Looking for a leather sofa? Whilst this isn't going to be an option for the vegans amongst us, a leather couch is a piece of furniture that's intended to get better with time, making it one item of furniture that you won't mind wearing in a little. Plus, leather upholstery can make for durable and easy to clean seating that, depending on the finish, is able to withstand the spills and mishaps of daily life.
However, tracking down a leather sofa can be a time-consuming affair, with not every retailer offering the option of leather upholstery on all – if any – of its sofa frames, not to mention that a leather sofa is usually going to be more of an investment than its fabric-upholstered counterparts.
So, where to look if you decide a sleek and stylish modern leather sofa or classic leather Chesterfield is the option for you? We've tracked down the most stylish and affordable options out there – whether you're looking for a high-legged minimalist two-seater, a low-profile sectional, or a family-friendly couch.
You'll find lots more options in our guide to the best couches you can buy right now, but if you know that leather is the finish for you, just keep on scrolling to find the Real Homes team's round-up.
12 leather sofas you'll want on your radar
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1. Anthropologie Bowen Leather Sofa
Sofa: H31 x W71 x D35" | Upholstery options: 9
Deep T-shaped seats, well-padded back cushions, and seven colorways of burnished top-grain leather (alongside two sleeker polished options) give this leather couch a modern yet relaxed feel that will get better with time. Plus, as well as multiple leather hues to choose from, you also get a choice of widths, with the Bowen sofa available in 71", 81", or 91" width, all with the option of cast iron or brass finish legs.
2. APT2B Jude Leather Sofa
Sofa: H27 x W83 x D35" | Upholstery options: 3
Available in graphite black or saddle brown full-grain leather, this contemporary couch with its minimal platform base and straight metal legs is perfect for a modern living room. If you're looking to furnish a full room then there are plenty of coordinating items too, with ottoman, armchair, and sectional seating all available to match.
3. CB2 Lenyx Leather Sofa
Sofa: H29 x W92.5 x D38" | Upholstery options: 3
Designed by Barcelona-based Mermelada Estudio, this saddle brown leather sofa offers the ultimate low-profile lounging place, with wide track arms and comfortable padding that make you want to stay awhile. Opt for the three-seater design as is, or add the armless modular loveseat to turn it into a sectional.
4. APT2B Phantom Leather Sofa with Power Footrests
Sofa: H29 x W91 x D38" | Upholstery options: 4
Leather recliners are big news, but let's face it, they can be a little bit cumbersome, and not always in keeping with a super stylish interior. The Phantom leather sofa from APT2B aims to change that, with ingenious hidden powered footrests that can be extended at the touch of a button – without ruining the contemporary slimline design.
5. AllModern Jenifer 80'' Sofa
Sofa: H34.5 x W80 x D33" | Upholstery options: 2
One of the most affordable 'leather' sofas in our round-up, the Jenifer couch has a lower price tag because its upholstery is faux rather than the real thing, but that could be a plus point for animal lovers. Available in either a honey tan or a vintage grey look, the high-legged design comes with smart bolster cushions included.
6. Raymour & Flanigan Gray Hutchinson Leather Sofa
Sofa: H31 x W89 x D40.5" | Upholstery options: 2
A classic leather Chesterfield design, the three-seater Hutchinson sofa features a deeply tufted backrest and traditional rolled arms. You can opt for the dark gray colorway or a burnished mahogany that offers a rich patina, alongside a compact two-seater or curvaceous armchair to complete the look.
7. Burrow Block Nomad Leather Sofa
Sofa: H31 x W89 x D40.5" | Upholstery options: 2
Burrow brings its modular ethos to the leather sectional with this versatile option that allows you to build seating as large (or small) as you wish by adding or subtracting seating units. There are three shades of leather available – camel, slate, or chestnut – as well as five leg options and three styles of armrest that allow you to tailor the look to your home.
8. Raymour & Flanigan Harmony Leather Sofa
Sofa: H38.5 x W80.5 x D37.5" | Upholstery options: 2
This high-backed sofa with padded armrests offers plenty of support alongside a sleek design that will smarten up any living room suite. Team with the matching loveseat or leather recliner, all available in pale dove gray or statement black upholstery.
9. Crate + Barrel Barrett Leather Full Sleeper
Sofa: H30 x W70 x D36" | Upholstery options: 10
If you want your sofa to work a little harder than the average couch, then this leather sleeper makes a super-useful addition to a home, whether that's it's placed in the living room or home office. Put up overnight guests in comfort on the full-size 5.5" innerspring mattress, with no need to compromise on style choices thanks to the ten top-grain leather upholstery options.
10. APT2B Jude 2pc Leather Sectional Sofa
Sofa: H27 x W116 x D63" | Upholstery options: 3
Opting for a leather sectional with a chaise will ensure you have plenty of space to stretch out and get comfortable. Gently flared arms, knife-edge cushion tailoring, and high straight legs give this couch plenty of style credentials, whilst the generously padded seat and back cushions ensure optimum comfort.
11. Crate + Barrel Wells Leather Apartment Sofa
Sofa: H29 x W72 x D35.5" | Upholstery options: 6
Compact and contemporary, this leather sofa is big on style and small on footprint, making it perfect for apartment dwellers. There are also six great muted upholstery shades to choose from, including charcoal gray, a desaturated mid-tone green, and a nicely neutral stone colorway.
12. Birch Lane Adda 83.5'' Sofa
Sofa: H35 x W83.5 x D37" | Upholstery options: 4
This square-armed couch has timeless appeal and a look that will suit a wide range of interiors, whether that's contemporary or classic. There are four top-grain leather upholstery options to choose from, including a rich chocolate brown, camel, and charcoal gray.
How to choose a leather sofa
Size: It may sound obvious, but size is one of the most important aspects to consider before investing in any couch.
After all, it's easy to fall in love with one of the best sectional sofas in a spacious showroom, but if your living room is more petite than palatial it may make your lounge feel cramped and cluttered back home, so it's important to make sure you measure carefully to ensure your sofa will be in proportion to your room size.
A top tip is to measure out where the sofa will stand in your room using tape or newsprint to mark out all dimensions. As well as width, make sure to consider the height of the sofa – especially if you want to place it under a window sill or beneath existing architecture – and its depth to ensure there is plenty of space to walk around it comfortably.
And don't just measure the room where your sofa will (hopefully) end up, unless you want a stressful few hours come delivery day! Ensure your chosen sofa will fit through doorways, around bending hallways, or up flights of stairs. Most retailers list packaging dimensions on their sites, so ensure these match the access you have.
And if your access is tricky? Look for a modular or self-assembly sofa that can be more easily squeezed through tight spaces and configured within the destination room.
You'll find more top tips for planning your living space in our round-up of the best living room layout ideas, as well as style inspiration in our modern living room ideas and small living room ideas sections.
Cushion padding: The fill of your sofa will impact not only how comfortable your sofa is, but also the way it looks. Down fill, for example, is super soft and cozy, but the cushions will also lose their shape faster than a sofa with foam cushions. If you don't want an imprint left on your sofa every time you stand up, then down may not be the fill for you. Foam cushions, on the other hand, tend to be firmer, but will also hold their shape better than down. You'll also find foam-down hybrid cushions, which can be a happy medium.
In general, a leather sofa is likely to feel firmer than a fabric upholstered sofa to begin with because the material is so much thicker. However, over time the leather will wear in to give a softer seat along with a more distressed finish.
Frame support: If you're using a sofa to zone a room, then a low-to-the-ground model can offer a great way to create dedicated areas without breaking up the space too much, but, the flip side is that low seating can encourage you to sprawl more than sit, which, – depending on your back, and, let's face it, age – can make for a less comfortable seat.
Ergonomically, the recommended seating position is to have your thigh bones parallel to the floor, which for most of us means sofa seating that's a roundabout knee height when standing.
Opting for a sofa with enough back support is also going to make sitting more comfortable. Look for models that have a dedicated backrest, rather than sofas that offer a low back and then rely on the cushions to provide support.
Want more living room inspiration?
Find out how best to use your space in our guide to how to design a living room, or stay on top of the latest trends and easy decor updates on our dedicated living room ideas page. And if you're struggling with how to make the most of a compact lounge, then find top tricks and tricks in our guide to how to choose furniture for a small living room.
