Leather: timeless, durable, warm, supple and highly sophisticated. When you’re shopping for furniture, including sectionals, sofas, loveseats and chairs, it’s hard to go wrong with a well-made leather piece. But as with most things, leather comes in a variety of options. Our style experts have made the leather furniture selection process easy by laying out key leather buying terms below, along with the pros and cons of different types of leather, so you can make the best selection for your lifestyle.

Leather Types to Know

There are many considerations in choosing the perfect leather piece for your home. In addition to considering the style and size of your sofa or other furniture, one of the most important considerations is the type of leather. Leather is a natural, durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhides, usually from cattle. The part of the hide used in manufacturing drastically affects the appearance, texture and durability. Read on for information about the different types of leather typically used in furniture manufacturing.

What is top grain leather?

The top cut (epidermis) layer, depending on how it is processed, can become full grain leather or corrected grain leather, which is commonly referred to as top grain.

Full-grain leather sofas, chairs and sectionals have the full, complete grain of the hide intact and will show natural markings. Since the leather has not undergone any sanding, buffing or processes to remove the hide’s visual imperfections, it remains naturally soft and supple. Another pro of full grain leather: it is the most durable and resistant to wear because the outer grain remains intact with all of its natural cross grain fiber strength. However, due to the hide’s porous nature, it is the most susceptible to liquid penetrations. Another thing to note: full grain leather is the most expensive form of leather even though it has been processed the least. However, for many it is an investment well worth it, as full-grain leather can be enjoyed for years to come. It will develop a rich patina over time and will become more beautiful with age.

Top grain leather is similar to full grain leather, but it is sanded, buffed and refinished to remove natural markings and give it a uniform, smooth and soft surface. In the furniture industry today, top grain leather is the most commonly used versus full grain. It offers advantages such as flexibility, durability and lower cost. Both full-grain and top grain leather are built to last, providing years of comfort and style.

What are leather splits?

The bottom cut (dermis) layer is what is left over and is commonly referred to as split leather. Depending on the original hide’s thickness and how thick the top cut is, this layer can in some instances be split again.

Split-grain leather does not have any of the hide’s original grain. Nor does it have the wear and tear strength of full grain and top grain leathers. However, it offers cost advantages and many stylish looks are still available. For instance, split leather that is used in sofas and other furniture can have an artificial top coat applied to seal the surface in order to give an appearance resembling that of top grain leather.

What is aniline dyed leather?

Only the finest hides in the world fall into the category of pure aniline leather; while full aniline leather includes leather where a slight protective finish is applied in the tanning process to give it some extra serviceability.

Aniline plus or semi-aniline leathers are categories of leather that are processed more. Spray pigments of color are applied to the tops of the hides to even out the finish and camouflage naturally occurring imperfections. Many people like aniline plus or semi-aniline leathers due to their durability. These leathers are fade resistant, scratch resistant and easy to clean.

Other Considerations

Be sure the construction of the furniture itself will hold up as well as the leather. You wouldn’t want to invest in a beautiful leather sofa or chair just to have a cheap interior fall apart! Leather furniture is best supported by solid wood construction and high end cushioning (assuming you want some padding). Then find a piece that includes all the bells and whistles you desire. From classic sofas and recliners to those featuring power recline, lumbar support, adjustable foot rests, cup and snack holders, built-in beverage coolers, and even charging ports, there’s a leather piece for everyone. Leather furniture also comes in a wide variety of styles with options to suit everyone’s preferences, including traditional leather furniture that will never go out of style and sleek leather furniture that will look at home in the most contemporary settings.

Leather Care

Once you’ve selected the best leather sofa, modern leather recliner, or another new favorite leather piece of furniture, be sure to know how to care for it to make your leather last. Remember that leather gets better with age so common wear and tear only makes your leather more soft and supple. Generally, leather can be maintained with regular vacuuming or dusting. However, liquid spills should be wiped off to avoid staining. More extensive cleaning should be done at the manufacturer's recommendations to best suit your particular leather’s needs.