where do you buy a nice, durable leather couch?

3 years ago

I would like to buy a couch or sectional, preferably in leather, that would hold up for a number of years. I have owned various couches over the years, and have not been impressed by the durability of any of them. In particular, I am very down on La-z-Boy, as the two different couches I have purchased from them, at two different times, have been awful.

Can someone please suggest a company that you have purchased a leather couch or sectional AT LEAST a year ago that you really love? And if you have had issues with something you purchased that you did not love, could you please share that review too?

TIA.

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The KEEPING ROOM

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

What is your budget? That's the first thing to ascertain. Typically people seek top quality and don't allow enough in their budget to achieve it. A high quality sofa in leather will run $ 3,500 to $ 7,000. A sectional typically $ 8,500 to $ 12,000.

If you want the three best makes in the USA, they would be Hancock and Moore, Leathercraft and Century Signature line (not their lower Cornerstone series). Those three brands are about all that are left to build with solid maple or ash frames (Not Plywood like 95% of all others made), true 8-way hand-tied spring decks over steel-band webbing, Dupont Qualux HR Foam and side and back padding as well as a host of other premium features.

If you take care of the leather and do cleaning/conditioning on the hide every 4 o 6 months (and maintain that schedule) and don't set the piece in the sun where the UV rays will eat it up, then you are looking at pieces that will last 30 years. At the 10 to 15 year mark, you will need to order new seat cores. Only Hancock and Moore provides those to the original owner free of charge as long as they have the piece.

I have two Leathercraft sofas in my own home in daily use. they are 18 years old and still going strong. I did new seat cores in them three years ago at a cost of $ 600 ( $ 300 each sofa) and it was well worth it. My oldest leather piece is a Hancock and Moore Woodbridge Recliner I bought in 1986 and its still in excellent shape at 34 years of age.

My store is one of the top sellers of Hancock and Moore (disclaimer) and I am no longer a Leathercraft dealer as they had too many quality control issues that their final inspector was missing a few years back and I dropped the line. However, when they are "On" they build a quality product and they may have resolved those issues. I am also a Century dealer as well as Bradington - Young, but neither are at the level of the Hancock and Moore build standard.

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Comments (12)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMO a good Italian made lather sofa with strapping for seating instead of springs is a best buy for your money I have had over 50+ yrs Italian leather sofas one is now 40+ yrs old in my son’s basement media room he refilled the seating cushions about 5 yrs ago but other than that it looks awesome and sits very much like it did when it was new. A decnt priced company is Natuzzi they have a good warranty have been around forever , great styles and really nice leather. I usually suggst if this is going to be well used stay with a cowhide instead of those really soft leathers. The soft ones do stretch but the cowhide stays pretty much the same over a long period of time.
Linda Y thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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Just saw your California comment. I can't get Smith here either. The Omnia leather I have been looking at is based in California. They are US made and 100% leather. The ones we've been looking at are all very cofortable and I especially like that the cushions (seat and back) can have the inserts replaced. Even those pillowy arms that are the first thing to go flat (though I still prefer a true arm for myself). Surely you can find a dealer out there. They have a couple of online retailers I'v found -- if nothing else, you can compare pricing (leather furniture expo and leather showroom, which is the online part of texas leather interiors). We had two cats when we got out current leather sectional and they were with us another 10 years. I have exactly one small scratch on the end where back claws tried to did in as one was being chased. It could be coveed up with shoe polish but because of the location, I tried it once and never worried about it again. Don't be tempted to use a marker -- someone did that on a spot on a reclinging sofa we saw at a clearance center -- the ink soaked right in, bled and made it larger, dark and awful. We've had the sectional now for nearly 13 years and 2 boys and their friends and family grew up during those years as well as aquired two 50-60 lb dogs who have lived on that sectional with us. It's still functional, but one seat is showing wear and the arms have lost some oomph in the padding. And it was a Lane -- which people now say is junk. Maybe not the same reputation 13 years ago -- I don't know. The leather should hold up well -- if the frame is solid, you should be good for a long time.
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smit2380
3 years ago
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Linda Y thanked smit2380
Linda Y
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the help! Our budget has not really been decided yet, as I have paid over a thousand for two of my couches, and they have not held up at all. I would probably save a while longer to be able to buy a really quality piece--just because if you buy something, and a year from now, have to replace it, you are better off (and better for the environment too) spending more at the beginning, and getting longer wear.
mcoledesign
3 years ago
I have Bradington Young & Smith Brothers and love them both! no issues. 8-10 yrs old
Linda Y thanked mcoledesign
PRO
Wellington's Fine Leather Furniture
3 years ago
I agree. Save up and buy better so you don't have to buy new every few years. The lines mentioned above are high end and price that way. Their are other good lines out there that are not priced as high you might want to consider when you are ready to buy.
Linda Y thanked Wellington's Fine Leather Furniture
Linda Y
Original Author
3 years ago
what slightly lower cost lines are you thinking of? I will need to buy something within the next year.
PRO
Wellington's Fine Leather Furniture
3 years ago
Do you want stationary or motion?
Linda Y
Original Author
3 years ago
we prefer stationary. And are open to the idea of (small) sectionals.
pricklypearcactus
3 years ago
I have a Hancock and Moore leather sofa that we bought used quite a few years ago (more than 5) and it's still in great shape. Incredibly comfortable and the leather is so soft.
njmomma
3 years ago
following
bevith
3 years ago
Have learned the lesson, you get what you pay. Save the money to invest in quality. I have purchased a Hancock and Moore leather sofa and wing back chair, and it is very well made !!

where do you buy a nice, durable leather couch?

The KEEPING ROOM

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