Chris Hemingway Blog

Leather: Why it's yet to go out of fashion

Leather trousers may have had their day, but when used in the home the hard-wearing material is yet to go out of fashion - and there's more than one reason why.

Of course, we're talking about larger pieces of furniture, like wooden dining table chairs featuring leather cushioned seats, and huge comfortable sofas.

Accessories in leather - like photo frames, storage boxes and cushion covers - may come and go trend-wise, but there's something about the leather sofa which continues to appeal to style-conscious home owners. Here's five reasons why it works in the home:

1. It looks great - Buy a leather sofa and it'll lend a certain level of elegance to a room in an instant. Don't be tempted to go for faux leather, though, which can look a little plastic-y and cheap. Offering a high end look, leather sofas tend to be more sleek in appearance than standard fabric ones, and a piece which is upholstered in leather should continue to look as good years later as it did the day you took delivery of it, if you care for it in the correct way (see point number 4).

2. Leather offers excellent value for money - While a leather sofa or chair may cost more than a fabric one upfront, in general it represents better value for money as it tends to last much longer. A real investment piece, a leather chesterfield sofa could last you over 20 years when looked after correctly. Ensure you keep sharp objects, such as keys, well away from your sofa and avoid spilling on the leather to safeguard against staining.

3. It's hypoallergenic - Great news for those who suffer from allergies! Leather is hypoallergenic, which means it doesn't harbour dust mites and other allergens as easily as fabric does, so you can lounge on your new sofa to your heart's content without the threat of a sneezing fit.

4. Easy to care for - While many fabric sofa coverings can easily be removed before hand washing or placing in your washing machine drum, leather is also as easy to care for in that it's wipe clean. It usually requires a light dusting or a clean down with a damp cloth, whereas fabric may need to be vacuumed and cleaned regularly. Certain types of leathers can be creamed' regularly, which works to condition the sofa or chair, too. Leather cleaning kits can be picked up from high street shops; ensure you select the right one for the correct type of leather your sofa's upholstered in. Again, faux leather sofas may require a completely different cleaning product for the best results, whereas bovine hides can often be treated with a treatment suitable for aniline leather.

5. It works with most dcor - Leather sofas - whether contemporary or vintage in style - tend to work in almost any home, from a modern apartment to a traditional town house. Add one to a home that's decorated in a retro fashion, or place a brand new leather sofa into a minimalist, contemporary house for instant wow factor.