A leather sofa tends to gives a look of elegance to a room. Previously a material exclusively available to the wealthy, as the cost of leather has become more affordable, the connotation of leather as a high-end material continues. Leather has evolved to include a wealth of colors, ranging from a creamy white to lipstick red to the blazing yellow of a hot sun -- all colors not normally associated with the animal the hide originates from.
As leather is a natural fabric, this allows it to adjust to the temperature changes from the outside weather. The fabric breathes, which keeps it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Leather also absorbs the natural oils from your skin and usually becomes softer as it ages, removing the starched stiffness you may first encounter. A leather sofa will adjust to fit the shape of your body, making it more comfortable over time.
Leather is a durable fabric. It can stand up to the harsh treatment received from children and pets. If a drink is spilt on the leather, a quick wipe with a wet cloth removes the spill and leaves the leather in the same condition. Leather is a strong material and can withstand physical trauma that would tear or scratch a fabric sofa. The color of leather will not fade as a leather sofa is made to last for a long time.
As concern for the environment grows, the hunt for a green and eco-friendly fabric to use in the home continues. Leather fulfills both requirements. Leather comes from a renewable source -- the hides of cows -- and is a natural fabric. Although there may be treatments applied to the leather, the treatment process provides color and imparts durability to the fabric; however, it is not used to make the fabric. Other processes the leather may endure include stretching and molding the fabric to the furniture design.