Faux Leather sofa

15 years ago

My dh found a leather sofa that he really wants to buy. Turns out it is really microfiber that has been sprayed with polyester coating to look like leather. My concern is that this will peel off with use. Does anyone have this fabric on your couch and how does it hold up??

Featured Answer

avesmor

15 years ago

I might be a dissenting voice here, but I have microfiber sofas, and leather sofas, and I'd buy the microfiber in a heartbeat whereas I doubt I will ever even consider leather again.

My microfiber is leather-look. I wouldn't call it crap at all. It has worn extremely well so far with heavy, daily use from two adults, a dog, and a toddler - plus guests. I don't know if it's one that has polyester spray on it or not, I never asked how it was made.

My $$$ custom leather, by comparison, is sitting in an unfinished basement. Ends up I was allergic to something in or on the leather, but it takes me a while to react so I had no way of knowing before we ordered it. And it's cold when we first sit in it. I hate that.

Even if I weren't allergic to it, I'd still prefer the microfiber.

Here's a previous thread on it: Microfiber sofas.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

User
15 years ago
It peels! It cracks! It's CRAP!
User
15 years ago
Run away! Real leather improves with age and patina. If budget is an issue for you, and you'd rather not spend 8K for a good quality leather sofa, you can find some incredible bargains on Craigslist if you have a truck to quickly snatch them away from the other bargain hunters. And something with patina blends in better with most people's lifestyles. I even found a Corbusier steel and leather sofa from Knoll the other day for those who like modern rather than traditional. It went FAST!
Related Professionals
Annapolis Interior Designers & Decorators · Zanesville Interior Designers & Decorators · Middletown Interior Designers & Decorators · Gary Interior Designers & Decorators · Leominster Interior Designers & Decorators · Watertown Interior Designers & Decorators · Guymon Interior Designers & Decorators · Westminster Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Grand Island Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Palm Desert Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cowansville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Topeka Furniture & Accessories · Fort Worth Furniture & Accessories · Fort Wayne Furniture & Accessories · Portsmouth Furniture & Accessories
dianalo
15 years ago
We recently bought our sectional with a new fabric that feels like the softest leather. It does not leave butt prints like microfiber and yet it cleans up with a sponge. We had looked at reasonably priced "leathers" only to find out that many were "bonded = fake" or the thinnest easily torn leather imaginable. Look at any stores clearance dept to see the damage that those can take.
Ours is by Palliser and the fabric is their "Phoenix". We got it in Anthracite which is a deep charcoal gray. We love the feel of it and it is very well made. I'd check it out in person if I were you
We ended up buying ours online because the store's markup was over $1,200 more, and that was after the guy gave us his "best price". He also wanted to sell us the same style they had on the floor but neglected to show us the other styles the company offers. The one I found online was a better shape and size for us. The floor sample was a different color than we wanted, so he had to order the set for us anyway. I think he should have shown us all our options. You may also be able to send for a swatch from an online retailer. He did not have our swatch on hand, so we took a chance. I was thrilled that the color was lighter than it could have been....It turned out to be one of the best parts of our reno...
htnspz
15 years ago
Keep looking! There's nothing like the real thing when it comes to clean ability, patina and durability.
chocolatebunny
15 years ago
I agree -- we had a "pleather" couch that we just got rid of a couple of years ago. It's worth it to spend a bit more on the real thing.
dianalo
15 years ago
I wonder if the people telling you to run have recent experience with the new stuff out there...hmm.... I can tell you about my current enjoyment of our sectional. I'd check it out for myself rather than be scared off. Feeling and seeing is believing.
User
15 years ago
I think there is a big difference in the microfiber "suede" type of faux leather and the plasticky harder "car seat" type of leather textured faux stuff. I have had good experience with the former and nothing but bad experience with the latter---except for the MB-tex faux leather in my antique Mercedes. That stuff wears like iron.
User
15 years ago
Interesting comments. I remember a few months ago someone(who is a "regular" on the forums:) posted about a gorgeous set which for some reason stayed in my brain. It was gorgeous (maybe that's why?) and was microfiber that looked like worn leather. It was laramie by broyhill. I am guessing this is the good microfiber looking like leather. As I recall it was quite reasonably priced as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: broyhill laramie