The Best Leather Sofas of 2022

Leather is a stylish, neutral material that complements a variety of decor styles. Sofas made of leather are easy to clean and very durable, and most last up to four times as long as fabric sofas if tears and punctures are avoided.

Some buyers are concerned about the price of the best leather sofas because they are almost always more expensive than fabric versions. However, when you consider the quality, durability, and longevity of leather, this type of sofa can be the most cost-effective choice. Keep reading to learn more about the important features to consider when shopping for the best leather sofa.

• BEST OVERALL: AllModern Hailee 84” Genuine Leather Sofa
• BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Zipcode Design Rosina Faux Leather Reclining Loveseat
• BEST LUXURY: Joybird Eliot Leather Sofa
• BEST MIDCENTURY: Article Timber Charme Chocolat Sofa
• BEST CONTEMPORARY: Sand & Stable Sheldrake Leather Square Arm Sofa
• BEST TRADITIONAL: Birch Lane Adelbert Rolled Arm Chesterfield Sofa
• BEST SECTIONAL: Burrow Nomad Leather Sectional
• BEST MODERN: Article Cigar Rawhide Brown Sofa
• BEST WITH STORAGE: Winston Porter Maumee Faux Leather Sofa with Ottoman

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Leather Sofa

Leather sofas are manufactured in different styles and sizes and with various types of leather. Before making a purchase, consider each couch’s overall comfort and any useful features that might be incorporated into its design. Knowing which type, size, and style of leather sofa you want makes it easier to find one to meet your needs and preferences.

Type

For most shoppers, the style of the sofa—love seat, sectional, sofa bed, or recliner—comprises the major decision-making factor. The different types of sofas are:

Traditional sofas have long bench seats that seat three or four people. Most have raised arms.

Sectional sofas feature interconnecting pieces to offer plenty of seating for multiple individuals. Sectionals come in a variety of shapes: U-shaped, L-shaped, and semicircular.

Love seats, a smaller version of the traditional sofa, usually accommodate two people cozily, hence the name.

Reclining sofas (or recliners) have one or more seats that can recline to allow individuals to put up their feet. Recliners are like couches with built-in footrests.

Futons and some sofa beds or sleeper sofas convert from an upright sofa to a flat bed. Other sleeper sofas look like regular couches but have pull-out mattresses underneath the seat cushions.

Dimensions

Next, think about where in your home the sofa will go and the measurements of that space. A three-person leather sofa typically measures between 70 and 87 inches long, but 84 inches is the most popular length. A long or extra-long couch typically ranges from 87 inches to more than 100 inches long.

The depth of the sofa and the depth of the seat are two important, but sometimes overlooked, measurements. Typically, sofas have an overall depth between 32 and 40 inches. Seat depths can range from standard (20 to 25 inches) to deep (28 to 35 inches) or extra deep (more than 35 inches deep). Test a few sofas to see which seat depth is best. Some people love the coziness of an extra-deep sofa, while others—particularly older people—may have trouble getting up off it.

Finally, consider the seat height, which is measured from the floor to the top of the seat cushions. Most sofas have a seat height between 17 and 18 inches, though this figure can range from 15 to 20 inches.

Leather Type

Leather sofas look terrific and can last for ages, but not all types of leather are top quality. Since a leather sofa is a costly investment, be sure to find out which kind of leather is on the sofa and whether it justifies a premium price before making a purchase.

Top-grain leather, the outer layer of a hide, offers superior durability and strength.

Split-grain leather comes from the second or third layer of the hide after the full-grain leather layer has been removed. Since it’s less expensive than top-grain leather, it’s often used on less-expensive sofas.

Bonded, the cheapest leather, comprises leather scraps bonded together with an adhesive. The finished result may be spray-painted to look like top-grain leather.

Bi-cast leather has a split-layer back covered with either vinyl or polyurethane that’s embossed. Initially designed to make glossy shoes, bi-cast leather is now also used on some furniture pieces. It’s not as durable or long lasting as top-grain leather.

Nubuck leather is sanded to open the cells and give the leather a soft, velvety feel. This leather can look a lot like top-grain leather, but it lacks the quality, strength, or durability of top grain.

Faux leather is not leather at all; instead, it’s a synthetic material with a leather-like look and feel. Faux leather is most often made of polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Style

Finding a sofa to match the style and decor of the living space is another important consideration. Some common sofa styles include the following:

Modern sofas have a sleek design and a low back. Some also may have polished metal legs, while others may be legless.

Midcentury sofas, which have clean lines and slanted or tapered legs, often come in bold colors. A tuxedo sofa, which has arms that are the same height as the sofa’s back, is an example of a popular midcentury-style sofa.

Traditional sofas typically have arched backs with scalloped designs or rolled arms, such as the popular Chesterfield or English sofa.

Contemporary sofas have square edges and come in more neutral colors. The Lawson sofa, which has a high back and low arms, is an example of a popular contemporary sofa.

 Comfort

A sofa’s comfort is equally, if not more, important than its style. The sofa’s cushioning as well as the material used to create the cushioning impacts its comfort level. Some common materials used for padding include:

Foam is the most commonly used material for sofa cushions. The density of the foam impacts its feel and comfort. Low-density foam has the softest feel, but it also flattens the fastest. High-density foam is firm, but it generally softens over time. Some sofas have memory-foam cushions, which contour to the shape of the body to offer greater support.

Hollow-fill fiber sofa cushions are very soft, but they don’t offer much support. However, sofas with hollow-fill fiber cushions can be a comfortable place to lie down and relax or nap. Rotate the cushions frequently to ensure even wear on each side of the cushion to extend their lifespan.

Down or feather cushions are filled with soft feathers. The softness and firmness levels of these cushions can sometimes be customized by adjusting the number of feathers in the cushion.

Batting is used to provide cushioning and insulation to a cushion. Available in 25.5-ounce and 42.4-ounce thickness options, batting may be made from cotton, polyester, or wool.

Polyester sofa cushions come in a variety of densities to match different preferences. These pillow cushions are less expensive, but they may flatten more quickly than cushions made from other materials.

Mixed material sofa cushions feature a mix of some of the materials listed here to create a comfortable and supportive seat cushion.

Additional Features

Finally, consider any additional features, some of which contribute to the sofa’s comfort while others may offer additional functionality. Some nice-to-have sofa features include:

Pull-out reclining seats

Powered reclining seats

Removable covers

Cupholders

Device-charging banks

Storage ottomans