Leather Types: Choosing the Best for Your Furniture
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
For quick answers：
| Leather Type | Cost-Effectiveness | Beauty | Convenience of Maintenance | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Grain Leather | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ | Those seeking luxury, durability, and love the process of leather ages naturally over time with colour changes. |
| Split Leather | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Budget buyers who want genuine leather, or those who want the texture of suede. |
| PU Leather | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Those needing affordable, vegan leather for short-term use or modern designs. |
| Microfiber Leather | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Eco-conscious, vegan buyers who value durability, easy maintenance, and a leather-like look. |
| Bonded Leather | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Not Recommended, better alternatives exist among the other leather types. |
*Note that each type of leather has different quality levels. This table represents only an average state for general reference.
Manufacturers can turn many animal skins into leather, such as pigskin, goatskin, and sheepskin. However, they most commonly use cowhide for furniture because of its surface area, durability, and aesthetics. In this article, “leather” refers to cowhide leather. I will introduce five common leather types, and other leathers are usually variations or combinations of these types.
Genuine Leather
Typically includes top grain and split leather, which correspond to the epidermis and dermis layers of cowhide. Because it is real skin, it has pores, absorbs oils and moisture, and changes colour over time, which allows it to age beautifully.
Top Grain Leather
The Highest Quality
Top Grain Leather is the highest quality leather, and all other types strive to imitate its look and feel. As real skin, it has a great tactile feel. However, not all top grain leather is equal; the determining factor is the number of imperfections like insect bites, scars, or scratches. The fewer the flaws, the higher the quality and rarity—and thus, the higher the price. Typically, desexed steers produce the best raw leather due to their large size and calm temperament, resulting in fewer scars. Based on flaws, top grain leather is classified as:
- Full-Grain Leather (Aniline, Semi-aniline treatment)
- Semi-buffed (Semi-aniline, Pigmented treatment)
- Corrected-Grain (Pigmented treatment)
The higher the leather quality, the lighter the processing required, such as aniline leather, which showcases the natural beauty of the hide. Manufacturers often buff or treat less optimal hides to create semi-aniline or pigmented leather. Think of it like salmon: the freshest is used for sashimi, the next best for grilling, lesser quality for smoking, and the lowest for canning. Just as fresh salmon requires careful storage, high-quality leather should be conditioned every 6-12 months to preserve its natural oils and protected from direct sunlight or heat.
Split Leather
Cost-Effective Genuine Leather
If a product is marketed as “genuine leather,” it’s most likely split leather rather than top-grain leather. It’s lacks the grain’s strength and texture, making it less durable and distinct in appearance compared to top grain. Often used for suede, when processed correctly, it can be quite attractive. It’s also used to make Bicast Leather (with a PU or vinyl coating to mimic top grain leather) and Patent Leather (coated for a high-gloss finish). Since PU coatings can crack or flake and patent leather lacks breathability, we believe suede is the best choice for split leather chairs—especially leather recliners. Split Leather requires moderate maintenance.
Synthetic/Artificial Leather
With stable colours, it’s a great choice if you’re looking to match a specific shade with your furniture. However, compared to genuine leather, it’s more prone to creases and wrinkles that don’t recover well when folded or rubbed.
PU/Polyurethane Leather
Affordable Choice
This is the stereotypical “fake leather.” If a leather item has a plastic-like feel, it’s likely PU leather or another type with a PU coating (like bonded or bicast leather). It’s an affordable option but tends to peel over time due to its synthetic polyurethane coating, which can crack or flake with regular use, heat, moisture, and sunlight exposure. Other leathers with PU coatings also face similar cracking and flaking issues. While it’s easy to clean, the lack of breathability can trap heat and moisture, making it less comfortable for extended use, especially in summer. It has a short lifespan and doesn’t benefit much from maintenance.
Microfiber Leather
Durable and Realistic Alternative
Microfiber leather is designed to mimic how real leather forms, using tightly woven microfiber, typically a blend of polyester and polyurethane. It uses ultra-fine fibers woven densely together and layered to create a texture and grain similar to genuine leather. This design matches its durability and breathability to some extent. Although microfiber leather is softer than genuine leather, which makes it less ideal for clothing, it resists creases and wrinkles in furniture coverings since they aren’t typically folded or rubbed. It’s also more resistant to peeling and cracking than PU leather and offers greater durability, requiring only minimal care.
Bonded Leather
Contains Real Leather Fibres, But Poorly Constructed
Manufacturers create bonded leather by shredding leftover scraps of top and split leather, gluing them together, and embossing the surface to imitate top grain patterns. The surface, made from polyurethane (PU) or latex, tends to peel and crack over time. Generally, it has the lowest performance in durability, flexibility, and longevity among leather products. Short lifespan; not much benefit to maintenance. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has prohibited labelling bonded leather as “leather,” in line with clear and truthful labelling under Australian Consumer Law (ACL)1. However, before these regulations took effect, companies often marketed bonded leather as “genuine leather” simply because it contains leather fibers—arguably its only merit.
Environmental & Ethical
Genuine leather is somewhat biodegradable, especially vegetable-tanned leather. However, chrome-tanned leather is more common and less eco-friendly due to its chemicals.
Synthetic materials like microfiber leather, made from petroleum-based products, raise environmental concerns like carbon emissions and non-biodegradability. However, its longer lifespan makes it more eco-friendly than PU leather, and since it doesn’t require intensive tanning, it reduces chemical pollution while being a vegan-friendly option for those concerned about animal welfare.
benssur’s Opinion
If you’re willing to invest heavily in furniture, care about a luxurious touch, are ready to spend time on upkeep, and appreciate the natural ageing of colours, then genuine leather is truly irreplaceable. Choosing between top-grain leather (full-grain is recommended, as corrected-grain might not be a good deal) or split leather as suede is entirely a matter of personal preference.
If you’re after consistent color, eco-friendliness, animal welfare, and low maintenance, synthetic leather is a great choice. PU leather is budget-friendly, but its durability isn’t quite up to par for furniture. IIf you’re willing to invest a bit more, microfiber leather closely mimics genuine leather. It’s a worthwhile upgrade, minus the peeling and cracking! As for bonded leather, well… let’s just say we don’t recommend it in any situation.
If you’re on a budget but really want genuine leather furniture, we suggest balancing it by opting for a top-grain leather arm chair or recliner, while choosing microfiber leather for dining chairs. Dining chairs are more likely to get messy, and microfiber is easier to clean.
In conclusion, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer; each type of leather has its own pros and cons. The key is to choose what best matches your needs and values—whether it’s sustainability, durability, or animal welfare. Making an informed choice ensures you pick the right leather for you.