15 Timeless Leather Sofas That Offer Both Comfort and Class

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The most important piece furniture you own is probably your couch. Besides a mattress, it's where you'll spend most of your time when you're hanging out at home. It's definitely where you'll spend most of your waking hours—when you happen to be watching TV, or projecting it. If you're in a big city shoebox apartment, the couch is your dining table. It's occasionally your bed. It's where you answer calls while working from home. It's where you chill out and play video games or crack open a new book over the weekend.

What we're trying to say here is that you need a nice couch. You shouldn't have a sofa that's just ok. If you've got space for a big, comfy sectional, that qualifies as nice. If you're at a futon budget, that can be OK too. Maybe you want it to recline or be an outdoor sofa. But what we're offering today is the ultimate in luxury fabric: leather.

But since leather sofas, like everything else, are made to be dime a dozen these days, we did the digging for you. We did the lounging and sleeping. We did the home testing and reviewing. We did the leather quality control. What we ended up with is this list of the 15 best leather sofas money can buy.

Nomad Leather Sofa

The OGs of the online couch shopping experience. It's easy to joke about Burrow's basic looks, but the couches are actually great. We've awarded the brand multiple times, and this couch is one of its best offerings. The shape is simple. The cushions are the right amount of firm. In real life, the top grain Italian leather looks phenomenal. The Nomad in any of the leather options is a classic look that works for any home.

Strato 80-Inch Leather Sofa

Leather looks good in simple, classic shapes, but we really love when it's done up fun and funky. This Strato sofa from CB2, designed by Mermelada Estudio, is the perfect middle ground.

The sharp rectangular shape is clean and geometric, which gives the sofa a modern look. But the physical block-ness of the sofa means it commands the eye of a room. The vertical stitching mimics the shape of sitting on the couch, which has an oddly inviting effect. In person, it's our favorite to look at.

Add to that some of the best top-grain leather on this list—as well as a walnut base that makes it feel more organic—and you've got the perfect contemporary take on an Italian modern sofa.

Novato Leather Sofa

When it comes to our favorite sofas, Arhaus is always near the top. The leather sofa category is no different, as the brand has a handful of top models. Our favorite, though, is the Novato line.

It's mid-century in the ways that everyone loves—easy shape to sit on, easy shape to look at, easy shape to incorporate. That said, it looks distinctly different from the millions of mid-century-inspired sofas you can find at Target. This one is luxury. The leather is of a beautiful quality, with all the natural imperfections we love. The wood plank frame lifts this sofa off the ground to make your space feel more open, but it also serves as a beautiful addition to the design. Add to that armrests that are the perfect height to balance lounging and proper sitting, and you've got a winner. We love this sofa, and you will too.

Axel Leather Sofa

This West Elm couch is a bestseller for more reasons than one. First, this couch can be completely customized to your liking. You can choose the width (the option are 60", 76", and 89") as well as the leather color (there are 12 different hues), both of which allow you to be as creative as you please. Plus, it has a hard-wood frame that makes this piece sturdy and durable.

What we liked, though, is that this couch is firm. (On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the firmest, this is about a 4), It doesn't sag or squish over time, so the cushions are able to last as long as the leather. The bottom line is that this couch is great for any sophisticated space.

Chesterfield Sofa in Mahogany

It feels weird to say, but our favorite chesterfield sofa is actually this one you can buy on Amazon. This Bowery Hill chesterfield hits all the classic style notes with those rolled arms, deep tufting, and nail head trim. It's a reading den or cigar cave look, but we really like it in certain scenarios. And, in spite of the retailer you're buying it from, we've found it to be an incredibly well made, sturdy sofa. If you're into a classic look, this should be the sofa you get.

Enzo Leather Reclining Sofa

You know what? There's no shame in getting a reclining couch. This luxe recliner from West Elm is stylish, comfortable, and modern. You can lean back with the push of a button, meaning lazy days just got a whole better. On top of that, you can choose between four different leather finishes (black Ludlow leather, gray smoke Ludlow leather, navy Ludlow leather, and nut saddle leather), which lets you pick the perfect hue for your space.

Not to mention, this couch also has some pretty cool features, including armrests with hidden storage spaces (for remotes, books, magazines, and more) as well as a built-in USB port, which means you don't even have to get up if you need to charge your phone. In practice, it's the most practical sofa we've ever found. It's great for anyone that's going to be spending a lot of time with their couch.

Lounge Deep Leather Sofa

This Crate and Barrel sofa gives you some of the best quality leather on this list. Complete with deep seats and super-soft back cushions, this couch is ideal for anyone who likes to kick back and relax. Plus, it has two different seat depth options (41" or 46") as well as four different size options (73", 83", 93", 105") and a few different leather finishes.

The leather on this sofa really is the standout, though. It's made from full-grain leather, which is the highest-quality and most durable grain you're going to find. It looks phenomenal, and it'll last longer than anything else out there.

Combination 009

A lot of sofas from highly acclaimed designers are way too conceptual and not at all practical. Mario Bellini's classic is one of the exceptions. It looks like it belongs in a gallery—with a price tag to match—but it's also just an insanely comfortable sofa.

This replica is done up in this vintage leather from Eternity Modern, it's a seriously luxe place to lounge, and it's a real conversation piece. Unless you have $20,000 to shell out for an original, this is the best you're going to find.

The only downside is that Eternity Modern doesn't list its leather grain on the two available leathers for this sofa. We've seen it in person, so we can guarantee it's good leather. But, if you care about getting top-grain or full-grain leather, you'll have to special order.

Modular Recycled Leather Sofa

Modular is the big trend in sofas, at the moment. Every sofa can be configured in a million different ways, and you can buy pieces to suit your specific space. We really love this one from Urban Outfitters, in the L-shaped orientation shown.

The leather is recycled, which means it is going to be a bonded leather. It's still of good quality, and it will last a long time. All this is reflected in the price which isn't dirt cheap, but not as expensive as you'd expect from a brand like Urban Outfitters.

Turner Square-Arm Leather Sofa

If you want a leather couch that you can sink into, look no further than this Pottery Barn classic. You can customize this couch to your liking by selecting the right size for your space (it comes in five different widths) as well as the leather finish you want (there are over 40 different options!) and how many seats you want (two or three). Plus, this couch has plush, cozy seats that are filled with down feathers and no-sag steel sinuous springs that provide cushion support. On top of that, this sofa has a timeless construction that'll complement any room in the house.

Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa

If you have a movie room that's begging to be used, all you need is this extra-large sofa. It features deep seats, plush cushions, and top-grain leather that's buttery smooth. The overall cushion comfort leans more towards soft than firm, which means you can sink into this couch with ease. Plus, it comes in two different leather finishes (caramel and warm taupe) and you can choose to add an ottoman if you so please.

What we love about this sofa is how easy it is to put together, a rarity in the furniture-in-a-box world. Once you have it assembled, the top-grain leather and firm cushions are a dream, the perfect place to curl up with a book or movie.

Axis Leather 3-Seat Queen Sleeper Sofa

This two-in-one couch is the ultimate piece for any room in the house. First, this exclusive Crate and Barrel sofa is offered in 10 different leather finishes, which means you can find the perfect shade for your space. Second, it easily pulls out into a roomy bed that up to three people (or four small children) can comfortably snooze in. On top of that, the cushions are firm enough that they won't sag over time, yet soft enough that they're cozy to sit on.

According to one reviewer, "I bought this couch a year ago and it still looks new despite three little kids. It is easy to clean and very comfortable. I rotate the seat pillows every few months to make sure they get equal wear. Very happy with this purchase."

Sheldrake Leather Loveseat

Upgrade your small living space with this chic piece. While it's categorized as a 'loveseat,' it offers just as much room to sit as a traditional small couch. On top of that, it features gorgeous genuine leather upholstery that gives it a natural aesthetic. It's built with a solid pine wood frame that's robust and strong, meaning it won't slip and slide on the floor. Additionally, the cushions are filled with foam and supported by coil springs and pocket springs to prevent sagging over time.

Park Sectional Sofa

If you want a sleek, minimalistic sofa that's made with vegan leather to accompany your space, you can't go wrong with this fan-favorite from Albany Park. It features a gorgeous mid-century modern design that effortlessly adapts to any space. Each cushion is filled with plush feathers that are wrapped with foam, making this couch comfortable enough to sink into without being too squishy. On top of that, the distressed vegan leather material is soft, buttery, and too nice to pass up.

According to one reviewer, "I love this sofa. The leather mid-century modern look was exactly what I was looking for. I love the supportive, firm cushions (comfy and cozy without trapping you). I get tons of compliments on it whenever friends come over."

Convertible Sectional Sofa

If you want a leather couch, but don't necessarily have the funds, that's OK. You can opt for a vegan leather couch from Amazon that looks just as nice as the real deal. This affordable option comes in two colors (espresso brown and black) and is incredibly easy to assemble. On top of that, it has firm cushions that don't wear over time. Plus, the cushions are made of strong springs and a high-density sponge that makes this piece durable yet also comfortable and supportive.

How We Chose Best Leather Sofas, and FAQs

Don't just trust our picks, take a look at the grading criteria.

Leather Quality - See a full breakdown below, but we will always prioritize higher-quality leathers. Then within each grain and category, we see these sofas in real life to determine the true look of the leather.

Durability - This isn't as big a factor with leather sofas as it is with upholstered ones. Leather, no matter its grain, is going to last longer than fabric. It's an exceptionally tough material. Still, there are variations we take into account, like the materials used in the frame of the sofa.

Looks - Do we want modern, traditional, or something in between? Case by case.

Ease of Assembly - No assembly with a white glove service is best, but it 2024 we have to make some concessions here.

What Type of Leather is Best?

How much time do you have? We can get really nerdy on this, but here is a rundown in order of highest to lowest quality.

Full Grain Leather - This is outermost portion of a hide that has been tanned. Full grain leather is used when the surface of a hide is in good condition—no scars or brand marks. That means it has the most true-to-the-animal look. Full grain leather also doesn't get split from other layers, so it's the thickest and most durable grain you'll get. All this makes it the most expensive grain you'll find, so it's typically used on more specialty goods like cowboy boots, bags, and saddles. Using full grain leather in furniture only happens occasionally.

Top Grain Leather - When we're talking about the best leather sofas, we expect top grain leather. For top grain leather, the blemished outermost portion of leather is split. The new surface is then sanded and treated and stained to create a uniform look. Top grain leather is used in handbags, jackets, and couches because you don't need to worry about imperfections in the hide, and you get more use out of a single hide.

Genuine Leather - This is going to be the most common option for furniture. Genuine leather (also called split leather) is a blanket term for the stuff after the top grain is split off. The texture is tougher and the leather requires more staining to get that natural look. But it is, of course, more affordable.

Bonded Leather - Bonded leather is the lowest, least natural of what you'll find. It's made up of leather scraps of various recycled leathers. It gets bonded with polyurethane and returned to a sheet-like format. There's not any real percentage requirements here, so you could theoretically be buying "leather" but have a mostly plastic material.

Why Trust Esquire?

Because we are the go-to source for luxury furniture recommendations. No one tests as many furniture brands as we do. No one tests as many sofas as we do. No one comes close to us in mattress testing. For luxury furniture—especially if you're a man in search of some direction—we are the only voice you need to listen to.

More practically, we hit the showrooms and we talk with brands. We've tried a bunch of these sofas in our homes. We've got good taste, and we know which materials and constructions are made to last the longest. We are your on-call Internet decorators.

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