Buying guide to leather furniture

Leather is fabulous forever! The look and feel of it simply gets better over the years - so buying a leather suite or single piece could be a great investment as well as a stylish buy. Our guide on choosing the perfect leather furniture will:

• Reveal why this finish is so hot and how to get the best look for your leather suite
• Show you the different types of leather available
• Explain the leather quality classification symbols
• Give you hints and tips on caring for leather furniture

Leather is your dream material for home furnishings. For starters it's versatile, supple and long-lasting. Leather is resistant to cracking and tearing. It keeps its shape over time. Leather breathes in all climates so you'll always sit in comfort. There's no 'stickiness' whatever the season.

You'll find a variety of grades of leather but they all offer you plenty of quality and individual finishes to choose from.

And this plus material is strong as well as stylish. Leather treated for everyday use is resistant to stains, spills and general wear and tear. But it doesn't lose its natural suppleness.

Actually, leather's natural beauty is part of the charm. It isn't 'perfect' like synthetic finishes, but who cares? Every swathe of rich, natural leather adorning your furniture will have its own markings, subtle colour variations. Your leather sofa is uniquely yours...

Need a splash of sophistication and understated luxury? Leather furniture gives any room the premium treatment. And not just sofas. A leather armchair on its own makes a powerful style statement.

Like any true classic, leather works well in a modern or traditional setting. And our up-to-the minute colours and finishes will make your design scheme shine. Whatever your style, whatever your budget.

Traditional style

If you love all things traditional then leather loves you! And if you crave elegance, comfort, real distinction, the solution is simple: go for an Italian-inspired design with deep seats, high backs and square-edged arms. Sturdy solid beech feet complete the look. Keep colours dark, opting for black, burgundy or chocolate brown. And team with gold or brass accessories for a regal feel.

Cool and contemporary

Leather furniture does modern effortlessly. Our leather suites come in a range of contemporary designs - retro-inspired, reclining and corner unit models. Choose those so-now colours: minimalist white, urbane tan, pastel shades. Tapered chrome or pale wood feet give an up-to-the-minute finish.

Here you'll discover the allure of different types of leather we offer with our suites. You'll see full or corrected grain leather on what's called 'wearing' areas of furniture, such as seats. Split leather is used for sides and backs.

But whatever style you choose, leather's all about looking natural, smelling good and being soft to the touch...

Full grain leather

If you love genuine leather, full grain gives you a high-quality supple finish. It's rich with natural markings and grain characteristics. Only the surface (top grain) of the hide is selected, making each piece unique. To protect against wear and tear the leather gets a special coating, making it easy to care for.

Corrected grain leather

Like a flawless finish? Then this is for you. The top grain layer of the leather is partially removed by buffing, taking with it any imperfections. Real skill is needed to ensure consistency and durability but the result is worth the effort. You'll love the glossy appearance, achieved by applying a smooth coating of finish colour. Corrected grain is also less expensive, making it an excellent, great-value choice for families. A protective layer is also applied to make it extremely hard-wearing.

Split leather

This is a lower quality leather, but all the blemishes are removed and you benefit from the protective coating that boosts durability. Split leather is ideal for non-wearing surfaces such as backs and sides of sofas and chairs.

Suede

Always fashionable, suede gives furniture a stunning finish. The brushed texture is more like fabric than leather, offering a velvety, chic feel. Soft it may be, but suede is also durable and easy to care for.

Faux leather

You save money but won't be scrimping on style with faux leather. More affordable than leather, it still offers your home a generous dose of luxury. Who says fashionable can't be economical? Just as soft and durable as the real thing, faux leather keeps its shape well. It needs less maintenance than leather and is water and scratch resistant. It comes in a range of eye-catching colours, but you can get more traditional designs too.

In the UK the Leathermark is a registered trademark that identifies products made of real leather. When you see the Leathermark symbol you can be sure you're getting the real thing. The classification is split into these categories:

Offers great value for money and stylish designs.

Gives excellent quality, comfort and durability in a wide range of styles.

Offers superb quality and comfort with distinctive design features.

Premium range offers distinctive products that combine superior quality with a high level of design and comfort.

Leather is famously easy to look after, but our tips will ensure your furniture looks outstanding for years to come...

• Dust regularly with a soft brush or a clean dry duster and vacuum back panels to remove dust and dirt. Never use wax or silicone polishes on leather furniture. Avoid over-spraying with specialist cleaning polishes.
• Food and drink spillages? Wipe away easily away with just a damp cloth.
• Switch cushions regularly for even wear.
• Every six months, clean using a specialist cleaning kit. Apply a treatment cream to preserve leather quality.
• Protect the finish of your furniture by avoiding aggressive rubbing. Always follow instructions supplied with care products. Always test new cleaning products on a hidden area first.
• Avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight or close to a heat source.