Differences in Leather Couches

Full Grain Leather

• Full grain leather is used in some of the finest leather couches. Full grain leather isn't processed or sanded, but remains natural with the leather grains intact. This leather is the strongest and most durable type of leather because it is made from the outer layer of the cow's hide. Due to the exclusivity of full grain leather, you will have to pay a high price for this kind of couch. Generally, you can expect to invest more than $2,000 for a full grain leather couch.

Split Grain Leather

• Split grain leather is made from the innermost layer of the cow's hide, rather than the outermost layer that makes full grain leather. Although split grain leather has a unique patterned texture, it isn't as durable as full grain leather. You should avoid purchasing a couch with split grain leather if it is expected to endure a lot of wear and tear, especially from pets.

Aniline Leather

• Aniline leather is treated with dye to hide imperfections in the leather grain. Aniline leather is generally made with full grain leather, meaning that it is durable, but much more soft that the full grain leather. The aniline treatment, however, makes the leather highly prone to fade in direct sunlight. It is also difficult to remove stains from this type of leather. Aniline treated leather must be waxed four times a year to ensure durability.

Colored Leather

• If you're looking for a leather couch that isn't a shade of brown, colored leather is the choice for you. Colored, or pigmented, leather is dyed to hide imperfections in the leather, and often has a shiny finish. Often the leather becomes stain resistant after treatment, making it a durable option for high-use couches. Colored leather couches are the most affordable of the leather types, and often can be found for as little as $600 as of 2011.