How to Tell Good Quality Leather Furniture
Learning about quality leather furniture can seem like a daunting task at first. The key is researching the topic, which will result in increased confidence in your ability to tell the difference between low and high quality leather furniture, just from examining a piece. Knowing the right questions to ask a retailer up front will help you gain the additional knowledge you need to ultimately make a purchase you are pleased with. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Decide the type of leather you want, aniline or semi-aniline. Aniline is the highest quality leather. It is dyed once and buffed a little or not at all to remove imperfections. Aniline ages beautifully but is not protected and can be susceptible to stains and fading. Semi-aniline is of lesser quality. It goes through a lengthy process of dying and surface treatment, which makes it more resistant to stains and wear.
-
2
Consider top grain or split hide. Top grain is the highest quality because it is made with the best outer layer of leather and is more durable and better looking. Split hides are multiple layers of lower grade hides pressed together, which makes them less valuable as they are prone to wear more quickly than top grain.
-
-
3
Use full leather or a leather match. A full leather piece is the best choice because it is made with leather only. A leather match will have leather on the front areas of the piece and have a matching synthetic fabric on other less visible areas, decreasing the value.
-
4
Weigh comfort versus durability regarding tied coils or springs. Tied coil are more comfortable than springs and last longer. Springs offer durability as well but are less comfortable.
-
5
Hold costs down by using a combination of down and foam. Down cushions are the highest quality and the most expensive but do not stand up to use. A down/foam combination keeps its form much better.
-
6
Make a choice between a solid wood frame or a plywood/wood combination. Solid wood may cost more but it is not always the best choice for durability. A plywood/wood combination offers the strength of high quality plywood and is built to last.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Asking yourself these additional questions to ensure more satisfaction with your choice: What room will the leather furniture be placed in? How much will it be used and for what?
