How to Choose Leather Furniture - Bari Leather Furniture

If you're asking yourself how to choose leather furniture your first step is actually to ask yourself how much you're willing to spend, what styles you prefer and what type of leather appeals to you the most. Knowing these things about your leather furniture purchase will help you narrow the field and automatically eliminate several pieces, making the decision less overwhelming.

Price may be the major determining factor for you when buying a piece of leather furniture, but going cheap doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get an inferior product just as going for the priciest thing doesn't mean you're getting top quality. Learning a bit about what makes a quality piece of leather will help you make a good decision.

First of all, leather upholstery comes in one of two categories, aniline and semi-aniline. Aniline hides are the finest quality available and they are dyed only once with little or no buffing to the surface to remove imperfections. Aniline fabric has a real natural patina and after time they will wear and unique shading patterns will develop, this is a good thing. Aniline leather looks incredible as it ages as long as it's cared for during its lifetime because there is no protection from fading and stains.

Semi-aniline leather offers more protection from fading and stains because the hide goes through a combination of methods for dying and surface treating. This is a better leather choice for families with children or pets who may cause more wear and staining.

Another thing to check if you're looking for a top quality piece of leather furniture that will last for ages is whether its top grain or split hides. Top grain is the best quality outer layer of leather and is more durable and attractive. Split hides are multiple layers of hides pressed together, making them more susceptible to cracking and they wear more quickly. But split hides are dramatically cheaper than top grain leather furniture.

When checking out the frame of leather furniture don't buy into solid wood hype as this usually means the piece of furniture is more expensive but not necessarily sturdier. Many pieces are currently made of a combination of solid wood and plywood. Plywood is structurally stronger and does not warp over time. Look at the plywood construction and see if the corners are joined in a mortise and tenon style and if they're then reinforced with metal fasteners. This way you'll get a more durable frame that is less expensive.

While you're "under the hood" make sure you find out what the cushions are made of and what type of coil construction is in the piece. Tied coils are stronger and tend to be more comfortable over the long haul than wire springs. Springs determine the durability more than the comfort, while the cushions are a huge determinant in your comfort level. Foam cushions are fairly comfortable and hold their shape excellently, while down cushions are amazingly comfortable but don't hold their shape too well. A combination of both foam and down may be the best choice.

When shopping for leather furniture, as all furniture, it's important to try out the piece to see how comfortable it is. And don't just sit on it, get into your favorite position and see if you think it will support you and be comfortable at the same time. It's hard to tell by just trying it out for a few minutes but sometimes you're instantly aware that a particular piece just won't work.