Leather sofa – Description and uses

Leather sofas – History and significance

History

Thesofawas invented during the reign of Louis XIV. The craft of sofa-making by cabinetmakers reached its peak under Louis XV. At that time, the sofa was a kind of long seat with a backrest, on which several people could sit together. It was not until much later that the leather sofa made its appearance. From then on, sofas came in a variety of styles. Initially, they wereupholstered in fabric, but other materials such as leather, microfibre and faux leather soon followed. They also took on various forms, such as the sofa, the chaise longue, the corner sofa, sofa beds and recliners… Over time, the leather sofa became an essential feature of the living room.

Importance

A leather sofa must combine comfort and cosiness whilst defining the style of your interior. Buying a leather sofa is a significant decision as you will keep it for many years. It is the centrepiece of the living room and you will appreciate its decorative appeal. Your choice will depend on your personal taste – whether you prefer understated, minimalist lines or ultra-trendy, designer-style pieces. A leather sofa creates a warm atmosphere in the living room whilst meeting everyone’s practical needs. The range on offer is extensive, whether in terms of colours, materials, textures, accessories or style… A leather sofa must blend seamlessly into your home, whether your décor is contemporary, rustic, modern or romantic. Ultimately, aesthetics are paramount.

Leather sofas – Models and upholstery

Styles

The corner leather sofa

The advantage of the corner leather sofa is that it saves space and offers comfort. You can easily stretch your legs out on the chaise longue whilst someone else sits comfortably on the seats. Thanks to its L-shape, the corner leather sofa allows you to seat more guests whilst maintaining eye contact with them. You can seat up to 8 people on your corner sofa. What’s more, this type of sofa is delivered in several parcels, making it easier when moving in or out. The corner leather sofa helps you make the most of your space. It can divide a large room into two areas, offering you a range of options for arranging your living room. The leather corner sofa is available in fixed or modular designs, depending on your needs. There are also accessories such as pouffes or armchairs that help create a more welcoming atmosphere in the sitting area. Some leather corner sofas are convertible.

Convertible sofas

There are four types of convertible leather sofas:

• - the sofa bed is the go-to choice amongst convertible sofas. It serves both as a proper bed with a bed base and a comfortable mattress, and as a proper sofa with armrests. However, unfolding the leather sofa can be a bit of a faff for everyday use as a bed due to the fiddly mechanism.
• Thefold-out sofais the easiest mechanism to use. It folds out to create a double bed. The fold-out sofa is a favourite amongst students. There is a wide range of fold-out sofas available, including specialised models such as corner sofas with storage compartments andleather sofaswith high-endbedding.
• The BZ is the most compact of the convertible sofas. It unfolds like an accordion, without having to move the sofa. It comes in various sizes, making it ideal for small spaces. 
• The futon combines a minimalist design with the Japanese philosophy of the art of living. The futon sofa system consists of a mattress placed on a foldable frame with wooden slats.

Whichever leather sofabedyou choose, the bedding should be suited to how often the sofa is used for sleeping.

The leather recliner sofa

The leather recliner sofa will ensure you enjoy moments of relaxation and help you unwind after a stressful day. It allows you to lie back comfortably without taking up all the seats on the sofa. The leather recliner features a reclining backrest and footrest, offering you all the benefits of relaxation. Some leather sofas have a massage function, which will help you relax your muscles and lower back. There are two mechanisms for reclining the leather relaxation sofa: manually or electrically using a remote control. When buying your leather sofa, you must take into account the space required to recline the backrest. You must also ensure there is access to a power socket.

The upholstery

When buying your leather sofa, you should pay close attention to the upholstery. There are several techniques that are key to comfort. Cold-moulding the foam onto the frame is currently the method of choice. Polyurethane foam is the most commonly used type. Its density should be 30 or 35 kg. Its reliability has been proven across all ranges of leather sofas. Its comfort is standard but well-regarded. Some models will feature a dual-density seat. The seat will be quite soft. Then there are other high-end, high-resilience foams. These may be referred to as high-density memory foam. With this technology, when you sit on your leather sofas, the foam moulds to the shape of your body. The seat will be quite firm. There is also foam with micro-air cells incorporated into it. This method is widely used in the bedding industry. The seat support is excellent and its durability is unquestionable. There is a solution to extend the life of the sofas and armchairs you cherish even further. Reupholstering your leather sofas is a traditional, eco-friendly solution that breathes new life into them. Reupholstering allows you to change the look of your living room and harmonise the colours of your interior. The upholsterer takes care of everything and carries out any alterations and decorative touches you require.

Leather sofas – Types of leather

Full-grain leather and corrected-grain leather

Full-grain leather is a natural leather that has retained its original grain: the ‘flower’. It has not undergone any treatment, so it is a leather of excellent quality – very durable, supple and pleasing to the touch and the eye. The leather has retained all its natural elegance and reveals the characteristics of the hide. Full-grain leather sofas do, however, require daily care using a chamois leather cloth. They are sensitive to light, friction and sweat, not to mention any potential stains. Corrected-grain leather, on the other hand, has been sanded and treated to make it supple and resistant to light and friction. A corrected-grain leather sofa is low-maintenance and suitable for families with children and pets. Corrected-grain leather will not look or feel the same as full-grain leather. It requires nothing more than the occasional dusting.

Cowhide and buffalo leather

Cowhide, calfskin and buffalo leather are all essentially identical types of bovine leather. However, after tanning, the appearance of the grain varies, ranging from a rugged look to a smooth and supple finish. A buffalo leather sofa has a very pronounced grain, whilst cowhide has a medium grain, and calfskin has a barely noticeable grain. Whichever leather sofa you choose, it will be hard-wearing and exceptionally durable. The thicker the leather, the better the quality. You should choose leather with a thickness of at least 1.1 mm.

Other types of leather

There are other types of leather, such as nubuck, which has a velvety appearance. Its velvety feel is achieved using top-quality hides. This leather has an unrivalled softness and is very comfortable. However, a nubuck leather sofa is quite difficult to maintain. It is best to waterproof it from day one using a special spray, which will subsequently allow you to remove stains simply by brushing. Pigmented leather is full-grain or corrected-grain leather that has been treated to provide long-lasting protection against the elements. Thanks to this treatment, pigmented leather sofas will be protected from dirt. They should be cleaned using a damp cloth and, from time to time, a special leather conditioner. Aniline leather is full-grain leather that has been finished with a colourless, oily liquid, which gives the hide suppleness and softness. This process does not alter the quality of the leather in any way. It is the most beautiful type of leather. Using this tanning process, it is possible to achieve unique finishes for leather sofas, such as aged leather or metallic-finish leather. This leather is delicate; should a stain occur, it must be wiped off immediately with a soft cloth. A leather conditioner should be applied regularly. There is a technique that produces a finish similar to full-grain leather: split leather. This process involves splitting a thick piece of leather into two layers; the top layer, which contains the grain, is called leather, whilst the bottom layer, which contains the flesh of the leather, is known as split leather. Split-leather sofas are less durable than those made from traditional leather but are more affordable. Finally, it is worth noting that leather is a hypoallergenic material and is resistant to dust mites. Furthermore, a leather sofa does not allow dust, pet hair, kitchen odours or cigarette smoke to penetrate it. Leather is a living material; it breathes and adapts to the ambient temperature and the human body’s temperature, which gives it great suppleness and durability.