Benefits of Faux Leather (Synthetic Hyde) Chairs
The benefits of faux leather have created a steady shift in demand away from real leather furniture. As a result, the level of quality faux leather available has elevated drastically. Long gone are the shiny plastic-looking fake leather furniture of previous decades. Today you’ll find options for faux leather chairs, couches, rugs, zero gravity chairs, and even tables.
The appeal comes from numerous factors, not the least of which include improved sustainability, ethical production, and fabric variations available. Let’s take a look at the benefits of faux leather chairs and other furniture.
What is Faux Leather?
Before we hop into the benefits of faux leather, however, let’s first answer this: what is faux leather? Generally, there are two types of faux leather (also referred to as vegan synthetic hide): polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). As the industry continues to expand, new materials are being processed to make faux leather fabrics. There are a few companies even starting to make faux leather from fruit! Until those alternative methods become widespread, however, the two primary forms reign supreme.
Polyurethane (PU) faux leather is made by coating a base fabric (usually cotton or polyester) with a flexible polymer that is then treated with waxes, dyes, and chemicals to make it look and feel like real animal hide. There are fewer layers that make up PU faux leather, making it more breathable and pliable. It can even wrinkle like real leather.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) faux leather is created synthetic fabric backing then topped with chemical layers and plasticizers that seal the fabric. It doesn’t breathe as well as PU faux leather but is extremely durable. PVC is often less expensive than PU leather and isn’t as environmentally friendly.
Benefits of Faux Leather vs Real Leather
Now you know what faux leather is, what are the benefits of faux leather vs real leather? You might be most concerned with the look and feel of faux leather chairs. Rest assured high end furniture creators using faux leather are providing fabrics indiscernible from real leather without viewing the back of the fabric for its base. From regular chairs to zero gravity chairs, luxury is meeting the call to high quality faux leather alternatives head on. Some of the benefits of faux leather chairs and other furniture include:
- Affordability
- More sustainable and cruelty-free
- Durability
- More Fabric Style Options
- Same look and feel of real leather
Faux Leather Chairs Are More Affordable
One of the most noticeable benefits of faux leather vs real leather chairs is the price tag. While high quality furniture will still come at a price, having a faux leather chair can noticeably reduce the price as compared to a real leather one. The cost savings come in the reduced cost of producing faux leather.
Faux Leather is a More Sustainable and Cruelty-Free Leather Alternative
Perhaps the biggest draw for many is that faux leather chairs are more sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives to real leather furniture. From an eco-friendly standpoint, synthetic materials are more readily producible. Those using natural fibers like cotton as a backing reduce the carbon footprint required for tanning hide and even raising the cattle in the first place.
As a cruelty-free leather alternative, faux leather also distances itself from the controversial leather industry. Closely tied to the meat industry, real leather comes from animals that have to be killed. The treatment in such facilities is widely criticized as inhumane. Faux leather provides the same look and feel without the guilt.
Durability of Faux Leather Chairs
While it may not last quite as long as well-maintained real leather furniture pieces, faux leather chairs are still very durable and will last for a long time. Its production means it is pliable, comfortable, and won’t dry up or crack like traditional leather can. An easy gentle weekly cleaning will keep your faux leather chair in top shape for many years.
Variations of Faux Leather Available
Being a synthetic material brings us to the next benefit of faux leather chairs on our list: variation. Variety is the spice of life, isn’t it? Since faux leather is created, the options for colors, patterns, and designs are endless. This gives furniture shoppers another reason to turn to faux leather chairs. Whether you want a fabric to look like real leather or you’re seeking a wild color, the options are endless and you’ll find something to suit your style!
Same High Quality Look and Feel of Real Leather
Last, though certainly not least, on our list of the benefits of faux leather chairs is that high quality synthetic hide gives the same look and feel of real leather. When you purchase a high quality zero gravity chair, lounge chair, or couch upholstered in faux leather you’ll be hard pressed to tell the difference. You may even fool visitors! The advancements in synthetic hide furniture have come a long way. While the durability makes faux leather less maintenance-heavy, it is still able to wrinkle and stain like real leather. So while you recline in your faux leather zero gravity chair, make sure you still try not to spill!
Demand for faux leather alternatives for furniture and home decor has resulted in the synthetic hide options available today. Given the benefits of faux leather, we suspect this trend will continue to rise and increase in sustainability and prevalence. Looking to join the change? Check out this vegan faux leather zero gravity chair and enjoy pure relaxation while knowing you’ve contributed to making a difference.
Looking for other leather furniture alternative ideas? Check out our guide to 5 alternatives for leather furniture and decor!
