What's the difference between real, faux and bonded leather?

Real (genuine) leather is animal hide, split into top-grain (best) or split-grain (cheaper, peels over time). Faux leather is polyurethane or PVC on a fabric backing, no hide. Bonded leather is leather offcuts ground and glued onto a backing; sold as leather but starts flaking inside 3 to 5 years. Look for full-grain or top-grain on the label for the long-term option.

How do you clean and care for a leather armchair?

Wipe weekly with a dry microfibre cloth to lift dust from the grain. Every 6 months apply a small amount of leather conditioner (Furniture Clinic, Lord Sheraton and similar brands cost £8 to £20) using circular motions, leave 30 minutes, buff off. Skip household cleaners and baby wipes; both strip the protective finish.

How long does a leather armchair last?

A solid hardwood frame with full-grain leather upholstery, kept conditioned, lasts 20 to 30 years and develops the patina people pay for. Bonded leather over particleboard typically reaches year 5 before visible failure. The price split tracks the lifespan: £200 to £500 chairs are the short-term tier, £900-plus is where structural longevity starts.

Can a leather armchair be reconditioned if it cracks or fades?

Yes, if it's real top-grain leather. Cracking comes from dry hide; a deep conditioning treatment can rehydrate it. Surface fading can be re-dyed with a leather repair kit (£25 to £60). Bonded and faux leather cannot be repaired meaningfully; both delaminate from the backing rather than crack at the surface.

Are leather armchairs comfortable in summer?

Real leather feels cool on first contact and warms with body heat; in a hot UK summer (28C-plus) it can feel sticky after 30 minutes. Faux leather runs hotter still, because the plastic surface does not breathe. A throw or sheepskin in summer solves it for most people. Leather is a better year-round material in centrally heated rooms than fabric.