Is vegan leather suitable for a large sofa cover?

Vegan leather has come a long way since it was first introduced. First used as a fabric for high-quality clothing and accessories, it is now a great option for large sofa covers too. If you’re looking for a large sofa cover, this fabric could provide you with a stylish and robust upholstery for a piece of furniture that’s likely to see more action.

What is vegan leather?

Vegan leather, or faux leather as it’s sometimes called, is by definition a material that replicates the look and feel of leather but is made using zero animal products. It’s sometimes made from plastic polymers, a material that the eco-conscious might have concerns about. That being said, there are other, more sustainable substances that vegan leather can be made from, such as:

• Pineapple leaves
• Apple skins
• Recycled plastics
• Cork

With the impact on the environment reducing as faux leather production becomes increasingly innovative, there is still a lot more to be said about vegan leather sofas.

What you need to know about vegan leather

As we’ve mentioned, vegan leather is an excellent option for a large sofa cover. Aside from the obvious ethical reasons, there are multiple practical and aesthetic reasons why faux leather is a good choice of sofa fabric.

1. It has good durability

Those of you who own pets will be glad to hear this news. A quality vegan leather sofa cover can provide good resistance against scratches. In other hands, you can fully relax when the family Jack Russell jumps on to the settee with you. What’s more, faux leather’s durable nature means it does not crack easily or fade quickly. Once centre stage in your living room, it will remain a beacon of contemporary style for many years to come.

2. It can be mistaken for genuine leather

Faux leather has come a long way since when it was first introduced. What was once crude and rustic-looking is now at the same standard in terms of look and feel as actual leather. With a classy and stylish aesthetic, a vegan leather sofa in your living room makes a fashionable statement.

3. You can have a faux leather sofa in a vast array of colours

With the advancements in technology for vegan leather, the fabric now comes in a huge variety of colours. Whether that be a lemon yellow to brighten up your living room, or a plum purple to add an autumnal touch – faux leather sofas hold dye incredibly well so you are truly spoilt for choice when choosing a colour for your vegan leather sofa.

4. Resistant to UV rays

As much as we would like to, it is generally advised to not put a colourful leather couch in a conservatory or orangery, as the sunshine will likely cause it to fade. This is a different story however for vegan leather sofas. As vegan leather sofas are resistant to UV rays, you can choose any colour you want and put your sofa centre stage in the sunniest spot you have.

5. Easy to maintain and clean

By owning a vegan leather sofa, you can save yourself the extra cost of having a specialist leather cleaner to lift the stains and revive your leather sofa. Faux leather sofas can simply be cleaned by using nothing more than a damp cloth, so any red wine spills from those cosy nights infront of the fireplace won’t be any hassle to get rid of.

What to keep in mind before you buy…

• Although faux leather has excellent durability, it’s not resistant to wear and tear in the same way 100% cotton sofa covers are. Once cracks start to show then it’s time to replace it
• The majority of vegan leather has a plastic coating which makes the material less breathable and they might not be washable sofa covers
• Genuine leather sofas develop a lustre or patina over time which adds to a rustic look. Unfortunately vegan leather sofas don’t ‘age well’ in this way

Alternative fabrics suitable for large sofa covers

We have hundreds of fabrics suitable for large sofa covers, which are durable, washable and stylish. They range from 100% cotton to cotton rich blends – like Luxury Cotton Weave – Oxford Blue. We even make velvet and eco velvet large sofa covers for a 3 or 4 seater family sofa that gets a lot of use – like this gorgeous Eco Velvet Coral.

Order your free fabric samples

If you’d like to see how our large sofa covers look and feel first hand, you can order a free sample pack through our website, which we deliver right to your door! And if you’re looking for any in-depth advice or extra information, our in-house furniture specialists are here to help.

We’re a family business with more than 60 years of experience, so we’re always happy to use our decades of expertise to help you select the perfect fitted sofa cover for your interiors.