Any furniture is a product of its environment. If you keep your furniture in direct UV rays leather or fabric it will eventually fade. There are sunscreen products available for leather furniture. Applied to the furniture where the sun is hitting it directly will protect the leather. Its fast, easy and inexpensive to do. I had a leather sofa that I personally used in my sun room for over 20 years and there is no sign of cracking or fading and I never did any more than dust it and if something spilled I used a mild soap and water. My Daughter is now enjoying it in her home and it still looks great at 25.

As to Judy G mentioned leather can crack. Two things will cause leather to crack either very dry environments and too much oil. Just as we use lotion to keep our skin soft do the same to your leather furniture every year or so. There are products in the market place that are very effective and easy to apply and endorsed by the tanneries. Be sure to never saturate your leather with oils. Once the oil reaches the suede it has nowhere to go but back to the surface and that will cause hairline cracks over the years. Leather is really maintenance free. That’s a huge part of the beauty. Just dust it!

Leather is also a natural product with open pores. These pores allow the hides to constantly take in moisture keeping the leather soft and supple. Just like your leather purse, coat or favorite pair of shoes. Leather will also stay room temperature because of the open pores. If your house it hot or cold so will be your leather furniture. It adapts quickly to your body temperature.

The key to a long-lasting relationship with your leather furniture is to first buy the proper leather for your environment. There are leathers today that will work for any climate, just be sure you ask the right questions.

There is a market for both fabric and leather and we sell both. My expertise is in knowing everything I can about leather because that is the bulk of our business.

I would defiantly consider the Crypton as Judy mentioned. Although my opinion for your life style with the small children and your family and guests eating on your furniture, is still leather because of the ease of cleaning and no odor. There is nothing worse than the smell of spilled milk.

I thought I must add Wellington’s is a Women owned and managed company. Any comments made on behalf of Wellington’s are made by women.

Good luck with your decision!