The main function of a sofa should be comfort, giving a feeling of relaxation. The sofa is the place we turn to when we are tired and want a few moments of peace. That is why it is important to carefully choose a piece of furniture, such as the sofa, on which our comfort depends to such a large extent. But we will face a big dilemma, natural leather or textile fabric? The choice will be guided by everyone’s taste, but also by practical aspects.
Choosing the type of upholstery material must take several aspects into account:
- age and lifestyle;
- the existence of pets;
- existence of children;
- purchasing power and allocated budget;
- personal tastes;
- the atmosphere and the place where the sofas and armchairs are used (living room, office, library…).
Fabric sofa
When we choose a sofa, we must take into account both color, structure and material. And all these three elements must combine with the atmosphere, the lifestyle of the owner, but also with the rest of the furniture in the room.
The textile material has the great advantage that it is not expensive and does not attract dust. A mix of cotton and wool will give the sofa a warm look and implicitly an air of peace and quiet. Fabric sofas can liven up the atmosphere with their look and color, giving a modern or traditional look to a room while giving the impression of being cozy, social and comfortable.
The advantages of the fabric sofa:
- Scratches produced by metal objects do not stand out, but pulled threads caused by the hanging of the fabric may appear;
- They can be cleaned with various special solutions;
- Good elasticity, good wear resistance, long service life;
- Depending on the composition, it is biodegradable (e.g. cotton, wool, linen…);
- The wide range of textures, patterns, prints, applied graphics, colors and shades;
- The price is low, similar to the cost of eco-leather upholstery, and accidents are easier to repair;
- In completely removable models, the cover can be washed very easily. You can also purchase additional covers by upgrading your decor every few months. Plus, after a while, fabric sofas can be reupholstered. That’s why it’s good when you buy the sofa to check if it can be reupholstered.
The disadvantages of the fabric sofa:
- Over time, the fabric can cut, fray or flake, and the cost of reupholstering can be unprofitable;
- It gets dirty easily, some stains may persist over time;
- They keep the smells in the room for a long time (smoke, cigarettes, animals, food…).
How to maintain the fabric sofa?
The main condition to keep the sofa as new for longer, regardless of the material it is made of, it must be placed in a ventilated place, away from the sun’s rays and other sources of heat, such as radiators. Heat can affect the color of the cover material over time.
Apart from special solutions for upholstery, most types of stains, especially wine or coffee, are removed with a sponge soaked in vinegar and water, which you dab on the affected area. Fruit stains, impregnated in the sofa, can be removed with the help of sodium bicarbonate diluted with white vinegar.
It is good to use the brush from the vacuum cleaner for dust and possibly animal hair. If the sofa cover is removable, ideally it should be machine washed twice a year, according to the instructions on the label.
Sofas whose cover cannot be removed must still be cleaned with a specific solution based on shampoo or dry foam, depending on the material used for the upholstery. There are also covers made of specially treated anti-stain materials. There is also the possibility of waterproofing the sofa cover, which will prevent stains from causing problems in the future.
Leather sofa
Leather was, is and will always be at the top, being used in different fields: clothing and footwear, car seat upholstery and last but not least, sofas. Leather, well cared for, “ages” beautifully, with time acquiring a patina that gives it extra style and elegance.
Choosing a leather sofa is an important decision: you have to consider style, design and price. Few but important negatives must be considered. For example, in homes with small children or where there are pets, it is not the best choice. The sofa can deteriorate quickly and repairs can be very expensive.
The advantages of the leather sofa:
- Natural leather can breathe, which makes it warm in winter and cool in summer, adapting to skin temperature in just 10 seconds;
- Special appearance, refinement, elegance, often becoming more valuable and more attractive with the passage of time;
- The leather tightens and does not deform, good elasticity, good resistance to long-term use, soft and comfortable;
- They are much more comfortable, but they are also more expensive, but they do not lose their qualities with the passage of time, therefore they are a good investment;
- It is much more resistant to wear;
- It fits both in a sober, classic room and in a modern one;
- It does not stain as easily as the fabric one, the removal of stains is achieved with good results, immediately after staining the upholstery;
- It is not so easily impregnated with the odors in the house, but it absorbs persistent odors (cigars, smoke);
- Sofas made of natural leather in the usable area and ecological leather in the areas hidden from daily touches have the advantage of a very good price, without giving up the comfort and durability of natural leather.
The disadvantages of the leather sofa:
- Much higher price compared to other upholstery materials;
- Light scratches produced by pets or metal objects are visible, but can be corrected with various special solutions, but many times the various marks can be intentionally left on the surface of the natural leather upholstery;
- Material consumption is high and reupholstering labor is expensive;
- The range of colors is relatively limited.
How to maintain the natural leather sofa?
It is not recommended to be kept in direct contact with sunlight or near heat sources, as it may discolor or crack. If something is spilled on it, the sofa must be allowed to dry. The use of products other than those specially designed for cleaning natural leather is not indicated. For easier maintenance, covers can be used.
Whatever your choice, if the covers can be removed and cleaned separately, this is a plus for your convenience. And if not, definitely make your own covers, which you can put on and take off just as easily anyway, but which can avoid maintenance accidents.