Tan leather - perfect colour choice. I had a leather sofa and you can stick to it in very hot weather, but only if bare skin touches it for a while. We don’t get many really hot days so I wouldn’t worry. It’s pretty hard wearing so great if you have children or pets. I would suggest a more rustic look which ages beautifully and can cope with scratches and wear better than a very smart, slick one. We also still have a leather wing back armchair which is super comfy.

I have only had leather sofas since having children and they have been a good choice. However, I prefer the look of nice knobbly fabric and it also feels nicer. We are currently waiting for a delivery of Sofa workshop sofas in a practical printed velvet, hopefully we will have made the right choice.

We’ve had both and do have a faux leather seat by the patio doors which is easy to clean.

We use a throw to sit on in both winter and summer but leather is just easier to clean than fabric. Especially if you have pets or kids!

If you do for fabric ones, make sure you can wash them as we have an ikea sofa bed and they tell us it can’t be cleaned at all. WTF. So it’s stained but not sure what to do about it!!

Many thanks for quick replies. Yes, Sonia, I agree. I am thinking about a more lived-in matt leather and definitely no buttons or shininess. More squishy than a chesterfield although I do quite like that shape.

Colourhappy - I'm hoping to have a velvet sofa in my other living room where we have a wood burner (efficient/low-polluting so please don't tell me off anyone) and the TV. I have gone for a very different vibe there - Hicks Blue, dark wood and lots of travel memorabilia.

I would still welcome opinions from anyone else with a leather sofa...

Thanks Tani. I too find it amazing how many products these days are labelled no washing or dry cleaning. Spot clean for rugs and sofas is also a bit of a joke surely? What worries me is that people are being encouraged to dump items because they cannot get them clean which is very bad for the environment.

I know. How can anyone make something that is always going to need cleaning, un-cleanable 🤷‍♀️ astounding!

Hi,

I've had leather sofas... wouldn't get them again.

They look great and are easy to clean, but if you are someone who gets cold easily and don't like the feel of cold surfaces in the winter you will cringe every time you sit on them in the winter. (I'm guessing you have wood burner because your house gets cold) and if you are someone who is generally hot all the time then in the summer when your're wearing shorts and t-shirt you will stick to them and they will make you very sweaty leaving wet patches as you get up. The worst is when guests leave wet patches where their bums have been! Once the sofa has been worn in a bit and the seat area gets a tiny bit saggy as they all do, you will find yourself sliding into the sag. You will find yourself pulling yourself out each time you get up, especially in the bigger sofas. An occasional chair as in Sonia's picture I think is fine or if they are in a secondary room.

Not to mention repair costs if you manage to damage the leather.

Regarding cleaning sofas then we bought a upholstery and carpet cleaning machine. (The house had very light cream coloured carpet throughout when we moved in) It works great. We never had a problem with fading or any extra wear and tear.

I had leather sofas in my old living room which was south facing and we found them hot quite frequently. I will also say though that we had a Mediterranean style courtyard and I used pale/golden limestone paving which really didn't help with the heat issue! I've got a leather sofa in my current house but it's in the basement and heat isn't an issue there although I will say cushions are a nightmare for staying put! I've never really found them too cold.

Thanks Houzzers. I am facing the usual dilemma whether to prioritise style or practicality and comfort! I suspect that the latter will win. The room is west facing and does become very warm in the afternoon and evening, especially now that we have french doors and glass panels. Perhaps I will settle for a leather chair although I have to say that I find them less cost effective than leather sofas.

I am sure that I will be back for more advice as I dither over other decisions.

We all dither, nothing to be ashamed of! Good luck 😊

You could always consider solar control window film? It's meant to reduce heat gain and offer resistance from fading significantly. Or maybe a canopy/awning? It would be interesting to know how they much they help with leather sofas although maybe it's something you may need anyway? My brother designed his own extension (south facing) with roof lanterns and ended up having the film retrospectively fitted in the lanterns within months as things were fading and it was too warm. It doesn't help with cushions though 😂

Hey, I have a leather sofa. Never been a problem for me, just gets a bit sticky in really hot weather.

would be careful about the type of leather, as there are different treatments which applied and can make a difference to longevity. we bought analine leather couch, very expensive but didn't know that although soft and comfortable it didn't take too well to every day use and hot body! it was our only couch and we had a his and hers side.......his side the leather darkened and after 5-7 years cracked, now ripped. only resolution, cotton blanket over the seat and back cushions. Recovering both seat and back cushions will be as expensive as buying again.... 3 years after quote we are no closer to deciding as it is a damned comfy couch and styles have moved away from classic to stiff and angular! Hint - do some reading on the leather types....

Thanks for the extra info kazzh. I really like the soft aniline leathers but I had heard tell that they stain rather easily so may not be the best choice with messy OH and toddler grandchild!

Your dilemma and dithering re getting your sofa recovered echoes mine exactly. We have a Victorian chesterfield, which we have had recovered once and now needs a complete overhaul plus recovering: an expensive job. But I cannot bear the thought of it going to landfill so I may try freecycling it to someone who is up for the challenge of DIY restoration. However, lockdown has certainly meant a lockdown on my living room renovation - midway! My only hope now is to make the most of Houzz to get my ideas straight.

I have had both cloth and leather and would always have leather I have 2small dogs and they never leave marks and if they do you can easily wipe it of if you spill any thing you just have to mop it up hope this helps

Hope you decided to go for a leather suite check out https://professionalleatherrepair.co.uk/ for tips on how to maintain your leather furniture