Real Leather Couch vs. Faux Leather

Real-Leather Benefits

• Real leather has the benefit of authenticity. Also, well-cared-for and high-quality leather furniture can last for many years. It's highly durable and has a classic appearance that almost never goes out of style, and is created using natural materials of tanned animal hides. Real leather breathes and will soften over time.

Real-Leather Cons

• Genuine leather, especially high-quality genuine leather, is guaranteed to cost several thousand dollars or more. Since it's produced by using animal hides, this process continues to raise protests from animal rights and environmentalist groups. Real leather often fades in the sun and can crack and dry out. In addition, it's difficult to clean and can be damaged by neglect or a lack of maintenance.

Faux-Leather Benefits

• Faux leather is conflict free because it's made out of artificial materials and does not require animal hides as a part of its production. Available in a wide assortment of colors and textures, faux leather is also fairly inexpensive. It's easy to clean and can be wiped down with a moist wash cloth and soap to remove most stains.

Faux-Leather Cons

• Faux leather is less durable than real leather. It does not age as well as real leather, and will normally have to be replaced earlier than real leather, due to damage and flaws.