Leather is known for being soft and has a peculiar smell. But it is susceptible to scratching, cracking, wear, and staining. It’s difficult to maintain, but it’s considered a luxury and costs extra when used in furniture items.
There are numerous alternatives for those who do not want to use pure leather. Let’s take a look at the popular options in depth below to show you which might be best for your furniture needs.
Leather Chair
The appeal of an authentic leather sofa lies in its smooth texture, long lifespan, and, perhaps most importantly, its ability to be easily cleaned. Leather’s classic look will ensure that the furniture remains in style regardless of the ebb and flow of interior design fads. Leather adds character to a piece of furniture and, if cared for properly, can be passed down through the generations.
Pros:
- Those with dust mite or pet dander allergies may find that leather couches are more comfortable than fabric options.
- Leather gives the furniture a timeless appearance that will endure many design cycles.
- It only needs light dusting or rubbing down once or twice a year to look like new.
- Leather, if treated well, can last for decades. When properly cared for, leather actually improves with age.
- The use of leather on the exterior of a seat is often regarded as one of the most stylish possibilities.
Cons:
- Leather office chairs are stylish and appropriate for business settings, but they limit creativity in terms of design.
- Real leather upholstery, while luxurious, does require periodic upkeep. Because leather is made from animal skin, it will eventually dry out and crack if not cared for properly.
- Leather is a bit more difficult to keep clean because it stains easily.
- Leather chairs are more expensive compared to other materials.
Due to the above-mentioned cons, it’s essential to look out for other options too when it comes to leather chairs. Let’s discuss a few of the alternatives in the next section.
Leather-Like Fabric Chairs: Faux Leather Chairs
Similar to genuine leather, synthetic leather is a great leather alternative that comes in a wide variety of styles and textures thanks to the wide range of materials that can be used to create it. To imitate the look of genuine leather without actually using any leather from an animal, manufacturers create faux leather, also known as imitation leather or vegan leather.
Vinyl (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) are the two most common plastics used to make leather, a synthetic leather substitute. The first is achieved by imitating the look of leather with vinyl by coloring and plasticizing the material.
Faux leather made from vinyl is more malleable than leather made from polyurethane. It does not allow air to circulate through the material. Coating natural fabrics like cotton or wool with a polymer-based substance, then treating them to look like real leather, constitutes the production process for polyurethane-based faux leather. This type of synthetic leather is preferred for chair making and other items that come into contact with the skin because it is more breathable than vinyl-based leather.
Pros:
- Compared to genuine leather, faux leather requires almost no upkeep. Water and a mild soap solution will work fine for most synthetic leathers.
- Faux leather is a great alternative to real leather for use in chairs due to its durability and cheaper cost.
- In addition to being perfect for residential use, commercial settings like eating establishments, movie theatres, and hospitals can benefit greatly from its implementation.
- Most synthetic leathers can withstand water.
PU Leather Dining Chairs
Polyurethanes are more malleable and flexible, and may eventually take on the look and feel of leather. However, PU is much more affordable. Because of this, it is a good alternative to leather chairs.
However, even though some of these plastics are recycled, the fact remains that they are all polymers, or plastics, which occur naturally but are inert and not biodegradable.
PVC Leather Dining Chairs
PVC is an extremely useful thermoplastic due to its low weight, high strength, long service life, rigidity, and adaptability. The conventional ‘faux leather’ option is made through chemical changes and the application of plasticizers. A loss of phthalates (plasticizers) over time makes it more likely to crack or flake than genuine leather. These leather-like materials can withstand chemical attacks but don’t allow oxygen in while burning.
Due to the easy availability, and cost-effectiveness, and ability to resist chemical attacks, PVC leather is used in dining chairs.
Other Fabric Chair
Owing to the awareness around sustainability, new materials for chairs are in high demand. So manufacturers are constantly trying to find new places to get them. To better utilize eco-friendly materials, their inclusion is crucial. Fruit skins and other vegetable materials are often used to make faux leather. Many of the materials sold as “vegan leather” (or some variant thereof) are actually derived from petroleum.
So, let’s take a look at the other fabric chair options for various applications.
Suede Chair
The underside of the animal skin is used to create suede, which is a leather-like fabric. This is a type of leather known for its velvety feel, and hence makes a perfect leather alternative for chairs. The suede is thinner and less robust than traditional full-grain leather, giving the chairs an extremely elegant look and feel.
Chairs made of the suede fabric provide various features and benefits. Here are some of the reasons for their popularity in the market:
Pros:
- When compared to other types of cloth, suede has a much longer lifespan and greater resistance to wear and tear. Due to its lightweight construction, the suede has a soft, graceful drape.
- It is a luxurious fabric because of its plush feel and sleek nap.
- Suede is a soft leather that can be easily formed into a variety of different chairs, be it accent chairs, or tub chairs and so on.
The suede chairs made by Keekea are of the highest quality available and are thinner and softer than regular leather. Its output consists of durable items that can be used for decades.
Cotton Chair
Fabrics woven from cotton for chairs can take on a wide variety of looks due to the weaving process. Slipcovers for chairs can be made from anything from a casual canvas weave (duck or sailcloth) to a formal Damask or velvet. One other common material for printed textiles is cotton which is used to manufacture chairs.
Pros:
- It wicks sweat and body heat away from the skin.
- The cotton used on the chair also maintains its shape and is resistant to wear and tear (pilling). Slipcovers made from cotton chair fabrics are a popular choice because they can be easily cleaned.
- It has a gentle feel that makes it a delight for anyone who sits on the chair, no matter how hot or cold the weather is.
- Unlike other materials, cotton can withstand being scratched, mildewed, and eaten by insects. For those with hypersensitive skin, it is the best material for a chair.
If looking for natural material for the furniture’s upholstery, cotton is a great choice. It can be used in almost any decor and is comfortable and cool to sit on. Washable slipcovers and upholstered furniture can both benefit from using cotton. The cotton chair that Keekea manufactures is among the best in the world.
Velvet Chair
A home outfitted with velvet couches and armchairs exudes an air of refined extravagance. When cared for properly, velvet furniture can also last for years. It comes in two main varieties, the traditional and the synthetic, and has a dense tufted pile.
Synthetic velvet is made primarily from synthetic fibers like viscose, polyester, and rayon, while traditional velvet is made from silk and is, therefore, more expensive. When compared to its natural or vintage counterpart, synthetic velvet is both more affordable and longer-lasting.
Pros:
- Velvet may look delicate and expensive, but it can withstand a lot.
- One of the primary reasons people choose velvet for upholstery is because of its plush, inviting texture. It’s smooth to the touch and easy to match with various design schemes.
- Velvet can be used for a number of different purposes because it is such a flexible fabric. It’s useful for upholstery projects big and small, from accent chairs and footstools to sofas and headboards.
There is a wide variety of upholstery materials suitable for use on indoor furniture. Whichever is chosen, it will reap the benefits. Velvet is frequently used for indoor furniture. As a result of these and other advantages, velvet upholstery is highly recommended. As an upholstered chair manufacturer, Keekea offers some of the most comfortable and long-lasting velvet chairs available.
Conclusion
While leather furniture has a timeless and classic look, there has been a shift in demand for more nature-friendly and sustainable material sourcing. As a result, high-quality alternatives to leather materials emerged. These leather substitutes are used to make high-end furniture such as couches and zero gravity recliners, as well as office and commercial furniture.
It’s possible that the variety of leather options and leather alternatives available could leave behind a bewildered feeling when in the market for a new piece of furniture right now.
Those who are interested in leather coverings will be surprised to learn how many different kinds there are to choose from Keekea. They have been in the business of selling upholstered furniture for more than half a century, and the inventory includes dozens of products that are available in natural and faux leather. Contact Keekea now.
