A lounge is such an integral part of life at home, so if you’re in the market for a new one it’s important to spend some time weighing up your options. Basic considerations include your budget, lifestyle and comfort and aesthetic factors.
It’s also worth remembering that the higher the quality of fabrication and the lengths to which you take care of it, the longer your lounge will last. But what is the best material for a lounge? Let’s take a look at the two most popular types – fabric and leather – and how they compare in terms of durability.
Durability Of Fabric Lounges
The wear and tear of fabric lounges depends on the grade of the fabric. High quality fabrics (like cotton, linen and wool) will obviously withstand wear better, however if they are mixed with a synthetic material, will be more breathable, easier to clean and a little more fade-resistant.
Maintaining a fabric lounge can often be as easy as vacuuming the fabric regularly. This will lift excess debris from the weave, which will help prevent fading and be kinder to those with allergies! Choosing a high quality fabric can also decrease the likelihood of it pilling and wearing thin with use.
Also, bear in mind that children and/or pets, can also affect the durability of fabric lounges. Dirt, spills and pet hair are more difficult to remove compared to leather. Unfortunately, a decent clawing by your feline friend may also result in loose threads and the eventual shredding of your lounge!
In terms of cleaning, fabric lounges are relatively easy to maintain and doing it regularly will enhance their life. Spills need to be immediately attended to by blotting with a soft cloth. Many fabric lounges these days are also treated with stain-resistant finishes, so when spills do happen, they’re easier to deal with.
But regardless of the ease of cleaning, if you’re still worried about long-term damage consider using a slipcover. These come in a range of styles and colours, they’re easy to remove and wash, and can be replaced over time if need be.
Durability of Leather Lounges
A quality leather lounge will keep its shape and aesthetics for years to come, and although lighter coloured leathers are less stain resistant, they are still easier to clean than their fabric counterparts. Leather lounges are also very durable, and less likely to pill, tear or fray.
Although scratches from a boisterous cat or dog may be difficult to fix, leather lounges don’t retain pet hair and dander as easily, making them great for people with allergies.
However in terms of the durability of leather lounges, they still need occasional maintenance. Leather is slightly more forgiving than fabric because it is considerably less porous than open-weave fabrics. But spills still need to be wiped up as soon as possible after they occur and a regular dusting will go a long way to extending your lounge’s life as well.
Regular moisturising will keep the leather soft and supple, and spills will be less likely to get soaked into the fabric’s pores. Conditioning consistently will a specially formulated product will also help prevent cracks and splits.
Keen to breathe new life into your favourite fabric or leather lounge? Contact the experts at Lounge Repair Guys. We are experts in a variety of furniture repairs and restorations!
