When the time comes to redesign your family room, a new sofa will likely be at the top of your shopping list. After all, a sofa isn’t just the focal point of most living rooms, it’s also the place where loved ones hang out, relax, and entertain guests. Whether you’re aiming to create a room that is rustic and cozy or modern and chic, leather furniture can’t be beat for its beauty and functionality. But how practical is it for busy households with young children or pets? The helpful design team at your local Tampa furniture store can help you determine if leather furniture is a good choice for your home. You may be surprised by how family-friendly leather furniture can be.

Easy to Clean

For rooms that will be used by children and pets on a regular basis, you can expect messes and spills to occur. With this in mind, it’s wise to choose furnishings that are as practical as they are attractive. Unlike their fabric counterparts, leather furniture is impressively stain-resistant and easy to clean. Keeping your leather sofas looking like new is usually as simple as:

• Vacuuming crumbs, dog hair, and other debris away
• Cleaning minor spots and spills with a damp microfiber cloth (water or vinegar and water solution)
• Drying with a cotton or microfiber cloth

Durable

Along with being easy to clean, it’s important that the furniture you choose for your high-traffic family rooms is able to stand up to the wear and tear of everyday life. Leather furniture, in particular, is known for its durability. Not only is leather strong enough to withstand jumping children and climbing pets for years on end, but it tends to age well. This means that as good as it looks when you bring it home from the furniture store, it will look even more handsome after a few years of “breaking it in.”

Odor Resistant

Just because you let your furry friends lay on your furniture doesn’t mean that you want your home to smell like it. While many upholsteries would absorb the unpleasant smells that come from animals and children alike, leather is not one of them. Keeping your furniture clean and dry is enough to guarantee your leather sectional, and home, smell fresh day in and out.

Low Maintenance

While there’s no need to remove slipcovers or bring in a steam cleaner to ensure your leather furnishings last for an extended period of time, a few simple steps can help you get the most out of them.

• Keep away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, to prevent cracking.
• Never use household cleaners or soak stains in water.
• Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• To prevent scratches from pets and sharp objects, choose a protected leather material.

Comfortable

What good is a sofa or sectional if you don’t want to sit on it?  Unlike fabric upholstery, leather breathes. This means that your family will be as comfortable relaxing on your leather sofa on humid summer afternoons as they are on chilly autumn nights. Likewise, it pulls moisture away from your body, which unlike imitation leather, will keep you cool on hot days. Better still, leather gets softer with time. If you think it feels great when you purchase it, just wait until you feel like five years from now. Like a fine wine, leather continues to get better with time.

Variety of Styles

Even if durability and practicality are at the top of your family-friendly furniture requirements, that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on beauty and style. Perhaps the best part of investing in leather home decor is that it’s as equally gorgeous as it is functional. From spacious sectionals to petite love seats, leather furniture comes in an array of styles, sizes, and price points, making it a viable option for any family, regardless of their unique needs or taste.

Tips for Buying Family-friendly Leather

As fabulous as leather furniture is, not all leather is created equal. To get the most out of your furniture and invest in pieces that will stand up well to active children and pets for years to come, be sure to choose the right leather for your family’s needs. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

• Avoid aniline leather that is prone to scuffing since it hasn’t been treated with dyes. Instead, look for a pigmented or semi-aniline leather that will be more durable and affordable.
• Opt for top-grain over split-grain whenever possible. While top-grain may be more pricey, it will save you money in the long run as split-grain tends to wear out much quicker.
• Suede leather is beautiful and soft, but it’s difficult to keep clean in high-traffic areas. On the other hand, bi-cast and bonded leather are easy to clean but aren’t very durable.
• Don’t forget about the frame and mechanics of your leather furniture! Be sure to consider factors, such as:
  • The quality of the wood used to build the furniture’s frame
  • How the joints have been adhered
  • The material used in the legs, arms, and back of the piece
  • The durability of the mechanics if you choose a piece that reclines
• Look for furniture that is made with a high-quality hardwood or plywood for maximum durability. Avoid softwoods, particle boards, and composite boards; they break easily and won’t last long.
• For joints that will last, opt for ones that are glued-and-screwed double dowel joints. If they are reinforced, even better.
• Legs, arms, backs, and mechanics should be used from the same material as the frame when possible. The same goes for the mechanics’ joints.

After doing your research and shopping around for leather furnishings that will best suit your family’s lifestyle, remember that leather furniture is an investment. It may be tempting to choose a traditional fabric sofa to save a few dollars, but it will likely cost you in the long run. For style, comfort, and ease, leather is the way to go, especially with children and pets present.

For a large selection of beautiful leather pieces in all the latest styles and trends, call or stop by one of Florida Leather Gallery’s five convenient locations. Our knowledgeable interior design team can’t wait to help you find the perfect leather home decor for your family in the Tampa area and beyond.