The 4 Different Types Of Leather You Should Know

No individual leather is best for every situation or design preference. Below are some facts regarding the various types of leather used in furniture manufacturing that will be helpful to you, the consumer.Before you purchase that piece of high quality leather furniture you need to know the four types of leather and the differences between them. Whether the leather be Nubuck, Full Aniline, Semi-Aniline or Distressed leather it ultimately comes down to which leather suits the situation best.Here are very basic descriptions of the four types of leather.
By knowing which leather fits certain situations best and the maintenance involved with each type of leather you can make the best decision before you purchase.

Nubuck Leather is also commonly referred to as "brushed" leather. Nubuck leather is very much like suede in feel but Nubuck is thicker and stronger. Nubuck leather is very resilient to wear but not at all resilient to stains. Making this type of leather a poor choice for high use every day living areas.


Full Aniline Leather, sometimes the term "naked" leather is used when referring to this type of leather. This leather comes from only high quality hides that produce an extremely soft and delicate leather. Full Aniline leather undergoes the least amount of processing allowing it to breath, making it very comfortable in all temperatures. Full Aniline Leather is very vulnerable to discoloration from direct sunlight


Distressed Leather is also known as "waxed" leather. The reason for the name is because of the use of waxes to create an antique, rustic, well used look. The waxes used also contribute to the leather aging well after years of use. Distressed "waxed" Leather is best for many years of heavy usage and requires very little maintenance.


Semi-Aniline Leather is primarily the same as Aniline Leather except for the difference of being treated with a protective coating. This allows for stain protection and better consistency of color. This form of leather is best for furniture that is going to be heavily used. This leather also requires the least amount of maintenance and care.