The best leather sofas: recliners, corner sofas, Chesterfields and more

Relax on a design classic with our pick of the best leather sofas

Butterbump leather sofa
(Image credit: Loaf)

Not sure where to start when choosing a sofa – and particularly a leather one – for your living room? There is a lot to consider, from picking the right colour and type of leather to deciding on the type of frame to suit your room.

That's why we have pulled together a selection of the best leather sofas on the market for you to choose from. Be it a classic leather Chesterfield, or a slouchy sectional, this edit will help you to find the best sofa for your living room.

What to consider when buying a leather sofa

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Which leather?

There are several different types of leather to choose from: pigmented leather, aniline leather and semi-aniline leather all bring different characteristics to the table. 

Pigmented leather is durable and identified by its consistent surface – it means it lacks any natural blemishes like scars or stretch marks. 

Aniline leather is very natural looking, but just as luxurious in its appearance. Aniline sofas are completely unique as they retain the hides original surface. Aniline leather is usually less resistant to stains, so consider the likelihood of spillages before you make your final decision. 

Semi aniline leather is a blend between the two. It’s usually features the naturalness of pure aniline, but is more robust and resistant to stains. Use our guide to cleaning leather to find out more.

Which cushioning?

You should also consider the cushioning of your sofa – it is where you are going to spend most of your relaxation time after all! Most cushions are filled with wadding, however some contain a blend of duck feather and manmade material for that ultra luxurious feel. Supportive cushions may also be pocket sprung for extra comfort.

Which frame type?

The frame, too, is important to the comfort factor of your sofa, and its appearance. Scandi-style sofas like our West Elm Mathias Leather Loveseat often showcase the frame as much as the cushioning, while classic family corner sofas have an in-built frame for hidden support. Frames are, for the most part, made out of wood, so consider whether you require dark, light or medium wood – you don’t want your new leather sofa to look out of place.  

With all that in mind, we’ve browsed our favourite retailers including John Lewis, Laura Ashley and Furniture Village to bring you a varied collection of leather sofas. From stylish simple designs that would suit a modern living room to Chesterfield sofas for more traditional living spaces

Leather sofa

1. Halo Earle Large Chesterfield Leather Sofa

Soft and luxurious; this stunning sofa is available in a range of warming colours

Specifications

Best for: Classic style
Colour: Riders Cocoa, Riders Nut, Riders Black, Antique Whisky
Seats: Two
Dimensions: H78cm x W220cm x D97cm

Reasons to buy

+
Classic scroll and button detailing
+
Made from soft, natural-looking leather

Reasons to avoid

-
 Low back 

Made from aniline leather, this sofa is wonderfully natural and soft for all-round comfort. Featuring scroll arms and buttoned cushions, its design is incredibly traditional, while its warm colour range is very classic. With thought having gone into every detail, the darkwood frame is finished by four beautifully carved and polished legs, which should be considered if you’re looking for this sofa to harmonise with any existing wooden furnishings. 

Dwell marsielle leather sofa

(Image credit: Dwell)

2. Dwell Marseille leather two seater sofa

A beautifully elegant sofa with pillow-like cushioning

Specifications

Best for: Pillowy seats
Colour: Tan, stone, grey
Seats: Two
Dimensions: H67cm x W154cm x D88cm

Reasons to buy

+
Also comes in a corner, three-seater and armchair
+
Retro looking

Offering an elegant look with its contrasting tan-dyed leather, solid wood frame and walnut veneer legs, this two-seater sofa comes in two other colours. There's also an armchair, three-seater sofa or corner sofa to match. The slightly splayed legs of the platform base has a mild retro feel which, when combined with the stitch detail on the sides and cushions, give it a contemporary look. Love it!

Leather sofa

3. G Plan Vintage The Fifty Three Leather Sofa

A shapely, vintage-style sofa with a host of colours to its name

Specifications

Best for: Sophistication
Colour: Grey, Oak, Taupe, Black, Chocolate, Chalk, Claret, Olive, Putty, Sand, Stone
Seats: Two
Dimensions: H87cm x W159cm x D103cm

Reasons to buy

+
Plenty of colours to choose from
+
High back for support

Reasons to avoid

-
 Narrower than other sofas on our list 

If you’re looking for your star attraction, it could be here in this gorgeously vintage sofa. Shapely, and built with comfort in mind, it brings the design essentials to the forefront to offer a sofa that is stylish as it is perfect for purpose. With button detailing and a lightwood frame, this sofa is also about the finer details. There are 11 colours to choose from, so picking the right sofa for your home has never been easier (or harder, if there are several you like the look of). 

Leather sofa

4. World of Leather Salvador Corner Sofa

The ultimate movie marathon sofa

Specifications

Best for: Comfort
Colour: Dark Grey, Tuscan Brown, Black Cloud, Heather
Seats: Three
Dimensions: H86cm x W270cm x D156cm

Reasons to buy

+
Choose to have the corner on the right or left side
+
Chaise for the maximum comfort

Reasons to avoid

-
Metal feet may be to everyone’s taste

If you are trying not to slouch, this sofa comes with lumbar support installed, making in the ideal purchase for those with bad backs. While large in size, you can choose which end you want the chaise to best match your living room layout. 

Leather sofa

5. Seattle Premium Leather Sofa

Effortlessly cool 60’s style

Specifications

Best for: Statement
Colour: Blue, Brown, Black, Tan
Seats: Two
Dimensions: H89cm x W134cm x D83cm

Reasons to buy

+
Lots of attention to detail
+
Fashion-piece

Reasons to avoid

-
Harder back compared to others

Inspired by the '60s shapes and colours, this sofa is a bold statement piece that’ll certainly draw the eye. It features a smooth silhouette for a soft edge, and with detailing including the brass feet and combination foam and feather cushions, provides the right combination of style and colour. While the back may not be as plush as other sofas on our list, it’s high and supportive, ideal if you have suffer from an achy back. 

Leather sofa

6. Nicoletti Lucano Leather Power Recliner Sofa

A luxury leather sofa for ultimate comfort

Specifications

Best for: Relaxation
Colour: Bianco, Beige, Fango, Taupe, Rosso-S, Blu-S, Grigio Scuro, Dali Torora, Dali, Grigio
Seats: Three
Dimensions: H100cm x W206cm x D104cm

Reasons to buy

+
Power recliner and headrest
+
Choose your leather grade and colour

Reasons to avoid

-
On the expensive side

If you’re looking for pure upholstered luxury, we’re pretty sure this Italian designed power recliner leather sofa will fit the bill. With a powered recliner back and headrest, you can adjust the settings to your prefered level of comfort, while the soft leather and deep foam seats will bring a whole new level to your relaxation. There’s a range of colours and leather qualities to choose from, so this is a fully customisable sofa that promises to meet both your style and comfort demands. See more recliner sofas in our buyer's guide.

Looking for more sofa inspiration?

Hebe Hatton

Hebe joined the Real Homes team in early 2018 as Staff Writer before moving to the Livingetc team in 2021 where she took on a role as Digital Editor. She loves boho and 70's style and is a big fan of Instagram as a source of interiors inspiration. When she isn't writing about interiors, she is renovating her own spaces – be it wallpapering a hallway, painting kitchen cupboards or converting a van.