Types of Leather Couches

Full Grain

The highest-quality leather sofas are covered with what is known as full-grain leather. This means the leather still has its natural markings and grains intact. It has not been processed or sanded in any way. Full-grain leather is made from the outer-most layer of the hide and is the strongest and most durable leather available. Because of the lack of processing, full-grain leather has a patterned appearance that may not appeal to consumers wanting a more uniform look for their sofa. Cost is also something to consider, since consumers will pay substantially more for their new sofa if it is covered in full-grain leather. Prices range from around $2,500 to $3,000.

Split-grain leather is made from the inner layer of the hide. It has many of the characteristics of full-grain leather. It has a patterned look with lines and color discrepancies, but it is more prone to tearing than full grain. If your sofa is going to see a lot of traffic from dogs or children, then perhaps this is not
the type of leather for you. Sofas upholstered in split-grain leather often bear the tag "genuine leather."

Aniline leather is a type of high-quality leather, almost always full grain, that has been treated with a dye. This is done to hide imperfections; however, aniline leather is not colored and is often referred to as "naked leather." The aniline treatment makes the leather much more soft and supple. Downsides to buying sofas with aniline leather are that they are likely to fade in the sunlight, and discolorations are frequent. Spills are also much more difficult to remove on these types of sofas.

Semi-aniline is a happy medium for those buyers who want a soft leather sofa but still want good durability. This leather is much the same as aniline, but it has a small amount of pigment or clear finish mixed in. Small changes like this allow the natural feel of the leather to come through but also give added stain resistance and longevity. Semi-aniline sofas are found at many retail stores and are a good match for those wanting a good-quality leather sofa at a good price.

Pigmented leather sofas have been dyed to hide color imperfections and have a clear shiny outer coat. The leather can be stiff or hard-feeling at first but will soften considerably with use. It is by far the most stain resistant of all leather sofas. Pigmented leather does not soak up or absorb liquid. It is also the lowest-priced option and can be a good pick for those households with lots of children and pets. Pigmented leather sofas can be found at many discount furniture stores and range in price from $600 to $800.