Buying Leather Sofas: 
 Everything You Need to Consider

Full-grain leather is the highest quality leather because it's less processed and retains the entire grain of the hide including natural markings and texture. Also, full-grain leather absorbs moisture and oil and, over time, develops a patina that actually increases its appeal and aesthetic as it ages. One issue with this type of leather is that it can be very expensive compared to the benefits. We recommend going with a top-grain leather sofa.

Top-grain leather is another high-quality option. As the animal hide goes through the splitting process, the top-grain is separated from the bottom portion and is then buffed, sanded, and tanned to give it an even look. Unlike full-grain leather which isn't processed, top-grain leather does not absorb oils and water because the pores are closed during the tanning process. All Allform leather sofas are made with top-grain leather, for example. This allowed us to create high-quality furniture at a price point consumers could get behind.

Split-grain leather is the bottom portion of the hide that is separated during the splitting process. Split leather doesn't contain any of the hide’s natural markings or original grain. One of the most popular split-grain leathers is suede, which is appealing to those who prefer a softer, more pliant material.

Bonded leather is an alternative option for budget-conscious shoppers. It actually isn’t technically leather, but rather a hybrid of leather dust, pieces, vinyl, plastic, glue, and a protective coating that have been bonded together. Unlike top-grain leather, however, it doesn't hold up as well over time.

Aniline leather and semi-aniline leather are those dyed exclusively with soluble dyes. While the dye changes the color of the leather, it does not produce the uniform surface you might expect from a topcoat paint or pigmented sealant. The resulting piece of leather retains its natural texture, pores, and natural marks.

Faux leather, otherwise known as artificial leather or synthetic leather, are like-leather substitutes. Faux leather is typically made of a polyurethane and/or vinyl blend. While faux leather has a similar look and feel to leather, it is not true leather and as such doesn't have the same stain-resistance and longevity of leather.

Suede is a type of real leather with a napped finish, typically created during the splitting of the top and bottom grains of animal hide. Suede is made from the underside or bottom of the animal skin. It is a softer, more pliable grain than top-grain, however it is not as durable or stain-resistant as top-grain due to its looser fiber structure.