Leather Furniture – Elegant, Practical, Distinctive, The Perfect Choice

Leather furniture offers elegance, practicality and distinctiveness that are an aesthetic statement. The feel of leather is unique. No other piece of furniture emits such masculine character and charm quite like leather. It is the distinguishing touch that engenders a command ambience.

In selecting a piece of furniture you will find a vast array of designs and technique in applying leather. Some pieces of furniture will be entirely covered in leather while others will use leather in sections of the furniture, especially desks and tables. Such pieces will have gold embossing around the edges, look and see that it is applied in a clean and neat manner.

Of course the major pieces of leather furniture are chesterfields (sofas), loveseats, living room chairs and lounge chairs. Often created in an overstuffed design, these pieces are often heavy pieces that can last for generations. More modern sectional sofa designs are also popular.

A wide range of colors are available, from white to black, with the most popular and traditional being brown, burgundy, and black. The darker colors are much more practical and have a more elegant look. However, some do prefer white, light beige, and tan and look more contemporary.

Leathers are not all alike. Quality can vary. In selection, the top quality furniture manufacturers will use the best leathers available. Lesser brands may not. Look for the guarantee, and find out method of manufacture. While poor and high quality leathers are made in every country, the manufacturing technique determines the quality of leather.

• Varieties of Aniline Leather are the highest grades and the most expensive.
• Nubuck Leather or Buffed Leather are good grades but require more care because no protective coating is possible.
• Split Grain Leather is a layer of leather that has been split away, sanded, embossed with a grain pattern and spray painted to appear like a higher grade. This is passed off as "Genuine Leather" but has a brief life of about three years. This is used in cheap furniture and should always be avoided at all costs.

Leather furniture has stood the test of time and has been used since the days of ancient Greece and Rome. It is the mark of a good quality of life that distinguishes leather from fabric. It is a fine addition to the home. Look around and see the many styles of leather furniture that is available today.

Copyright © 2009 Aleister Holmes