The use of leather living room furniture has become increasingly popular and this popularity is well-deserved. Leather is very long lasting with a modicum of care and will generally outlast upholstered furniture by many years. Quality leather furniture can also significantly enhance the appearance of your living room.
Before purchasing leather living room furniture it is important to consider the use of the item. If the item is likely to be well used then use middle grade leather since it is easy to clean and is hard wearing. Don’t be surprised to find imperfections in leather furniture – such imperfections are a normal part of leather furniture and generally add character and originality. Over time, most used leather living room furniture will develop quite a bit of character.
If you are considering buying several pieces then buy them at the same time to ensure the best natural match and create a living room furniture set. Since leather contains natural imperfections and idiosyncrasies, it is difficult to match several pieces properly and buying at the same time increases the probability of a decent match. Either way, if you are considering leather living room furniture then make sure that you will take care of it since if you do this properly then the furniture will last you a lifetime and beyond.
photo credit: jenschapter3
One point to look out for is that the piece is entirely leather without vinyl since it is likely that the vinyl will wear out much sooner than the leather and the overall effect is one of very tired furniture that looks distressed.
If you have pets then consider carefully the purchase of a leather covered piece of furniture. Pets such as cats and dogs tend to easily mark leather and if the stain is not wiped immediately then the result is normally impossible to remove.
Once you have the piece of choice then ensure that it is regularly cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth which has been moistened with a solution consisting of two parts linseed oil and one part vinegar. If the leather suite is white then diluted lemon juice makes a very effective cleaner.
Another aspect which is worth considering when purchasing a leather covered piece of furniture is the color. Browns and Blacks are popular and easily cleaned. Lighter shades are also popular and the use of white and cream adds sophistication and class to the most mundane of rooms. The use of red leather is also popular but this color is much easier to stain and such staining makes the suite patchy and irregular in appearance.
The choice of leather should also consider the grade of leather. Full grain leather tends to be the most desirable due to its natural appearance. The term “top grain” is often used and this means that the leather has not been split. It’s better to ensure that all pieces are cut from the top grain since this means that they are from the same source and not from different pieces or include the use of added vinyl. Although quality is important, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to pay a high price. You can often find many good deals at discount living room furniture stores or online.
The final choice when choosing leather living room furniture is the location in which the piece is to be placed. Positions which are predominantly partially exposed to sunlight will quickly lose their color in the areas of exposure and the result will be a patchy appearance of the suite.