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Leather Quality Pyramid


It's a common misconception that the only types of leather are "real" and "fake". Even leather that's real cowhide can vary in quality and durability, making leather blends and faux leather a better choice for some households. See the quality pyramid to learn more about different types of leather, and help choose the type of leather that works for your furniture.

Grain Leather
Leather Match
Bicast or Bonded Leather

Grain Leather
Most Durable, Uses the Most of the Cowhide

Lingo to Look For: Full Grain, Top Grain, Aniline Leather, 100% Leather


Pros

  • It's 100% cowhide, so it has the texture and aroma of natural leather
  • It's durable and mostly scratch resistant
  • Can be repaired and refinished
  • Develops a worn, burnished look, or patina, with use

Cons

  • Natural markings like scars and wrinkles are hallmarks of real cowhide. These surface variations are not considered defects, but they may not appeal to everyone
  • Durability and stain resistance varies with type of finish
Top Grain Leather Sofa

Did You Know That the Leather Finish Can Affect its Feel and Durability?

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Full Aniline Leather has the most natural, luxurious feel but it stains and scratches the easiest

photo2

Semi Aniline Leather Retains some of the natural feel of full aniline with a light, protective topcoat

photo3

Finished or Pigmented Leather Is buffed and coated to remove imperfections, making it the most durable and cleanable 100% leather option

Shop Grain Leather

Leather Match
Durable in Some Places, Uses Part Cowhide and Part Vinyl

Lingo to Look For: Leather Match, Leather/Vinyl


Pros

  • Cheaper than 100% leather
  • A leather match sofa looks and feels like a full-leather sofa. They're almost indistinguishable

Cons

  • Vinyl parts scratch and tear more easily than leather
Leather Match Diagram

Leather Match Consists of Grain Leather Where Your Body Touches, Plus Color-Matched Vinyl on the Low Traffic Areas of the Furniture

Leather Match Recliner

Voila! The Finished Product! It Looks Exactly Like 100% Leather, You Can Hardly Tell the Difference

Shop Leather Match

Bonded Leather
Least Longevity, Only Uses a Small Percentage of Actual Cowhide

Lingo to Look For: Bonded Leather, Bicast Leather, Recycled Leather, Branded names like Durablend and NuvoLeather


Pros

  • Most affordable leather option
  • A good option for a leather sofa if you don't need to keep your furniture for more then a couple years

Cons

  • Doesn't last
  • The bonded leather finish can peel or crack with use
  • Bonded leather cannot be repaired like 100% leather
Bonded Leather Diagram

This Man Made Material is Backed with a Layer of Shredded Leather, But Your Body Never Actually Touches The Leather Part. Because the Layers Can Be Slightly Different Color, When the Finish Wears Off Bonded Leather Your Furniture Can Show Discolored Patches

Shop Bonded Leather

Leather FAQs

What is faux leather? Faux leather can also be called artificial leather, meaning that it looks like leather, but doesn't have any percentage of cowhide in it.

Is faux leather cheap or bad quality? There are a lot more alternatives for 100% leather than there used to be, and they vary in look and durability as much as the different varieties of 100% leather. A cover made entirely of vinyl will eventually crack and peel and is generally the lowest in price and durability. Modern blends of fibers like polyurethane and polyester are used to create Performance Fabrics that mimic the look of leather and give your furniture a high level of durability and cleanability that's more affordable than true leather.

Does real leather stain easily? Nowadays, due to the leather tanning process, leather doesn't damage as easily from bodily oils. Most leather finishes (except the most high end, natural leathers) are safe from the oils in your skin and hair.

Is it difficult to maintain? While generally easy to maintain, Leather can be damaged (much like fabric) by ink and oil-based stains. Most dirt and stains can be cleaned fairly easily from leather, but watch out for greasy lotions, cooking oils, motor oil etc. See store for more information about how to clean mild and harsh stains from your leather.

Is leather furniture suitable for pet owners? 100% Leather is the most durable of all upholstery materials, but it's not invincible. It doesn't stand up well to being clawed, chewed, or urinated on by the family pet. Generally, 100% leather is easier for pet owners to clean and maintain, since it does not attract or absorb pet hair like fabric. But a word of caution for pet owners: If you have your heart set on a high quality leather sofa but you're not sure if you can keep the dog or cat from tearing the leather, look into investing in a protective cover for your sofa that's designed specifically for pet owners. Bonded leathers are not ideal for pet owners. A sofa cover is especially necessary for a bonded leather sofa.

Are cows really killed to make leather furniture? No! Leather is a by-product of the beef industry, cows are not raised specifically for their hides.

Still Have Questions? Ask Us!
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Return Policy: In-stock furniture items and any Ashley products may be returned for a refund of the merchandise total within 30 days of delivery. Customer is responsible for any costs associated with shipping the item back to our distribution center. We will pick up merchandise that is located locally for a modest fee of $249. Return credits are issued within 24 hours once the item is received and inspected. Shipping and delivery charges are non-refundable. Items must be in new condition and in the original packaging to qualify for a refund (please do not modify product in any way.) If package arrives damaged, or with parts missing, please notify us within 24 hours. We are happy to send replacement parts as soon as possible. Made-to-order merchandise (items with custom fabrics, configurations, finishes, etc) may not be returned or cancelled. See Mattress Comfort Guarantee for separate mattress return policy. Easy return policy excludes clearance items.

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*The Dunk & Bright credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. Minimum monthly payments are required during the promotional (special terms) period. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at the APR for Purchases if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period. Paying only the minimum monthly payment will not pay off the purchase balance before the end of the promotional period. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 06/01/2025 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 12/222025.

  • **The Dunk & Bright credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 06/01/2025 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 12/22/2025.

***The Dunk & Bright credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR of 8.99% will apply to the qualifying purchase, and 60 monthly payments equal to 2.0888% of the original special terms balance are required. The advertised terms are an estimate assuming required monthly payments are made on the payment due date; no other balances are currently carried or will be carried on the account; and no additional charges are or will be added to the account. Because your actual account activity may be different than the assumptions used, or because of rounding, the number of payments or the final payment amount could be different than the advertised terms. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 06/01/2025 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 12/22/2025.

  • *Percentage Savings are compared to competitor pricing, SAVE Coupons excludes Ashley/Benchcraft, Clearance, and Beautyrest Black merchandise, and financing terms longer than 12 months. We reserve the right to discontinue or alter the terms of this offer any time. All offers valid through 12/22/2025. Layaway orders hold price for 6 months with 10% down. Quotes without payment communicate pricing at the time quote is created. Dunk & Bright finalizes pricing when payment is received. Pricing on quote orders may change. Next Day Delivery on Mattress applies to In-Stock Mattresses over $499 sold before 12pm.

Dunk & Bright Furniture features an excellent selection of furniture including sofas, sectionals, recliners, leather furniture, chairs, beds, dressers, nightstands, dining tables, dining chairs, kitchen storage, entertainment furniture, office furniture, mattresses, accessories and more. Dunk & Bright Furniture offers great quality furniture, at a low price to the Syracuse, North Syracuse, East Syracuse, Jamesville, Liverpool, Fairmount, Fulton, Oswego, Tully, Cortland, Ithaca, Oswego, Manlius, Baldwinsville, Auburn, Utica, Rochester, Victor, Greece, Henrietta, Skaneateles, Binghamton, Johnson City, Vestal, Watertown, Pulaski, New York area, Utica.
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