How Much Does a Leather Couch Cost?
One of the most common types of fabric purchased for a couch is leather. Leather is easy to clean up and handles wear and tear rather well. The cost of a leather couch will depend on the size, the design, the brand and where its purchased from.
How much does a leather couch cost?
Depending on the size, a leather couch can cost anywhere from $300 to as much as $3,500. Faux leather is going to cost a lot less than traditional leather since it is not considered real leather, whereas well-constructed couches with a higher quality leather material can fetch prices as high as $5,000.
A faux leather couch can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,200 per piece. For instance, the Homelegance Allen Faux Contemporary Sofa retails for $430 to $575.
A sectional leather couch that can fit more than four people can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000.
La-Z-Boy.com, for example, offers leather couches that range anywhere from $500 to $2,000.
Furniture for a Cause does a good job breaking down the types of leather sofas and explains a vinyl couch ccan cost as little as $400, while a genuine leather couch could cost more than $2,000.
Most common types of leather sofas
Vinyl
Vinyl will be the most basic leather type and will be the cheapest out of all the types mentioned in our list. This type of sofa won’t have leather in the material; instead, it’s considered a synthetic material that is over a fabric backing. While it is easy to clean and very reasonable in price, it won’t last as long as durable leather, even though it can look like the material from a distance.
Bonded
This material will have actual leather in the material, but it will be repurposed from remnants left over from pieces of genuine leather. During the process, the leather will be grounded down and then blended with fabric materials to produce a material that mimics leather. While it won’t be 100 percent leather, 60 percent is necessary in order to be called “bonded” leather. Aside from vinyl, this will be your next cheapest option and can be in the $1,000 range.
Leather Match
A step above bonded material, the leather match will possess both genuine and faux leather. Usually, the parts of the sofa where your body touches will be made from genuine leather, while the outside back and arms, along with the front rails will be made from a faux material. Since this type of material has genuine material, the costs can be more than a bonded couch.
Genuine
If you want a couch to last for years and years, then you should look no further than genuine leather. Even though it may “crackle” over time, it won’t peel like a vinyl couch. To know if it is made of 100 percent genuine, the website we mentioned earlier, Furniture for a Cause, says you should smell the leather.
What are the extra costs?
A leather couch conditioner and cleaner is highly recommended to ensure that the couch maintains its natural color and stays clean. Cleaner and conditioner kits can cost anywhere from $10 to $40 and should be used at least two to three times per year.
While optional, a slipcover or cover is ideal for those that have a pet or child in the house. These covers can prevent the couch from seeing any damage. A cover can start at $20.
Additional features such as a recliner or pullout bed can cost extra compared to traditional couches without these features.
Furniture shops can offer extended warranties that protect the couch. If anything happens to the couch, the furniture retailer will send out a professional to fix the problem. Common problems include color disfiguration as well as rips and tears. The cost of this extended warranty will depend on the length of the warranty and the furniture store offering it. Most warranties will be in the $100 to $300 range and will last three to five years outside the company warranty.
Most furniture stores may charge an additional delivery charge if a certain amount of money isn’t spent. These delivery charges can range anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on the mileage and store policy.
Tips to know
The average leather couch will sit either two or three people. Sectional couches can sit more than six people and may come in two pieces that have to be put together. Some stores may also allow you to customize your sectional to your liking, making the sky your limit.
Some models may include a cup holder and storage in the center and even recliner built in.
When purchasing a leather couch, you should pay attention to the framework aside from the comfortability. If the framework isn’t solid, then the padding and couch frame can wear away over time. When in the store, pay close attention to the stitching detail around the sofa. You’re going to want to make sure the stitching is tight and you will want to make sure there are no loose ends. Good craftsmanship can often be noticed by the stitching alone. If you’re unsure what to look for, consider looking at pictures online and comparing the two in person.
Aside from inspecting the stitching, also pay close attention to the nail heads around the sofa. If you see any that stick out, then you may want to avoid that particular sofa as this can be a sign of shoddy workmanship.
LeatherHelp.com recommends looking for the middle-of-the-road sofas. If the sofa is too cheap, it may have a poor frame and it will be made partially from synthetic leather, which means it will wear out a lot sooner than expected. He recommends steering clear of the big box stores that offer couches for less than $1,000. On the other hand, she also mentions being careful when purchasing “higher end” leather sofas that claim to be made from aniline, nu buck, semi-aniline or butter-soft leather. While these sofas may look great at the furniture store, they are known to suck up oils, making it extremely hard to clean. In conclusion, he mentions that you need to spend $1,500 to $3,000 for a quality sofa and you should look into either a middle-grade finish or pull-up leather.
How can I save money?
Check the local Salvation Army or Goodwill. For those on a budget, these are great places to look for a couch at half the cost.
Craigslist lists hundreds of couches on any given day. People may sell due to moving or an upgrade and some can be found for up to 80 percent off.
Consider going to the clearance center of most furniture stores. These clearance centers will have couches at 50% since they are models that are more than a few years old
While most are comfortable purchasing furniture in person, many online furniture shops online can offer exclusive deals and promotions.
In the furniture world, you get what you pay for. While it’s extremely tempting to purchase a couch for a low price, it may cause problems a lot sooner than expected. Before committing to a couch, even if it’s thousands of dollars, be sure to read the good and bad online to see what other people, who have owned the couch, are saying. What you may come to find out is that some couches may be worth the investment, while others may not.
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