Everybody needs a little leather in their life. Especially when it comes to your décor. Leather furnishings are almost magical because they look good in every style home. You’ll find breathtaking pieces that are timelessly classic and those that are edgy and modern. Leather wears like iron and will look as wonderful decades later as it did the day you bought it. To get the full knock-your-socks-off decorating effect of a lovely piece of leather furniture, here are three how-to’s I pass on to my customers.
1. How to Use Leather Furnishings in Your Decor
Where should you use leather furniture in your home? Where not! Leather is a great neutral that is full of lots of rich, yummy texture and, depending upon how daring you are, a splash of vibrant color.
My favorite way to decorate with leather furniture is to use it sparingly, mixing one or two pieces into groupings that mainly consist of upholstered furniture. Since I’m not a fan of a matchy-matchy look, I am not partial to the leather sofa, love seat, side chair combo sets out there. A sea of leather can feel cold, and the similar style and shape repeated over and again doesn’t lend itself to the visually intriguing look I love in a home.
When I design rooms for friends and customers, I often include just one leather side chair or sofa in a grouping of upholstered pieces. Sometimes I place a pair of matching leather club chairs on either side of a fireplace or across from the sofa. Another look I like is a leather coffee table ottoman that acts as the hub of a room of upholstered pieces. I always finish off leather furniture with an accent pillow or two, picking patterns that play up the natural richness of the leather while also bringing in color and pattern.
I also like to use leather as welting on sofas, chairs and pillows. It finishes off furniture with a nice edge. Plus, since it’s durable, it’s a great material to use in high traffic spots like the edge of a seat cushion.
2. How to Pick the Leather Furniture that’s Right for You
Insist on Quality. All leather furniture is not created equal. Some grades are higher quality than others. You can often tell by the look and feel of the leather. And even if the difference isn’t immediately apparent on the showroom floor, you’ll be able to tell the difference soon enough. The quality piece will still look amazing in 20 years and the inferior grade will look bad after just a few.
Select a Finish that Fits Your Lifestyle and Tastes. When it comes to picking the finish for the leather pieces we sell at Nell Hill’s, we prefer three different styles: aniline, wax pull ups and aniline plus. Each finish has its own look and advantages, so it’s key that you understand each so you can select the finish that best suits your tastes and lifestyle.
- Aniline hides offer the most natural looking finish because they preserve the patterns and tones of the leather instead of covering them up. In this process, the full-grained hides are stained with translucent dyes, a process that gives expression to the hide’s fine textural variations and nuances of tone. Each hide looks unique, with its own character and imperfections. This is my very favorite finish because I think the blemishes make the furniture more interesting.
- Wax pull-up hides are treated with a combination of wax and oil, which completely permeates the hide and does a great job of resisting moisture. They are a great pick for people who want a more perfect looking leather piece that is characterized by a consistent color tone and minimal variation in pattern. It’s more scratch resistant, so is a good choice if you want furniture that will give you a consistent look through the years.
- Aniline plus hides are full grain, aniline dyed leathers that have a thin layer of matching pigment applied to the surface of the hide to minimize the naturally occurring variations in shade. This finish is more sun resistant and does well under a lot of wear and tear.
Select a Style You Love. Since leather lasts for decades, I recommend picking a style you will still love 20 years from now. Here are four possible approaches:
- A classic frame covered in a classic color. Since I’m a traditional girl at heart, I’ve tended to pick classic pieces of leather furniture for my own home. You’ll find a chocolate brown chesterfield sofa in my den and a leather chair upstairs in Dan’s office.
- A classic frame covered in contemporary colors. Furniture makers these days are doing phenomenal things with color when it comes to leather furniture. These wonderful pieces rejuvenate classic silhouettes with hip colors like turquoise, buttery yellow and green. A fun marriage of classic and contemporary, these brilliant pieces make a great addition to a traditional room you want to be more fun and exciting.
- A contemporary frame covered in a contemporary color. The color wheel is spinning round and round when it comes to leather right now, and the frames are getting more and more fun. I’m crazy about the boxy red club chair covered in red leather that’s pictured above at Nell Hill’s Briarcliff. Put this baby against a navy blue wall and it’s perfection!
- A contemporary frame covered in a classic color. Leather is a super sexy material, and when you place a classic color like tan or brown on a contemporary frame that pushes the boundaries just a bit, you get one provocative piece of furniture.
3. How to Care for Your Leather Furnishings
Of all the upholstered furniture you own, your leather pieces will be the easiest to care for. How you protect it and clean it depends upon how your furniture is finished. My recommendation is that you always defer to the manufacturer’s recommendations before doing anything to your leather.
Most leathers are protected by a clear top coat that seals the surface from moisture. Or, you can apply a product yourself that penetrates the hide and gives it a protective barrier.
When your leather piece needs to be cleaned, manufacturers usually recommend using clean, distilled water and a natural sponge or cotton cloth to lightly dab the affected area. Be careful not to soak the leather or you might create another, larger stain. And, whatever you do, don’t rub the area – you will spread the stain and push it farther into the material. When you dab, you’re trying to transfer the stain from the furniture to the cloth.
If your leather is stained by something oily, it can usually be removed if you act quickly. Apply a small amount of cornstarch or talcum powder to the area and let it sit. Then, wipe it away with a dry cloth. You may need to repeat the process a few times until all the oil has been fully absorbed by the powder.
If your leather furniture is made from wax pull-up hides, you can try this cool trick to remove scratches: Hold a hair dryer a few inches from the scratch, heating the area around it to bring the wax – and color — back to the surface.
Next Week … Do you have any collections? I’ll share some tips on how to showcase these treasures in your interior decorating.
Fall Shop Tour
Pretty and Painted: A New Way to Look at Wood Furniture
Finding the Perfect Upholstered Piece
From the Archives: 3 Steps to a Beautiful Bedroom
Lisa Fernandez says
May 6, 2013 at 8:00 amWow the cornstarch and hair dryer tips are priceless. I’m going to try them today. I have 3 leather pieces in my home. A wing chair, a chair and ottoman and another puffy chair. The puffy chair I resent buying but it serves a purpose I guess. The wing chair is a few years old and my favorite is the side chair with ottoman. It has aged so lovely. I like the creases in leather it gives it character. Not on all types of leather though.
I have admired that chesterfield sofa in your study the few times I’ve visited your home. I love how you have accented it with the pillows. Your den is lovely and comforting with it’s warm browns and plaids. So lovely. As you are Mary Carol.
xoxo
Lisa
Leeshideaway
sandy mccune says
May 6, 2013 at 2:22 pmLooking forward to next week. I have lots of “collections” and would love some new ideas.
Mary Carol says
May 6, 2013 at 4:56 pmLisa, you are priceless! Thanks for all your comments and kind words — they make my day!
Jane kurucz says
May 6, 2013 at 8:22 pmMary Carol,
I always look forward to your blog. do you sell leather? thanks.
Candie Nichols says
May 6, 2013 at 9:36 pmMary Carol,
Thanks for the very helpful tips on leather! I have a question I meant to ask you the last time I was in the store. My husband complains that our leather sofa is too slick, and is threatening to “do something about it”! Yikes! Do you have any thoughts or recommendations regarding this dilemma? Thanks! I, too, always enjoy your helpful, cheerful, enthusiasm regarding all things about the home! Blessings to you!
Bobbie Pullen says
May 7, 2013 at 11:14 amMary Carol,
Each week, I look forward to your weekly posting. Thank you for the very helpful information on the care of leather furniture.
Mary Carol says
May 7, 2013 at 6:20 pmHi Jane, yes, we do sell leather furnishings — sofas, chairs, ottomans, you name it!
Mary Carol says
May 7, 2013 at 6:22 pmCandie — try this trick: have slip covers made for the cushions of your leather sofa in a nice fabric, like a plaid or linen. You could even have two sets made – one that’s summer weight and one that’s winter weight. They will give you hubby some traction while he’s lounging. Or, add a throw blanket that you can drape over the back or arm of the sofa for show, and he can pull down and sit on when he’s ready to settle in.
Candie says
May 7, 2013 at 9:17 pmThanks for the reply, Mary Carol! Have been doing the “throw” approach, but I do think I like the slip cover idea too. I’ll have to come see you! 🙂
Karen says
May 8, 2013 at 12:14 amLoved the blog this week. Very informative. Thanks!
Robin Frank -- Vision Interiors says
May 8, 2013 at 9:09 amHi everyone …. My daughter who leather treats her saddle s says use Hydrophane found in tack shops to condition the worn leather … My friend did that … Use soft cloth or just you hand and message it into leather …. Best to use on entire piece to get even tone overall . Worked terrific and it gave her chair back for years . . Can’t use this on ” shinny ” or clear coated leather . Hope this helps someone .
Robin Frank -- Vision Interiors says
May 11, 2013 at 9:30 pmSure did miss a Nell Hills room at the designer show house this year !!!!
Jane Wise says
May 12, 2013 at 8:13 amA question off the subject. Visited the Atchison store yesterday. Admired an ‘Eiffel’ tower oblelisk about 5 1/2 feet tall. The sales lady said she thought there was a taller one, but it was not available from their stock. Does the Briarcliff store have a taller one, and if so, how tall is it? Thanks,
Jane
wanda m bush says
May 12, 2013 at 12:28 pmI am so excited to visit your store. Enjoyed your website so much.
Mary Carol says
May 13, 2013 at 5:22 pmSorry Jane—5 1/2 feet is as tall as it comes. Hope that helps!
Maureen D says
May 23, 2013 at 8:47 amHello there…I’m here in NJ and read the article on leather adapted from your blog. My husband loves leather and I love plaid, flora, houndstooth…..was wondering if you could tell me where I can get the leather couch with plaid pillows in your feature picture?
Thanks so much….greatly appreciated.
Paula says
July 21, 2013 at 10:33 amI am in the market for a new sofa and I am very attracted to a Red/Burgundy or Sangria in this case leather sofa. This particular sofa is top-grade leather and also comes in a chocolate color. As I walk around the store I see other sofas I like but I always come back to this Sangria red leather sofa. I cannot seem to stop thinking about purchasing this sofa for my living room. The problem is, I already have a chocolate brown, big leather chair with rolled arms in the same room already, and a plaid (red/burgundy/green and mushroom) wing chair. The sofa I like, has rolled arms also, just slimmer like that of my leather chair. My walls are painted a golden-honey with brown undertones,(like a deep golden-sand color) and white trim, and my curtains are almost the same color as the wall color. I have burgundy/red accents at the moment which look beautiful in this room. My question to you would be this, should I purchase the Sangria or Chocolate color for the sofa? My heart is in love with the Sangria and I cannot stop thinking about it, but my logical side…the brain is not sure?
Please help,
Paula
ALI RAZA says
July 26, 2013 at 2:05 pmI have admired that chesterfield sofa in your study the few times I’ve visited your home. I love how you have accented it with the pillows. Your den is lovely and comforting with it’s warm browns and plaids. So lovely. As you are Mary Carol.
~ALI RAZA
lauri mellor says
September 1, 2013 at 8:58 amWhen I put accent pillows on my leather sofa, they don’t stay “standing up”, they slip and lay flat on the sofa. Any solutions? Thanks!
Sue Rutsen says
November 22, 2013 at 3:18 pmWhat fabric do you use on pillows that sit on leather? What fabric helps the pillow stay in place rather than sliding all over?
priya says
January 22, 2014 at 10:59 amIf one have to choose between black or burgundy contemporary leather sofa, which one is more popular ?
For a small basement, what are the popular leather sofas colors?
Carol Bergeson says
February 19, 2014 at 2:45 pmQuestion: We are about to order a leather lounge chair. What color will stand up the best with daily wear? Is a dark brown a natural color that won’t “rub off”?
We’ve had two ivory/white whose arms got soiled, not able to clean/restore. The current one is a mocha brown with white spots where the head rubs and where I tried to wash off a spot on the arm. Any suggestions?
Maxwell Gage says
April 9, 2014 at 7:56 amThank You for sharing nice information about of leather furniture. really you did share very useful information with us.
Romonica says
July 10, 2014 at 8:17 amHi, I have a black leather sofa and loveseat. Adding a cloth chair or lazyboy to this set is a good idea, right? I was thinking burgundy. Help! 🙂
Mary Carol says
July 10, 2014 at 11:57 amHi Romonica,
I think a cloth chair would be great! Maybe consider a patterned chair in a different color, or if burgundy is your favorite color consider that in a pattern. Have fun!
Charles says
August 2, 2014 at 1:22 amI absolutely love aniline full grain leather. Each piece looks unique and looks natural and amazing. Great advice here.
Melody stupar says
May 14, 2016 at 4:02 pm#16 asks where one could purchase the leather sofa in your den. I did not see a response. Do you sell them?
Mary Carol Garrity says
May 31, 2016 at 10:30 amWe do sell leather sofas. Just give us a call for more info, 816-746-4320.
Priti says
May 12, 2018 at 7:46 amHi, came across your blog while searching for ideas to mix leather and fabric upholstered furniture. I have fabric sofa and am thinking of a leather ( or faux leather) ottoman to be used as a coffee table. From your post it looks like you approve the idea.
I have sofa with grey fabric upholstery with almost black finish on the wood ; any suggestions on what color leather will go well with it. And a square or rectangular ottoman?
Suzi says
August 17, 2018 at 1:07 pmI really want a camel colored leather sofa, but I also want leather recliners because my husband prefers a recliner and sometimes he’s stinky and I wouldn’t want him on upholstered furniture. Is it too much if I did charcoal leather recliners with a camel leather sofa?