exception. Look for a conditioner with UV protection. The good news is, leather can get better with use and age as it loosens up and develops a softer feel if taken care of properly.– A short discussion on leather and leather types. What is Full grain Leather? – A brief article that describes full grain leather and it's benefits. How to Care for Top Grain Leather – A step by step guide to keeping your leather furniture looking great. Full and Top Grain Leather – Full and top grain leather as defined by the LIA (Leather Industries of America). Wikipedia on Bonded Leather – Wikipedia defines bonded leather and it's uses.Wikipedia defines bonded leather and it's uses. Bonded Leather Making Headway in Furniture – Article in Furniture Today that examines bonded leather's increasing popularity with furniture manufacturers and consumers. Report to the American Home Furnishings Alliance on Bonded Leather (PDF) – A report that defines bonded leather and offers ways to promote this material to customers.