As a leading manufacturer and supplier of designer leather lounges in Melbourne, it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about selecting a great quality lounge to meet your needs. We thought we’d share this latest article with you, on how to choose a great quality leather lounge.

Leather is an amazing choice when you’re on the hunt for a new lounge for your home or office. The look, the feel, and even that amazing leather smell. But, with so many styles and choices available you need some tips on how to select a lounge that not only works for the purpose you want it for, but one that will also last.

• There are three basic types of furniture leather – they are named from the part of the hide that is used.
• Top Grain Leather – a layer from the outer hairy part of the hide. Damaged or marked hides are scoured back, and a look-a-like grain is stamped onto the surface. This is known as corrected grain.
• Full Top Grain Leather – this also comes from the top layer of the hide, but a premium hide that is free from defects is used, so the natural grain is genuine and not an imitation.
• Split Leather – this is from the second or third layers of the hide, it is fragile and will stretch. It has no grain and is not suitable for furniture

Cow hide is tough, but it needs processing to turn it into leather suitable for furniture. The most common furniture finish and the most popular for use involves a three-part process. The leather is pigmented, the surface is spray coloured and protected with a clear coating. This gives the benefit of a firmer feel, a wider colour choice and less maintenance for the owner.

For the best leather, full aniline dyes are applied, this shows off the natural grain of the leather, and makes it softer and increases pliability.

The beauty of a genuine leather lounge needs to be supported by a strong sub-structure. Solid hardwood frames and coil springs ensure a superb leather lounge maintains its shape. Look for a structure that isn’t flimsy – for example webbing suspension instead of springs will sag over time and has no memory, always ask about the construction of your leather lounge.

Some lounges have tight cushions that are attached to the frame, keep in mind these cushions cannot be removed for cleaning, repairs or re-stuffing down the track. Cushion content is another indication of a good quality leather lounge – it’s important for both comfort and lifespan, ask how the cushions have been constructed.

You should be able to tell if a lounge is genuine leather or not, as there is a large price difference between faux and real leather. Price does indicate leather quality, but don’t forget to factor in design details and how easy the style of leather will be to keep clean.

We’d love to chat if you are looking for designer leather lounges in Melbourne.