How to Select a Leather Sofa

Choosing a quality leather sofa is tricky, because quality level is not always apparent. Most upholstery hides come from cow or steer hides. Some leather sofas are made from split grain, which is when the grain is reduced to a thinner, less durable hide. The four basic types of leather are natural, nubuck, protected and waxed. Natural leather uses superior hides, which is reflected in its price and quality. Nubuck, although soft and durable like natural leather, cannot handle spills and stains as well. Protected and waxed leathers have finishes to protect them, but they lack the all-natural appearance.

Instructions

- 1
  Determine your budget. High-quality leather sofas, such as natural or nubuck, will cost more, but may be more what you're looking for.
- 2
  Check the seams. Quality leather that contains no additives will have no more than 2- to 3-foot strips between seams. Often, budget-priced leather sofas are merged with synthetic material such as durahide. Other sofas will have a full front, arm and cushion covering, but the backside will be durahide. These differences all affect pricing.
- 3
  Find your comfort level. Comfort level in a sofa is not only affected by the treatment of the leather that covers it, but also by the material it covers. Sofas are filled with anything from cotton to goose down. Sit or lie on what could be a large investment for you.

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