Leather Furniture

If you're looking for quality leather furniture but don't want to get skinned, here's how to tell your top grain from your split hide

Are you sitting comfortably? You will be when you get your nice new leather chair. Stretch your budget price to afford one.

Leather furniture usually comes in varying ranges, shapes and sizes. The leather can be simulated, partial or genuine, being durable and easy to maintain if kept in suitable conditions and environment. Leather is made up of two important layers the split-hide and the top grain. The split-hide is the bottom layer placed underneath while the top grain is the upper layer that is exposed. The split (inside) hide has several layers of leather strips. The leather furniture that comes with the top grain (upper) layers are usually considered more genuine, providing better comfort, elegance and sensuality. The top grain is the secret when selecting good quality leather furniture. Top grain usually gives furniture a full and genuine perception and texture.

When split-hides and top grains are interwoven, they make stronger longer-lasting furniture and render a smooth and lithe texture making leather furniture look elegant and stylish. Leather furniture that has top grain usually costs more than furniture made only using split-hide. However, a majority of leather furniture manufacturers interweave the two to come up with tougher leather. One can easily distinguish quality interwoven manufactured leather since it is stiffer and rougher than plain grain leather. Prior to purchasing leather furniture, inquire whether it is made from split-hides, top grains or a combination of both.

Split-hide usually starts wearing out after a period of approximately five years. Top grain furniture doubles that period to ten or more years. Thus, the cumulative cost of top grain leather furniture is less than split-hide leather furniture. Real leather contains tiny spores that allow the furniture to 'breathe'. This means that the leather can easily adapt to body temperature or absorb moisture thus remaining soft and flexible, avoiding cracks. Therefore, while purchasing leather furniture take about 15 seconds to test how fast the leather adapts to your body temperature.

Prior to purchasing leather furniture, take the three-dimensional measurements of the space you want the furniture to occupy. If the furniture is to be custom-tailored, invite the furniture maker or manufacturer if possible to take the measurements. If the furniture is to be bought 'ready-made', give some allowance, like say a sofa length of between 2 and 2½ metres, having in mind what will occupy the extra ½ a metre if a 2 metre sofa is bought.

Moreover, ascertain that the furniture can go through the doors and hallways of the house. Colour and style are also a big deal. Choose furniture that does not seem to be the focal point of the living room. A good way of accomplishing this is purchasing sectional furniture, which easily fits into the desired room. Leather furniture can be acquired in almost every colour.

The normal colours are usually beige, dark brown and black but custom colours are available. Simply carry several coloured leather samples from the manufacturer and see if they match with the intended environment. In addition, choose a design that matches the area. If unable to come up with a suitable conclusion, invite an interior décor expert to do it. When it comes to prestige, pleasure, class, leisure and durability no furniture beats leather furniture.