Genuine leather furniture is versatile, stylish, and made to last, which is why it's a staple in any home. Leather is also treated to take on different colors or finishes to add to the style, durability, and overall appearance of furniture pieces. Keep reading to compare suede vs. leather as a furniture material to determine the best option for your budget, aesthetic, durability, and comfort needs.

What Is Suede?
What Is Genuine Leather?
Suede vs. Leather

What Is Suede?

When comparing suede vs. leather, it's important to note that suede is actually a type of genuine leather!

What Is Suede Made Out of?

Suede leather is made from the innermost layer of animal hide and accessed by splitting the top-most layers of the hide apart to reach the underside of the hide. This is why suede is also referred to as a type of "split-grain" leather.

What Does Suede Look Like?

Suede has a textured, velvety appearance because the innermost layer of the animal hide also includes a fibrous corium layer. This contributes to its fuzzy, soft texture. Our guide, Furniture 101: Your Guide to Leather Types for Furniture, goes over suede leather and how it compares to other forms of leather in more detail.

Tip!

Because suede is a type of genuine leather, suede furniture is placed in the same category as genuine leather options.

What Is Genuine Leather?

Genuine leather is a furniture upholstery material made from layers of animal hide (usually cowhide or sheepskin).

What Is Genuine Leather Made Out of?

Genuine leather is made using layers of animal hide, which can be categorized into three different grades – full-grain, top-grain, and suede. Although suede is a type of genuine leather, the term ''genuine leather" is more commonly used to describe the harder, outermost layers of the hide (full-grain and top-grain). For context, full-grain leather is the most durable, and is made up of the two outermost layers of animal hide. Top-grain leather is the next best type of genuine leather. It is made solely from the top-most outer layer of the hide and delivers similar durability, while being more budget-friendly than full-grain options. Review, Furniture 101: Your Guide to Leather Types for Furniture to familiarize yourself with full-grain and top-grain leather and to compare genuine leather to leather alternatives.

What Does Genuine Leather Look Like?

Genuine leather has a smooth, shiny appearance and showcases the unique pattern of an individual animal hide. This is because it's made using the outermost layers of the hide, which are meant to be more dense (protective) and smooth compared to the innermost layers.

Suede vs. Leather

From comfort and style to price point and durability, this section compares suede and leather so you can determine the best upholstery option for chairs, sofas, bed frames, and other household furnishings.

Appearance & Feel

When deciding between suede or leather for furniture upholstery, it all comes down to which one suits your style and comfort preferences. The most notable difference between suede and leather is how each looks and feels. Suede leather has a naturally fuzzy – almost velvet-like – appearance and it feels soft to the touch because it's made from the innermost fibrous layers of the hide. In contrast, standard genuine leather (like top-grain and full-grain) is made out of the dense outermost layers of the hide, which gives it a smooth, glossy look with a pattern that's unique to each individual hide. It also has a smooth feel and is cool to the touch.

Budget

In terms of budget, suede is usually considered more budget-friendly. This is because it's made from the innermost layer of the hide and therefore isn't as durable. Suede is also less expensive because it doesn't require as many treatments compared to standard leather products. Furniture made with genuine leather upholstery is made with the quality, outermost layers of the hide, which can increase the price while also enhancing durability. However, it is important to note that the type of furniture and the tanning process used by the manufacturer can also impact the price point of both suede and leather products.

Durability

In terms of durability, genuine leather made with full-grain and top-grain leather is going to be more durable and long-lasting compared to suede leather. The outermost layers of the hide are naturally more dense and strong in order to protect the animal, so leather made with these layers is going to be top-notch. Suede is made with the more flexible, inner layers of the hide, which can cause it to wear out faster when used as a furniture material.

• Both suede and leather are prone to scratches, but leather is more scratch-resistant because it's naturally thicker and denser.
• Leather is more water- and stain-resistant compared to suede, which is naturally more porous.
• The tanning process can also impact the overall durability of leather and suede products and helps make them less prone to stains, scratches, and fading.

Cleaning & Care Needs

Because suede has a fuzzy, textured surface, the best way to clean it and get rid of dust or dirt is by brushing it with a nylon brush or by using a furniture-safe vacuum attachment. For leather furniture, you only need a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt, or liquids. Then go back over with a dry cloth. Reference How to Clean a Suede Couch (Without Ruining It) and Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Leather Sofa to compare their cleaning requirements and care levels.

Hypoallergenic Properties

You'll be happy to know that suede and leather are both naturally hypoallergenic! This means they won't trap allergens like dust mites, dander, and pollen. Although suede is naturally fuzzy, its fibers are too thin for dust mites and other allergens to settle or get trapped. Standard leather is too smooth and impenetrable for allergens to settle.

Tip!

Now that we've compared leather vs. suede, discover How to Style a Brown Leather Sofa, or review our guides on What Is Faux Leather? and What Is Leather Match? to learn more about alternatives to genuine leather.

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