These bring instant sophistication to your space.
As shopping editors who regularly test furniture, we have seen our fair share of sofas. There are many types, and we love them all, but today, we are picking a favorite: the best leather sofas. There's a lot to know about leather sofas, but first and foremost, they're beautiful and have a slightly more nostalgic, luxurious feel without sacrificing comfort. The second thing to know about leather sofas—especially the ones on our list—is the various types: namely, full-grain (the highest quality and most durable), faux (a synthetic, animal-free material), and everything in between. One isn't necessarily better than the other, as they have different elements to offer, but what you get depends on what you're looking for, and that's where we come in.
Ahead, you'll find nearly 10 options that we love (some of which we actually own ourselves) that will convince you that leather is the way to go. What's more, after our list of House Beautiful-approved sofas, we share everything you need to know about both buying and maintaining them. Ready for a major living room upgrade? Shop our list of truly fabulous leather sofas that come in every size and price point. You're welcome.
One of our favorite picks is from Burrow. "I love a leather sofa because the material doesn't trap smells or dust compared to some other fabrics. When it came time to choose one for our apartment, I went with Burrow's Nomad model because it was marketed towards people living in small apartments (me), and it looked modern, which is the vibe of my current space," says Senior Commerce Editor Marina Liao. "I like that the sofa can be configured however you like. We opted for the removable chaise to make the three-seater into an L-shape, so that someone could lie down while watching TV."
Modular configurations are ideal for anyone not ready to commit to an L-shape because you can put the chaise on either end, so if you know you're not in your forever home, go with a modular sofa. "The leather is buttery smooth, and despite all the guests who have sat and slept on the sofa, there are no cracks or scratches on the leather! Whenever friends ask me for a leather couch recommendation, I definitely say, if you have the budget, Burrow is by far one of the best high-quality options for small-space living," Liao adds.
For anyone who may think otherwise, a comfy futon is definitely a type of sofa, so we are adding this stylish midcentury-inspired option to the list. It comes in 14 colors, including this bright white. If you're worried it will get filthy, know that it's faux leather, which makes it a lot easier to clean. Liquids and oils definitely won't affect this material the way it would real leather. It's also what makes the sofa a lot more affordable. "This took like five minutes to put together. It's very sturdy and comfortable. I have hip and back issues and this is awesome. I can sit on it or lay on it all day!" one reviewer said.
If this molasses-hued leather couch is a little too dark for your space, rest assured. It comes in a whopping 42 additional colors. Think denim blue, camel, saddle, and more. The only downside to the insane amount of color options is that, because there are so many, Pottery Barn only has a mere few in stock and ready to ship. The others can take up to 12 weeks to both make and ship. We'd say that this couch is worth the wait, though. It features a deep seat filled with a down-blend to make it sink-in-soft. Trust us; movie nights on this thing will become your favorite ritual of the week. Did we mention that white-glove delivery is included?
Sadly, the cushions aren't removable, but that's because they're essentiallythe frame. The whole sofa is padded with fiber-wrapped, dense foam, so every inch (except the two inches of exposed wooden legs) is a cozy spot to lean and lounge on. The real draw, though, is in the shape. It's undeniably a low-profile silhouette with track arms and deep seating. It's definitely a look. Get it in graphite (pictured) or camel. You can't go wrong with either. One word of caution, though, no matter which color you get: Due to the nature of leather, placing this sofa in direct sunlight will cause it to fade, so try to put it as far from the window as possible.
This elegant Chesterfield is available in 45 colors, but we like the classic options, which typically fall within the light-to-dark brown range. Anyone with traditionally designed interiors can do themselves and their living room a favor by adding this gorgeous and cozy piece to the mix because it's both comfortable and contract-grade, so it's literally built to last. Unlike some of the other options on the list, this piece doesn't have a removable, plush cushion for added comfort. Instead, it's a combination of polyester-wrapped foam and and-tied coil springs, which makes it a bit on the firmer side, but highly comfy, depending on what you tend to gravitate towards.
Is it just us, or are there a lot of blue leather sofas out there? It's making us think that blue is the new brown when it comes to furniture, and we are absolutely here for it. This beautiful tufted couch is actually finished in faux leather, making it more affordable and easier to clean than the real thing. It also doesn't require any moisturizing or extra care, so if you don't want anything too precious, get this. One reviewer said: "It's not that plastic-rubber stretchy faux leather that we are used to, but it definitely looks like leather in terms of texture. I think whatever sheen they coated it with makes the couch easy to wipe clean."
If the Albany Park Lida sofa looks familiar to you, that’s probably because it’s a classic midcentury modern shape: low-slung, straight-lined, and features tapered legs that splay slightly outward. In fact, this is such a popular style that the brand released it in more than 30 fabrics. We, of course, are gravitating toward the navy leather, which looks and feels like the real thing, but it’s actually vegan, meaning it’s not made from animals. We consider that a plus to anyone who considers themselves a friend to the cows. You can also choose the leg finish: brass, natural oak, black metal, or brown oak. You really can’t go wrong.
West Elm's Axel sofa comes in three sizes that range from 60 to 89 inches, so whether you're looking to decorate a small space or a sprawling living room, this couch will definitely get the job done. The selling point is definitely the genuine top-grain leather, which is thick and soft, making it super cozy to cuddle up on.
The 1970s are famous for many things, one of which is impeccable style, and this George Bighinello for Eurosalotto leather sofa is proof. Plus, if postmodern style is your vibe, you can't really do better than this Italian-made leather masterpiece. The shape, rich tone, and ruched frame are artistic marvels of the time that sadly don't exist much today.
For this story, I spent 10-plus hours researching the best leather sofas on the market. To kick off my product search, I turned to the House Beautiful editors to find out if any of my colleagues have and love their leather couches. To my delight and surprise, a few of our editors have solid recommendations that they’ve owned. As for the remaining products on the list, I turned to my trusty friend, the internet. I read hundreds of reviews to find the best-of-the-best leather sofas. Not to mention, I wanted to find the best options in terms of both functionality and looks, which is why every option on our list is both utility-forward and gorgeous.
We often say the high price of furniture is due to the materials used, which tend to be higher quality and more expensive. When it comes to leather couches, that is definitely true. The best leather quality for a couch is undeniably full-grain leather, which is essentially an unprepared hide that goes straight into the tanning process. Not only is this type of leather thick and durable, but it ages well with use and time. You don't have to worry about treating or buffing it because the natural tightness of the grain will protect it against common offenses, like moisture. The only downside is the price. Any furniture upholstered in full-grain leather will not come cheaply.
If you don't want to spend too much but still opt for a good-quality leather couch, go with top-grain leather, which, as its name implies, is the top layer of the hide that gets sanded, buffed, or shaved in preparation for whatever finish the designer wants. Most handbags are made with top-grain leather because it's easier to dye. Like full-grain leather, it isn't exactly cheap, but it's more affordable than full-grain. It's also prone to scratches, so if you like the brand-new look, you may want to just bite the bullet and go for full-grain.
Leather is a great material for furniture because, for the most part, it is easy to care for and doesn't actually require much maintenance (if you go for high-quality grains). There are a few downsides, though. Depending on the type of leather you choose, it can be really expensive. And if you aren't willing to spend a few thousand dollars on your leather couch, you may be faced with other disadvantages, including fading, cracking, scratching, and more. Because leather—even lower quality leather—is still skin, it will be prone to all of the problems your own skin faces. Not to mention, if you go for a couch that's made of bonded leather, you may notice some peeling where you sit the most because there's only about 20 percent actual leather in the material.
Unless you're buying a vintage, antique, or used leather sofa, you can easily find out the type of leather used, which will indicate the quality. New sofas should include information about the material. Otherwise, there are a few ways to discover the leather quality without a tag or product background. First is the smell. If you've ever walked into a leather shop, you were probably bombarded by a very strong scent, which most people find pleasant. Take a sniff of the leather sofa to figure out the quality: If it does, indeed, smell of rich leather, it's good quality. If there's no scent, it's probably bonded or faux leather.
The next step is to touch the leather with your finger: Like your own skin, it should stretch and slightly wrinkle. It's not perfectly smooth, but it should be relatively pliable. If the leather just dimples beneath your finger, it may not be high-quality leather.
The last step may be a little tricky to pull off if you're at a store, but it works: Drip a tiny bit of water onto the sofa. Real leather will absorb it (no stains), and faux leather will let it sit there on the surface until you wipe it away.
I may not be a professional interior designer, but as someone who has worked in the editorial design space for nearly a decade and decorated four apartments since graduating college, I know what makes a good sofa, where to find it, and how to buy one. Plus, I've written about and recommended couches on more than a few occasions. From the best cheap sofas to the House Beautiful editor-approved ones that actually live in our homes, I've covered all things couches. It was only a matter of time before I delved into what's considered by some to be one of the most classic sofa materials of all time: a leather couch. For this story, I spent over 10-plus hours combing through reviews, ratings, and tapped my fellow editors to find the best leather sofas on the market right now for House Beautiful readers.
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