ALL ABOUT LEATHER FURNITURE

The MAG - 03.23

By Emanuele Drago

Pelle Frau Poltrona Frau

Why choose a piece of furniture or an armchair upholstered in leather? You’ve surely asked yourself this question at least once, in a market that offers furniture and seating in this exclusive and natural material.

Leather is pleasant to the touch and to the eye, conveying exclusivity and sophistication, and lends a sophisticated and luxurious touch to any space.

The practicality of leather

Leather is an excellent alternative to fabrics, as it is now treated to be a stain-resistant, scratch-resistant upholstery and is available in a wide range of colors and types (some of which are eco-friendly, like Poltrona Frau’s Impact Less leather) to offer comfort and versatility. 

Pelle Frau Soul Poltrona Frau

Pelle Frau®  Soul, photo taken from the official website of Poltrona Frau

How to choose a leather sofa 

Choosing a leather sofa for the living area in your home can be complex, given the wide offering that exists and the different quality of material and designer. Buying a leather sofa means choosing a piece of furniture that is likely going to last many years in the home (used leather becomes even more beautiful over time). Each different type of workmanship corresponds to both a totally different tactile and visual effect, as well as a different cost.

The first criterion in choosing leather furniture is precisely the processing of the leather, meaning the method used to tan the leather. We can obtain suede, which is soft as velvet, or leather with a stiff, wear-resistant texture. Suede is obtained by special abrasion that makes it thin, resulting in a finished product that is velvety and extremely pleasant to the touch. It is an excellent choice for seats and sofas with a light and delicate design. Nubuck leather, on the other hand, is that from which the first layer is removed, while split leather is leather obtained from the most superficial part of the leather.  

Lavorazione Pelle Frau Poltrona Frau

The finishing process, photo taken from the official website of Poltrona Frau


If there are pets in your house or if your sofa undergoes frequent wear and tear, you can opt for leather with a varnished finish. This is a polished product that can be obtained thanks to one or more layers of varnish applied to the leather.

Design Italy offers a wide selection of luxury contemporary leather seating and sofas, including sofa CHESTER by Poltrona Frau, the GIULIETTA armchair by Arflex, designed by B.B.P.R. in 1958, or the historic CAB 412 chair and Cab 413 armchair by Cassina.

In addition to seating and sofas, leather is an increasing protagonist in bedrooms, thanks to upholstered headboards like SIG.RE bed by Dale Italia.

Sofas , Armchairs , Tables , Headboards , Desks , Game Tables, and Home Decor , such as the LUOGHI RELAZIONALI marble and leather storage unit by La Casa di Pietra or Pasotti’s distinctive umbrellas with leather-covered handles.