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I love using leather when styling my home because it adds warmth and a luxurious look to any space. I also find that incorporating leather upholstery is a great way to pull a room together, balancing a masculine and feminine feel.
However, people are often nervous about using leather products in their homes. I’m here to tell you that with the proper care and a good leather cleaner, it’s possible to have your beloved leather pieces looking great for a long time.
Why I Love Leather
First, I think the best thing about leather is that it’s like a chameleon – it can be country, mid-century modern, contemporary, traditional – anything you want! Adding it to a room almost always complements any interior design style.
The trade-off is that buying real leather is typically a financial investment and you’ll be spending more for new furniture than you would another fabric. However, unlike fabric upholstery, your leather is going to keep getting better over time!
With regular use, a natural patina will develop. This is that luxurious “lived in” look you see on leather couches, or a vintage leather jacket. It comes from natural oils left behind and just plain regular use. So, the good news is that with time and regular maintenance, your furniture will age like fine wine and cheese (that’s what we all want, right?!).
It’s important to note leather’s durability. Leather products get treated in a way that makes them somewhat liquid-resistant. This means if you catch it quickly, it should be pretty easy to clean spills on your furniture. This almost “wipeable” feature means that leather couches are a great way to bring elevated style to a home with kids and pets, too!
Your Weekly Leather Furniture Care
I like to make it my goal to keep up with regular dusting around the house, and this includes our leather pieces. Using a microfiber cloth, I go over my leather bench and chair to keep the surfaces looking shiny and dust-free. If I come across crumbs or loose dirt, I grab my vacuum, remove the cushions, and get those right up, too! If you have a soft brush attachment for your vacuum, this would be best!
As I’m doing my weekly wipe-down, I check for any stains. Now don’t forget, accidents are inevitable and your leather will recover! If I come across stubborn stains, I get a damp cloth with warm water, and dab the area lightly. Remember, never use cleaning products with harsh chemicals on your leather! Then, I use a dry cloth to buff the area out with a circular motion.
Your Monthly Leather Furniture Care
I highly recommend that each month, you condition your leather furniture. This prevents it from getting too dry, or cracking! Otter Wax was recommended when I bought my leather chair and bench. So, that’s what I use and I have not had any complaints!
Otterwax is a natural product that works on any type of leather. You can use this leather oil as needed, but it’s suggested to use about once a month so that you can restore the leather’s shine and original color.
When I first tried it out, I was super nervous because it did make the leather a bit darker. However, this is totally normal and it will dry a-okay! 
When it’s time to condition, the first step is to shake the bottle well and put some on a clean microfiber cloth. If it’s the first time you’re trying out a product on your piece of furniture, it’s a good idea to start with a spot test. Choose a small, inconspicuous area on your furniture to test it out.
Here’s the difference in coloring right when I applied it. Just apply a light coat all over your piece of leather furniture, let it dry, and then buff it in a circular motion with another clean cloth. The result will be shiny and well-moisturized leather!
The Leather Furniture We Have and Love
This chair was such a great buy! It’s from Article, but is sadly no longer sold. When Finn and I are just lounging around and talking, he’ll snag a spot on our couch and I cozy up in the chair. I’m really happy we added a chair here because it makes the layout more conversational.
We get a lot of direct sunlight in our condo, so I was initially worried about this piece fading. Luckily, the color is still that gorgeous cognac, and I’m not worried about keeping my blinds open all day long.
The other leather piece we have is the bench that sits at the end of our bed (again from Article and discontinued). While it doesn’t get the regular use that my chair does (I mostly use it when I’m putting on my shoes), it certainly looks great! I like the contrast of fabric and color next to my bed. With the sheepskin throw on top, it just looks so inviting!
The Leather Pieces I’m Loving Right Now
Unfortunately, my leather chair and bench have since been retired by Article. But, not to worry because there are SO many other stunning pieces of leather furniture out there! I especially like the idea of upgrading the beanbags in a kids’ space, to a more modern leather beanbag!
From top to bottom, left to right: Italian Tanned Leather Couch // Woven Leather Ottoman // Hadler Leather Lounge Chair // Leather Bench // Teak and Leather Accent Chair // A Modern Beanbag Chair
The best thing about leather is that each piece is different. It’s already perfectly imperfect and any additional scratch or ding will just add to the beautiful, natural patina that comes with use and age (just like humans!). So, don’t be afraid to live your life and do your thing with your leather upholstery. Treat your leather with care, and it will return the favor for a long time!
These are the care and cleaning methods that I’ve been using on a regular basis; but I’d love to hear what works for you!
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