When investing in a high-quality leather lounge, the expectation is that the couch will endure a long lifespan. But there will be variables that discern longevity. First, it must be determined whether the leather is genuine and high-quality.
Authentic materials, when well-cared for and maintained, boast a lifespan of roughly “25 years plus.” If it’s found the furnishing is of a lesser quality, it’s suggested the material won’t be able to hold up longer than merely a few years.
Before making a leather purchase, it’s vital to research styles and types of leather to learn about the varieties. Plus, search for reputable brands specialising in these materials. That way, the companies you shop for leather lounges with will all offer only high-quality, durable, long-lasting products with competitive pricing.
Consider these suggestions as you compare lounges to find the one most suited to your home and lifestyle. These factors will affect the couch’s life and ultimately decide if you buy the piece.
What Lifespan Can You Expect From A Leather Couch
A genuine, high-quality leather couch adequately cared for and maintained is estimated to last roughly 25 years or longer. Still, some variables discern whether the couch you select will equate to a “genuine, high-quality” leather material meant to endure this lifespan.
An investment of this sort entails doing a bit of research before heading out to actually buy the piece. If you’re not versed in the material, you must become familiar with the styles and types to make an educated purchase.
You’ll also want to buy with a brand specialising in these leathers to ensure you receive an authentic product. The following factors can impact the lifespan and should be considered before committing.
Key elements to look for include construction and quality when buying a leather lounge
Naturally, a lounge solidly built with premium leather material will provide an extended life. The longevity is primarily affected by construction and the type and style of the leather.
If you’re uncomfortable recognizing a solid build, bring someone with you who can identify the key elements of a good construction.
You must have the following features:
- Cushions with high-density foam
- Hardwood, durable framing
- Reinforced corners
The highest quality leather lounges are meant to hold up to day-to-day living conditions and withstand time. Reputable builders ensure this to be the case.
The type of leather will determine durability and lifespan
Varied leather types exist, each with distinct characteristics, and some are more commonly used with furnishings. The material’s durability will affect the overall longevity of the lounge. The favoured choices include “full and top grains, bonded, split leather, genuine and faux leather.
When researching before committing to a purchase, it’s vital to understand how each differs, navigating from the highest quality, full grain, down to the faux leather, not a genuine leather product.
When buying, you must consider your lifestyle, the investment you want to make, and how long you want the couch to last.
Care and upkeep can extend the life of a leather lounge
The leather and couch structure can be preserved with adequate care and maintenance, including conditioning and cleaning. This will keep the piece from becoming discoloured or cracked and prevent drying.
Debris and dust should be gently removed with a soft, slightly dampened cloth manoeuvring over the surface. The conditioner will follow to moisturize the material, keeping it supple. Abrasives and harsh solvents should be avoided to prevent damage to the leather.
The couch can endure a longer lifespan when engaging in routine care and upkeep. You can effectively mitigate the risk of the restoration process or an attempt to bring the lounge back to its original condition. Go here for guidance on restoring a leather couch.
High-Quality Leather vs. Cheap Leather
Leather is highly sought after for furnishings like lounges because of its beauty, durability, timelessness, and longevity. It is a significant investment when buying high-quality materials, with not everyone having the budget, particularly when new to homeownership.
Fortunately, you can have the look of leather without spending a fortune with faux materials. With these, however, you won’t get a long-lasting product. These pieces will give you roughly five years when well cared for and maintained.
It does take a very attentive person to be able to tell the difference between the authentic and the synthetic.
Learn how to tell if your leather is fake at https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Genuine-Leather and then look at some key distinctions that will let you know when a material is of a high-quality.
You want the imperfections
Many people look at imperfections or flaws as bad things with furnishings, materials, with anything, but, in fact, these “defects” make your items one of a kind and prove that they are genuine. When you initially look at an authentic piece, you might see an irregularity and find it off-putting.
Leatherworkers with expertise in handcrafting natural leather will present materials with variations in the leather expecting this to be appealing to anyone familiar with high-quality authentic products. Over time, with use, the genuine leather ages, becomes marked, develops imperfections, and even discolours.
If you find a seamless lounge with no flaws and completely uniform, it’s a sign it is an inferior material.
The colour stays and will age well
A lower quality like faux leather, imitation, or synthetic materials has continuity or a uniform colour and appearance. With these lounges, the colour will bleed with constant touch or clothing sliding on the surface. Natural leather keeps its colour, and it will age beautifully.
Soft and supple vs. rigid
A high-quality leather lounge will be flexible and soft to the touch with a smooth texture. Lesser quality materials come with a rigidity. When testing, you should press your fingers into the material to see a few tiny wrinkles in the leather, which will disappear in a matter of seconds. That suggests high quality.
Final Thought
When comparing lounges for your home, consider your lifestyle, the investment you want to make, and how long you want the couch to last. If you’re just starting in a home, you might only hope to achieve the look of leather right now, settling for a faux piece.
But as a rule, when people want leather in their homes, they want the real deal. That involves finding a reputable dealer with experts specialising in handcrafting high-quality natural leather, imperfections and all.
