Interior decor can take a nearly infinite variety of forms, varying by each homeowner’s personal tastes and budget. Some interior designs are trendy, with a minimalist, clean look with modern art accents. Others are based on color, such as lime green or navy, and some design themes are centered on a region of the country, such as brown and white color themes and Native American patterns in the southwest or farm imagery in the Midwest. For most homes, a pleasantly rustic countryside look can be achieved with reclaimed wood furniture and leather. A leather sofa can be a great investment not just for its looks, but the leather’s comfort and durability, and leather armchairs and other home furnishings have the same benefits. Rustic western furniture such as a rustic style sofa can make any home pop, and this theme doesn’t even have to be high maintenance. And even on its own, a leather sofa is a delight.
Leather Furniture and its Care
Leather is often touted as a luxurious, sometimes rare (when genuine) furniture material, and a leather sofa or armchair can be seen as an item unique to wealthier classes, often being pictured in a manor house or a smoking room. But this doesn’t have to be the case; a leather sofa can be not only affordable, but a price-friendly investment, even more so than fabric sofas, due to the nature of leather itself. The size of the industry speaks of leather’s desirability and practicality; it generates $53.2 USD every year, and leather can come in four varieties: genuine, bonded, top grain, and full grain. Tanning to make a leather sofa, horse saddle, and other goods goes a long way back: by 1750, there were over a thousand tanneries operating in the United States alone.
According to Better Homes and Gardens, there are some misconceptions about leather, and dispelling these myths shows that leather is not just a luxury statement, but also practical and easy to care for. For one thing, leather actually improves over age rather than wearing out like fabric does, and the material’s natural beauty increases over time and maintains its strength and quality over time. Both of these factors mean that leather is a great investment in the long term, and looks good the entire time. Children and pets, such as dogs, will probably not damage leather as easily as some homeowners might think, and as a precaution, an owner can buy a leather sofa or armchair that has an extra layer of protective finish on it.
Some may think that since a leather sofa is some luxury item made from organic materials, it needs a lot of maintenance, but leather needs only minimal care. Usually, applying conditioner every six to 12 months to the leather keeps it in good shape, and as long as spills are quickly cleaned up, the leather will last. Often, a soft rag to wipe up and absorb any spills is sufficient, at most, a soft rag or sponge will only need to be lightly moisturized with water. In fact, regular cleaning chemicals are actually bad for leather, such as soaps and detergents, abrasive cleaners, or furniture polish. In the event where a heavy stain is difficult to remove, the owner of a leather sofa can simply call in a leather expert to take care of things.
Rustic Looks
Leather is one major step to giving a room or house a charming countryside look. Furniture made with reclaimed wood can go a long way, from outdoor patio chairs to armchairs inside to coffee tables and even photograph frames. Often, this wood is sanded down and is painted white or other soft colors, and the possibilities are endless. Shelf corbels, fireplace mantles, dining tables, and doors can also have this country look, especially with accents like iron weather vanes, burlap, flannel, and dry grass wherever appropriate. A glass jar can act as a vase for sunflowers or other flora, and framed photos can show barns or a pasture surrounded by white wooden fences.