A Shoppers Guideline on Buying a Sectional Leather Sofa
Sectional leather sofas have recently become very popular. This is due to their chic look as well as their durability, comfort and simple cleaning process. These sectional sofas are best suited for large rooms, allowing more seats in the given space. In this guide, we’ll share with you some important tips you need to know before spending your hard earned money on a new leather sectional sofa.
The first step before you can begin the search is taking measurements. We want to make sure the sofa you’re going to purchase fits the room, so make sure to measure a maximum size as well as a minimum. A sofa that’s too small for the room will definitely not look right! Come up with an idea of how you would like to configure the sofa and measure that area.
Usually sectional pieces can fit through a standard size doorway, but always measure the doorways. The last thing you want to do is purchase a sofa and have no way of fitting it in the room you had in mind. I’ve seen some very narrow doorways over the years!
Once you have the size and the measurements noted, it’s time to start shopping. It’s extremely important to compare leather grains, although this maybe determined by your budget. There are two types of leather grains; top-grain leather and split leather. Top-grain leather is higher-end and will cost more. It’s more durable (which means it will last longer) and appears more natural looking. Top-grain leather can be more than one color, while split leather is usually one consistent color and doesn’t show much of a leather pattern.
The next step after choosing your grain of leather is choosing color. Black is obviously the most traditional, but if you’re looking for something even more contemporary I’ve seen some beautiful options in red or white leather. The most durable options will be leather that has been treated with pigments. Pigment treated leather does create a less natural look to the sofa and changes the feel as well. Semi-aniline, which is in the middle of the spectrum, has a lovely shine and natural patterns due to its treatment in a light wash. The most natural looking is aniline leather since this type does not go through any treatments.
For a softer option, suede and nubuck are available. When top-grain or split leather is buffed, this process creates a suede or nubuck material. In my opinion, these options are very comfortable and feel very soft. On the downside, they’re tough to keep clean and care for.
There are many different styles to choose from and once you know the style you like, be sure to check out the style of cushions. Some leather sectionals have removal back cushions which make life a lot easier when cleaning the sofa. However, most come with attached cushions.
These are some important tips to keep in mind when shopping for a new sectional leather sofa. Make sure you take your time shopping around as this is an investment that can last for many years!
This writer is an design expert living in New York City and has a passion for modern furniture. Her favorite type of furniture is contemporary headboards and leather sleigh beds. Find more information at her blog, leatherheadboard.org