Choosing a good quality armchair is one of the most complicated points in the decoration of a living room. Mainly because its great cost and not smaller size make changing it is not a simple and economically viable company.

That is why it is important to be clear about what we expect from that sofa, what we are going to use it for and what its estimated useful life will be. It is not the same to buy a sofa to spend a year in a student flat to choose the triplet for the house that we just bought newlyweds.

A new armchair reinforces the tone and style of the room, and whether you choose luxurious leather or the comfort of cotton fabric or upholstery, your armchair should last for several years. It is an important acquisition for the home, so you should choose carefully the one that best suits your needs. Because it is both a decorative and a functional element, it is useful to list the qualities you must have.

Therefore, both leather and cloth have their advantages and disadvantages; know them will help you choose the best decision, so the specialists of Brisbane Upholstery will help you through this blog, so you acquire the best chair according to your needs. Keep in mind that here at Brisbane Upholstery we can help you make your furniture look great according to the current trends.

Different types of sofas and armchairs

Both leather and cloth are available in the most decorative styles, but some adapt better than others to a room. The leather is usually found in modern, contemporary or traditional decorations, but it is rare to find it in a Victorian room. Contemporary armchairs can include both leather and fabric in their design. The fabric is better suited to curves and exaggerated circular shapes, while the leather is better suited to the styles of marked edges.

Advantages of leather armchairs

• Leather is hard to break or tear. It is easy to clean, and, if it is cared for according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it should last for several years. It should last at least four times longer than a cloth chair.
• The leather does not fray or tear, and if it is of good quality, it does not corrode with the sun with the rapidity of the fabric, and the softness and patina of the leather increase with time. Cats tend to prefer their scraper post to leather armchairs.
• Leather, or at least synthetic leather, is a renewable source and is considered an ecological alternative to fibre fabrics.
• The biggest advantage of leather sofas is cleaning and maintenance, especially if the leather is good. Normally, simply pass a cloth slightly moistened to remove easily the dust and most of the stains. If we see that one is resistant or that is especially dirty, a wipe with moisturising cream like that used on babies will leave it as good as new, even if it is white. A couple of times a year we can protect the leather with a special cream for that purpose.

Disadvantages of leather armchairs

• Leather is one of the most expensive armchair coverings. Since its advantages are so well known, the demand for leather is high.
• Leather surfaces can be slippery; the cushions are not in place on the chair, and the blankets slide.
• Stains can be very difficult to remove and doing so can damage the leather dye.
• The holes are difficult to fix, since it may be impossible to find a colour that matches.
• The leather reflects the temperature of the room, so it will be warm to the touch in the summer and cold in the winter.

Advantages of fabric armchairs

• Fabric armchairs are usually less expensive than leather armchairs of similar styles.
• The prints, textures and colour combinations are infinite in the case of fabrics.
• Most fabric armchairs can be steam cleaned without damaging the fabric and, if you buy extra fabric with the chair, it is possible to repair or replace their parts.
• The fabric does not stick to the skin and, if it is made of natural fibre, such as linen, it will be cool to the touch during the summer and warm during the winter.

Disadvantages of fabric armchairs

• Most fabric armchairs wear out with prolonged exposure to the sun, either direct or indirect.
• Fabric armchairs can tear or break and the pressure at the seams can cause them to fray.
• The fabric will first mark the wear in the areas of highest friction; for example, in the front of the cushions and arms.
• It is difficult to remove stains in these areas, and repairs can be expensive.
• Even stain-resistant fabrics can be stained, and some upholstery fabrics can be cleaned only with solvent.
• Most upholstery fabrics contain synthetic fibres, which are often products of the oil industry.

Before buying them you should think about the use that will be given to your room, for example if you spend a lot of time with your family every day opt for a piece of furniture whose material is suitable and resistant to stains, especially if you have small children or pets, if you buy furniture that require a lot of care, be sure that in a few months you will have to buy new ones.

Leather is an excellent option because it is soft, easy to clean, and it is not attractive to pets, so it will not be damaged. Microfiber, soft suede and krypton are resistant to spills, odours, bacteria and are easy to clean if your children or pets soiled it.

If you do not spend a lot of time at home, you do not have small children and you are only going to use your room to receive guests, then you can opt for finer furniture, with light colours and a more delicate material like silk.

Remember that regardless of your final choice, here at Brisbane Upholstery we can help you make your furniture look excellent.