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Leather furniture offers a timeless appeal that combines durability, style, and comfort. While fabric upholstery is more common, leather furniture remains a popular choice for many households due to its unique benefits. At La-Z-Boy, we offer a wide range of living room furniture that looks stunning with leather upholstery. In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about La-Z-Boy leather furniture, including the different types of leather, their benefits, and how they compare to fabric options.
Key Takeaways
- La-Z-Boy has many types of leather to choose from, including aniline and semi-aniline leather.
- Leather covers at La-Z-Boy are associated with a leather program that has three tiers: Select Leather, Custom Leather, and Custom Leather Plus.
- La-Z-Boy also has faux leather options, which are made from recycled pieces of leather shaved off from the tannery.
- When shopping at La-Z-Boy for leather furniture, consider your style preferences and the other furniture pieces in your home. You want your leather cover to match what you already have, so it creates a cohesive look.
In This Article...
- Types of Leather and Customization Options at La-Z-Boy
- Benefits of Leather Upholstery
- Leather Care and Maintenance Tips
- Is La-Z-Boy Leather Right for You?
Types of Leather and Customization Options at La-Z-Boy
At La-Z-Boy, we have many leathers to choose from, with some of them having different properties associated with them. Here they are…
Aniline and Semi-Aniline Leather
Full Aniline Leather
Full aniline leather is dyed in a translucent water-based dye without any added pigments. The aniline dyes accentuate natural variations in the fibre, such as grains, pores, and markings. However, this absorbency makes it prone to stains.
Semi-Aniline Leather
Semi-aniline leather includes a small amount of pigment or finish, which allows the hide's natural characteristics to still show through. This type of leather is soft and warm, feels natural, and provides more protection than full-aniline leather.
Nubuck
Nubuck is created by buffing and polishing top-grain leather, resulting in a soft, suede-like texture. While this process retains the hide's natural variations, Nubuck is less thick than full aniline leather and susceptible to fading. A wax or topical coating may be applied for additional protection.
Corrected/Pigmented Leather
Corrected or pigmented leather undergoes additional processing and colorization to create a more consistent appearance. The surface is treated with a protective topcoat containing colour, which reduces natural softness but increases durability.
La-Z-Boy Leather Program
Leather furniture at La-Z-Boy is upholstered with genuine top-grain leather, expertly suited to your needs and style. However, our leather program separates these leathers by the level of quality. Our leather program includes:
Select Leather
Displayed in showrooms, select leather is the most affordable option and is available for specific furniture frames. Select leathers include:
- Full Leather (LL): Leather covers the entire furniture frame.
- Leather Match (LM): Authentic leather on touch points (arms, seats, back), with synthetic leather on the back and sides.
Custom Leather
If the select leather options are unsatisfactory, the custom leather tier offers additional performance leather colours for most furniture frames, with LM options available.
Custom Leather Plus
For full customization, the Custom Leather Plus program provides a range of rich colours and textures, covering the entire furniture frame with authentic leather. These premium leathers incur higher costs due to their quality.
Specialty Leathers
iClean Leathers
iClean Technology™ surrounds the leather materials, creating a barrier that helps repel spills before they become stains.
Antimicrobial Leathers
Similar to the existing antimicrobial fabrics at La-Z-Boy, antimicrobial leathers protect the surface from mould, mildew, and odour-causing bacteria.
Crypton Leather
Crypton leather protects against UV damage, repels dust, dirt, and stains, and helps replenish natural oils. It is also considered environmentally safe.
Benefits of Leather Upholstery
Durability
Leather furniture is incredibly durable, lasting up to five times longer than fabric. Its strength and elasticity make it resistant to tearing and wear, ensuring longevity.
Easy Maintenance
Leather is easier to clean than fabric, often requiring just a damp cloth to wipe away spills. It doesn't trap allergens like pet dander and dust mites, making it a hypoallergenic choice.
Timeless Style
Leather exudes luxury and sophistication, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any room. It becomes more comfortable over time, adapting to your room's climate and environment.
Cost-Effectiveness
While the initial cost is higher, leather's durability and low maintenance requirements can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements.
Comparing Leather and Fabric
When choosing between leather and fabric upholstery, it's important to consider your lifestyle and personal preferences. Leather offers a luxurious look and feel, is easy to clean, and is highly durable. However, it can be more expensive and may feel hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
Fabric, on the other hand, offers a wider variety of styles and colours, tends to be softer and more comfortable, and is generally more affordable. However, fabric may require more maintenance and may not be as durable as leather.
To get a better understanding of whether fabric or leather is right for you, take a look at this comparison article.
Leather Care and Maintenance Tips
Taking care of your leather is important to the overall look of your furniture. After all, if it doesn't get regularly taken care of, it might risk peeling, cracking and flaking, which is never a good thing. To help with this, it is important to do some of the following things so you can avoid these common problems.
To learn more about Common Leather Problems, take a look at this article.
Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning is essential to maintain the look and longevity of your leather upholstery. Use a damp cloth to wipe away dust and spills.
Leather Conditioning
Leather can dry out over time, so it's important to condition it periodically to keep it supple and prevent cracking. Use a high-quality leather conditioner recommended by the manufacturer.
La-Z-Boy has its own leather conditioner that you can request if you're purchasing leather furniture from us. To learn more about Conditioning Your Leather Furniture, take a look at this article.
Stain Removal
For minor stains, blot the area with a clean, damp cloth. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain further into the leather. For tougher stains, refer to the cleaning instructions provided with your sofa.
In addition to our iClean fabrics, La-Z-Boy also has iClean leathers, which you can learn more about here.
Protecting Your Leather
Consider using leather protectors to prevent spills and stains. Keep sharp objects and pet claws away from your leather furniture to avoid scratches and tears.
Is La-Z-Boy Leather Right For You?
Leather furniture is an excellent investment for those seeking durability, style, and low maintenance. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. This infographic provides a quick overview of the pros and cons of Leather upholstery.
Consider your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences to determine if leather is the right choice for you.
What's Next?
After reading this guide, you should have a detailed understanding of leather upholstery at La-Z-Boy. If you’re ready to invest in a new piece of leather furniture, visit our La-Z-Boy locations in Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston to explore our selection. You can also take advantage of our complimentary interior design services to help see what kind of leather furniture you'd like in your home.
For more information on La-Z-Boy products, check out these helpful articles:
By exploring these resources and visiting our stores, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and find the perfect leather furniture that combines comfort, style, and functionality. Thank you for considering La-Z-Boy, where we strive to provide the best in home comfort and design.
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