Leather furniture:
nuances of manufacturing and selection

Have you ever wondered why natural leather is so attractive to people? Most likely, this is a “genetic memory”, because our ancestors began to wear clothes made of leather; they were also used in the house, for example, as a blanket or floor covering. Then furniture was covered with it, screens were made, and furniture produced in England in the 18th – 19th centuries is still an example to follow.

In addition to “genetic memory,” the attractiveness of leather lies in its practicality and wear resistance. The skin does not immediately absorb moisture and tends to stretch and straighten out. If the leather is properly treated, it will not wear out or fade for a long time. A leather sofa will serve you much longer than a fabric one. And if you remember that the skin does not cause allergies and allows air to pass through due to its naturalness, then this is another significant plus in its favor. In addition, tactile sensations will leave few people indifferent. Specialists from the Yasnaya Polyana furniture workshop help us understand the nuances .

For furniture upholstery, pig, horse or goat leather is mainly used, but the most common is cow leather. During treatment, the skin is separated into two layers: lower and upper (facial). The top layer is of higher quality and is used for the manufacture of prestigious furniture. The lower one is used for cheaper models. The front layer must be processed very carefully to maintain its natural appearance.

Tanning is a stage of processing leather before dyeing so that it does not wear out for a long time and does not fade. After tanning, the properties of the leather change; it lends itself well to coloring, becomes smooth, thin and tender. Previously, in ancient times, plants were burned and leather was tanned in this smoke. Now this is done using plant acids or chromium salts. The latter method is cheaper and faster, the time is one day, and when using plant acids it will take approximately one hundred days. If the skin has a bluish tint, it means it was tanned with chromium salts, and brown or yellow - with vegetable substances.

The technologies used for dressing can make the leather multi-colored, with patterns, wrinkled or smooth. For example, from cowhide you can make something like a snake or crocodile. Hot wax treatment is also used. First, the skin is impregnated with it three times, and only then it is dyed. This leather is mainly used to create retro items, as it can be artificially aged.

Photo: Igor Ovsyannykov | Unsplash

Upholstered furniture is decorated with dyed leather: aniline and semi-aniline. Semi-aniline is used to make cheaper furniture, while aniline is processed more delicately and remains natural, but also more fragile. The hallmarks of good leather are that it heats up quickly and wrinkles disappear almost immediately.

When choosing a leather sofa, make sure that there are no overlaps or pulls, the seams should be neat and not attract attention, the leather should be free of defects, except for the scars that the animal itself had.

Office furniture should be more wear-resistant, so upholstery made of semi-aniline leather is suitable, but for the home, choose products made from more expensive aniline, you can also use aged leather. If you sat on the sofa and felt discomfort, then do not rush into the purchase. In sleep models, carefully check the folding mechanism.

Do not forget that natural leather is quite fragile, be careful when using it. Avoid direct sunlight, do not heat, and for cleaning use only special products, or in extreme cases, a damp cloth. Follow all the rules of leather care, and your furniture will delight you for many years.