Although the use of beds began nearly 4,000 years ago, the history of sofas is not very old. According to some, the concept of a soft mattress for sitting and relaxing originated during the Han Dynasty in China. The initial idea was to create something comfortable to sit on while riding on horseback, which sparked the development of sofas. From then until today, the versatility of sofa design and usage has gradually evolved. Nowadays, sofas can be found in almost every household. As the use of sofas has increased, there have been huge changes in their aesthetics. For many, sofas are a means of expressing taste, while for others they symbolize nobility. Due to this varying demand from individual to individual, sofa materials also vary. Although the structural material is wood, sofa seating covers in Bangladesh are mainly leather and fabric – these two types of sofas are available in various designs. However, which one will suit you best depends on your needs. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the perfect sofa – leather or fabric – based on your requirements.
Fabric Sofa Vs Leather Sofa
You may be unsure whether to place a fabric sofa or use a leather sofa in your living room at home or in your office sitting area. Here, we will discuss the pros and cons of both types of sofas to help you make the right decision.
Comfort
After having a long-tiring day, the sofa is often the first place we rest our bodies. For many, sitting on the sofa and sipping morning tea is one of the happiest moments of the day. So you need to pay close attention to how comfortable the sofa you want to buy will be for you. If you want a comfortable sitting space for long hours, a fabric sofa is a better option than a leather one. Leather absorbs more heat than fabric, so the sofa gets hot after sitting for a while. But even if you sit on a fabric sofa for a long time, it does not get as hot as leather. Therefore, a fabric sofa is more suitable for leisurely activities at home like hanging out with family, watching movies or hosting guests. However, if you want a sofa for an office waiting area or reception where people will sit for short periods, a leather sofa is the ideal choice.
Maintenance
If you want to buy a comfortable fabric sofa, you need to choose the material carefully. Cotton, linen, velvet and synthetic fabrics are usually used for sofa upholstery. Sofas made from these materials can be easily cleaned with a vacuum, so they are not too difficult to maintain. Fabric sofa cleaning tools are also readily available, so you won’t have to spend much time looking for them. You can also clean them very cheaply using standard detergents and a sponge if you want. However, if you don’t have time to clean the sofa regularly or want to avoid the hassle of cleaning, you may want to get a leather sofa. To be honest, leather sofas do not require much washing or maintenance – simply wiping with a regular cloth is sufficient. So whether you should choose a leather or fabric sofa depends largely on how much time you want to devote to maintaining this beautiful piece of furniture.
Health Concern
When selecting the material for a valuable furniture piece like a sofa, health considerations are also important. If you or any family members have allergies, leather sofas will be better than fabric ones. Fabric sofas collect dust, allergy-causing particles, and germs which can worsen allergies. On the other hand, if someone in your home is prone to sweating, a fabric sofa may be better. The heat can cause healthy people to sweat more easily when sitting for long periods on a leather sofa. So for those concerned, fabric is a better choice than leather.
Durability
A major drawback of fabric sofas is that they are prone to tearing with heavy use. However, a sofa made of high-quality fabric will surely last many years in your home. Even so, it’s quite difficult to stain such a sofa. As a result, you may be forced to replace the sofa after a few years if you get numerous stains due to carelessness. Leather sofas, on the other hand, are more stain resistant. So it’s much easier to remove stains from a leather sofa than a fabric one. Again, the durability of leather exceeds that of fabric. Therefore, for those who like to use the same furniture for a long time, a leather sofa is the best option. But those who don’t have this preference can opt for fabric sofas.
Design
Undoubtedly, the use of a leather sofa exudes a sense of elegance, even at a minimal level. So, you can consider a leather sofa to create a classy look in your living room. But a major disadvantage of leather is its limited color variation. In terms of color, shape, and aesthetics, you may want to choose a fabric sofa. Such sofas come in different patterns and colors that pair well with various modern interior design styles. Apart from color, you can also select your preferred print type.
Budget
The choice between a leather or fabric sofa depends largely on budget. Comparing fabric and leather, the price of quality fabric is generally lower than that of leather. So you can opt for a fabric sofa as a budget-friendly furniture choice. On the other hand, if budget is not an issue, you may want to consider a leather sofa.
From the above discussion, it appears that fabric sofas are better than leather in most aspects. Apart from the reasons mentioned already, fabric sofas have some additional benefits. One is that the fabric cover can be changed at will, which is not possible with leather sofas. Those of the modern generation who like to experiment with their home’s look make changes to the interior after a few years. In such cases, it’s easy to change the fabric and color of a fabric sofa to match the new decor of the living room.
Type Of Fabric On Sofa
Fabric sofas generally fall into two categories – natural and synthetic. Since the prime condition of buying a sofa is comfort, it depends a lot on the fabric.
Natural Fabric
Natural fabrics are for those who want a slightly more comfortable and soft sofa cover material. The main natural fabric options are:
- Cotton – the most affordable and commonly used natural fiber.
- Silk – A very expensive and elegant fabric. Its cleaning process must be done very carefully, otherwise the fabric may become damaged.
- Wool – A quality, long-lasting material. Even after years of regular use, it will remain intact.
- Linen – The trendy natural fabric of today. It is quite popular among buyers due to its print and texture variations.
Synthetic Fabric
Synthetic fibers are made by processing natural fabrics or chemicals. Furniture made from these fabrics is durable and easy to clean.
Common synthetic fabrics include:
- Polyester – It is made by mixing chemicals with other fabrics, so it is quite durable.
- Nylon – Like polyester, nylon is also made from a mixture of chemicals and other fibers.
- Acrylic – Acrylic fabric is ideal for balcony or rooftop seating arrangements.
- Rayon – Rayon is a wonderful fabric made from a blend of silk, cotton and linen. Rayon is now widely used in modern furniture manufacturing.
Where Can You Get Quality Fabric Sofa
Since fabric sofas are popular everywhere these days, several domestic companies are constantly producing new fabric sofa designs. When buying furniture, it’s best to purchase from a reputable brand, as brands represent trust and confidence. Therefore, it is suggested to buy furniture from any reputed domestic and foreign brand names. Hatil is a famous domestic brand that people trust. Hatil is continuously researching to improve product quality and design.
