What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of red leather theater seats

Leather and Leather-Style Options for Home Theater Seating

There are many things to think about when you’re creating a home movie theater room. Between the long list of measurements you need to coordinate, and figuring out the ideal audiovisual and seating layout, you might think picking the home theater furniture itself is just a given. But not so; there’s a lot more to leather (and non-leather) theater seating. And as one of the most crucial components of your new media room, the process of designing and purchasing your home theater seating should involve a bit of research and a lot of exploration into the world of custom movie theater-style furniture for the home. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

Many people focus purely on the design and model of the theater seating they buy; however, it’s important to think about what kind of material your home cinema chairs are made with. Non-leather theater seating like microfiber theater seats are sometimes fitting, especially if your media room furniture doubles as living room furniture. But, as leather and look-alike leather are the top choices for home cinema seating, you should know the ins and outs of what types of leather choices there are. 

Full-grain, luxury Nappa leather home theater seating is what we specialize in. But we also know how to get the same quality and look of full-grain leather seating in other ways, whether it’s a more affordable type of leather, or one that might be more your style. We put together this handy guide to the different types of leather that are available in the home theater seating industry so you know the pros and cons of each before you decide on your home theater furniture design.

And as we’re going along, don’t forget that there are over a dozen options of colored leather theater seating, as well as options for two tone leather or leather chairs with contrasting piping.

Faux Leather: a Non-Leather Theater Seating Loophole

The improvements in the quality and function of synthetic materials has led to some impressive faux leather options for furniture coverage. It is quite strong, and adds the same modern look to home theater chairs as real leather. 

Pros of vegan leather theater seating are:

• Faux leather theater chairs are low-maintenance.
• It’s ideal for budget home theater seating, 
• Faux leather theater seating is vegan.
• Since it’s technically not leather, it’s easier to work with in the manufacturing process.
• It’s UV-resistant and doesn’t crack like authentic leather-upholstered movie chairs do.

Cons to choosing faux leather media room furniture are:

• The long-term durability isn’t as good as real leather.
• Vegan leather’s sheen wears out over time, faster than real leather.
• Real leather is hypoallergenic; faux leather may cause allergic reactions for some.
• Despite being vegan, it’s not environmentally-friendly to create faux-leather-covered home theater seating.

Split Grain Leather: Leather Theater Seating on a Budget

Split grain leather is made when a hide of leather is literally split. When the top outer layer is removed, the hide left is called “split grain.” Split grain leather is often used for a variety of media room furniture, purses, jackets, and many other products that require leather coverings. 

Pros of choosing split-grain leather for your movie theater chairs are:

• This type of leather is economical, making your theater furniture more affordable.
• It can be made to appear almost the same as full-grain leather.
• It’s really durable.
• Split grain leather theater seating will stand up to kids and pets better than full-grain.
• Because it’s flexible, split grain leather media room furniture is comfy.

Cons of split-grain leather as theater seating upholstery are:

• It’s hard to maintain when compared to higher-quality types of leather. 
• It’s comfortable; but is it the most comfortable home theater seating? No. Split-grain leather seating does have a harder texture than higher-quality leather.
• It’s more difficult to clean than other leather seating options – there’s almost no water resistance whatsoever.

Yes, split grain leather and vegan leather have some downfalls, including a lack of breathability, which is typical of processed materials. But it looks so nice, especially if designed in two-tone leather colors, that no one will know it’s budget home theater seating.

Nubuck Leather: No Pets Allowed on These Home Theater Recliners!

Nubuck leather is where top-grain leather components enter the leather-creation process. Nubuck is made from cattle rawhide, and is often used on media room furniture designs that require a softer textured look. The hides are buffed to give a soft, suede-like appearance, without most of the issues that come with trying to maintain suede. 

Pros of nubuck leather theater seating are:

• It’s nice to the touch – it feels just as soft as it looks.
• It’s more durable than split-grain and vegan leather-upholstered theater chairs.
• Nubuck leather is breathable.
• With a simple treatment, you can virtually waterproof Nubuck leather media furniture.
• Because the finish is a matte, sanded look, theater recliners made of Nubuck won’t throw any intruding light around the theater, interrupting viewing quality.

Cons of choosing Nubuck leather for your home theater chairs are:

• Nubuck leather is super easy to stain.
• It has almost no UV resistance, so that color contrast leather seating design will fade over time.
• The other side of the coin with how soft Nubuck leather theater furniture is that it’ll scratch easily.
• Oils will stain Nubuck leather movie seats, meaning greasy hands from wings or popcorn are now potential hazards that can ruin the leather.

Home theater chairs and entertainment room couches made of Nubuck leather are best for homes without children or pets; Nubuck is hardy, but everything that happens to it shows.

Top Grain Leather: Media Room Furniture that’s Soft and Authentic

Top grain leather is very similar to full grain leather – both are created with the natural hide. The main difference between the two types of leather seating is the process that treats the surface. Top grain leather goes through a buffing process that makes it quite soft to the touch. It has a natural and warm appearance perfect for plush brown theater seating or grey theater loveseats.

Advantages of designing home theater furniture in top grain leather are:

• You can still choose colors like red, white, orange, or two tone leather for your theater seating.
• Top Grain leather is both durable and low-maintenance.
• The sanding and buffing process top grain leather goes through make for leather media room seats that are super-resistant to things like wine stains and popcorn butter.
• Top Grain leather home theater seating is consistent in texture and color. In fact, if you add a color like orange or two tone black and white patterns on your seating, the leather becomes more resistant to stains.
• It’s less expensive than full grain leather.
• If you take care of them correctly, theater seats covered in top grain leather can last you well over a decade.

Disadvantages of top grain leather are hard to come by, but important to consider:

• It’s less durable than full grain leather.
• Like Nubuck, theatre-style movie seats covered in top grain leather are easily scratched.
• If neglected or exposed to too much sun, top grain leather will crack.

When you weigh the absolute giant of a pro that is top grain leather’s resistance to oil absorption against the con that is how easily it fades in sun, choosing top grain leather for your home theater sectionals, sofas, loveseats or rows of recliners seems like a pretty good idea. Your home movie theater probably (hopefully) isn’t full of windows and natural light… that’s sort of, not the point of a movie theater.

Full Grain Leather: Valencia Home Theater’s Pride and Joy

Full grain leather is considered the most authentic leather, typically only used in high-end furniture. Once the animal hair is removed from the hide, it is soaked in natural dye. With no other treatments besides the tanning process, the leather keeps the original texture and look of the actual hide. It is pure, so, naturally, designing home theater seating with full grain leather upholstery is more expensive than the other types of leather and non-leather seating options. 

Features that make full grain leather something to consider fitting in the budget for your home theater seating are:

• While it might seem a bit stiff at first, over time and use, the leather becomes softer to the touch. That means that, coupled with the foam-core cushion and lumbar support settings, your home theater recliner slowly forms to your body over time, from the inside out. 
• As long as it gets the care it needs, your media room furniture stays beautiful even as it wears in. See? You don’t have to sacrifice great appearance for great ergonomics.
• Full grain leather lasts the longest of the 5 types of leather.
• Worn-in full grain leather media room recliners are super soft, and make for the most comfortable home theater seating options.

Obviously, full grain leather seating is going to be more expensive than vegan leather movie chairs, and it’s also going to take more care. But think about it this way: Do you really think someone drops $100K on a luxury sports car and then leaves it to rot in a dark garage for years? No – you take care of your investments. Regular cleaning and conditioning of full-grain leather is going to result in durable, comfy theater seating that ages gracefully. 

A Commitment to Luxurious Leather Home Theater Furniture

Valencia’s theater seating uses the best qualities of top and full grain leather. Our cinema seating uses Nappa and leather: soft, full-grain that has a natural look and feel, and a durable finish.  Often seen in luxury car interiors, Valencia is proud to offer customers the best in home theater recliners, in comfort, quality and style. 

Between the craftsmanship and comfort of your home theater seating from Valencia, anyone who sits on your media room furniture will wonder how in the world you can afford such nice home theater seating.

When setting up the perfect home theater, choosing the right seating material is key for both comfort and long-lasting quality. Leather is a popular choice that gives a luxurious look and feel, but not all leathers are the same. From the extremely durable full-grain to the more budget-friendly corrected-grain and split leather options, this article will explain the different types of genuine leather used for home theater seats. We'll go over the advantages and disadvantages of each kind so you can decide which one best fits your needs and budget while providing the ideal combination of style, coziness, and hardwearing performance in your home cinema.

What is Genuine Leather?

Real or genuine leather refers to any material derived from the tanned and treated hides of animals like cows, buffalo, goats, lambs, etc. It's a natural product made by processing the outer skin layers through techniques like salting, tanning with tannins or chromium salts, and finishing treatments.

Common Misconceptions About Leather

Contrary to popular belief, the term "genuine leather" is not an indicator of quality. It simply means the material contains some genuine leather content, which can range from the highest grade full-grain down to the lowest split leather with only the fibrous interior remnants used.

Different Grades of Genuine Leather

Leather hides go through various splitting, sanding and finishing processes that separate them into distinct grades:

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Yilin.

• Full-Grain: The highest and most premium grade utilizing the entire exterior skin surface for maximum durability.
• Top-Grain:The outer skin layer is sanded to remove imperfections, then artificially treated.
• Corrected-Grain:Lower grades with an artificial grain embossed and heavy pigment coating.
• Split:The fibrous interior remnants after the top grain has been separated.

Understanding these diverse grades is crucial when selecting leather for qualities like natural look, softness, breathability, stain resistance and overall durability. Higher grades like full and top-grain cost more but offer greater resilience.

What is Full-Grain Leather?

Full-grain is the highest quality and most premium type of genuine leather. It uses the entire top surface layer of the hide, without anything being buffed or sanded off. This outer layer, called the "grain", contains the strongest and most durable fibers.

Extremely Durable and Gets Better with Age

Since the tough outer grain is left completely intact, full-grain leather is incredibly resistant to scratches, stains, and everyday wear and tear. Plus, it develops a beautiful, one-of-a-kind patina as it ages - rather than looking worn, it actually becomes richer and more character-filled over time. This makes full-grain an outstanding choice for heavy-use home theater seating.

Low Maintenance but High Cost

While full-grain just needs some occasional conditioning to look its best, it does come with a higher price tag than other leathers. However, many consider this investment worthwhile because of full-grain's superior durability and looks that improve yearly.

Naturally Luxurious

If you want luxurious, long-lasting home theater chairs that will acquire a distinguished vintage look with every passing year, full-grain leather is incredibly hard to beat. Just know that you'll pay a premium upfront for this top-of-the-line, full grain quality.

What is Top-Grain Leather?

Top-grain leather has had the outer surface sanded and buffed to remove any imperfections and create a smooth, uniform look. It's then treated with pigments and a finish coat.

A Great All-Around Performer

Top-grain leather hits a sweet spot, pairing a consistently smooth, uniform appearance with enhanced comfort and durability that outperforms lower leather grades. Its surface treatment creates an attractive look while retaining good hardwearing capabilities.

Affordable Luxury

Top-grain's finishing process allows it to mimic the look of full-grain at a more affordable price point. This makes it a popular cost-effective choice for achieving a luxe leather look in home theaters.

Stain-Resistant and Easy Living

The pigmented finish coating gives top-grain excellent resistance to staining and discoloration. It also results in a softer, more supple hand-feel compared to untreated leathers. Plus, the uniform color means zero unsightly blemishes or defects.

A Versatile Option

For homeowners wanting leather's rich aesthetic in their theater seating without the full-grain price tag, top-grain offers a compelling middle-ground solution that balances cost and performance.

For more Top-grain leather info: Top-grain vs. Full-grain leather

What is Corrected-Grain Leather?

Corrected-grain leather starts off as a lower grade hide that goes through a process to have an artificial grain embossed into the surface. It is then coated and treated to have a consistent finished look.

Aesthetically Pleasing on a Budget

One of the biggest draws of corrected-grain leather is its ability to mimic the appearance of higher grade leathers like full-grain and top-grain at a much lower cost. It has a uniform, blemish-free look.

Good For Light Use

While not as durable long-term as the upper leather grades, corrected-grain can hold up well with lighter residential use for home theater seating. The coated finish provides decent stain resistance.

The Trade-Offs

To achieve its lower price point, corrected-grain can't match the natural beauty, breathability and superior durability of true top and full grain leathers. It also lacks the ability to develop a patina over time.

Balanced Aesthetics and Value

For buyers focused mainly on achieving an attractive leather look for their home theater on a tighter budget, corrected-grain offers a compelling balance of aesthetics and affordability, albeit with some trade-offs in longevity.

What is Split Leather?

Split leather is made from the inner fibrous part of the rawhide that gets separated from the outer grain during the leather manufacturing process. It has a different look and feel than leathers that retain the outer grain.

An Affordable Option

As a byproduct, split leather represents one of the most budget-friendly genuine leather options on the market. It provides the look and smell of genuine leather at a low price point.

Durability Considerations

While split leather can seem like an economical choice upfront, it tends to have limitations in durability and longevity compared to top grain and full grain leathers, especially in high-use applications like home theater seating. The lack of an outer protective grain makes it more prone to wear over time.

Ideal for Light Duty Use

For home theaters that don't see constant heavy use, split leather chairs or sectionals can be a suitable cost-effective choice. Just be aware they likely won't withstand years of daily wear as well as higher grades.

Get What You Pay For

At the end of the day, split leather delivers genuine leather looks and appeal at a value price. But those looking for maximum durability and longevity will want to consider stepping up to top grain or full grain leather for their home theater seating.

What Are Exotic Leathers?

While most leather furniture is made from cowhide, exotic leathers come from more unusual animal skins like ostrich, alligator, and crocodile. These specialty hides are distinctly different from standard leather.

A Truly Unique Look and Feel

Exotic leathers have a one-of-a-kind texture, patterning and hand-feel compared to regular leathers. They provide an undeniably premium look that exudes luxury - perfect for making a statement in an upscale home theater.

Scarcity Means Higher Pricing

Since exotic animal hides are much rarer and require more specialized tanning, exotic leathers command a significant premium over conventional leather options. Their limited availability drives up costs.

Special Upkeep Required

In addition to their higher price tags, exotic leathers demand very specific conditioning and cleaning routines to maintain their distinctive appearance and prevent cracking or drying out over time.

Unmatched Indulgence

For those with luxury budgets seeking the ultimate in unique, sumptuous seating, incorporating exotic leathers into a home theater provides an undeniably decadent, conversation-starting look. Just be prepared for the considerable costs and specialized care routines involved.

Pick the Right Leather for Your Home Theater Seating

Picking the perfect home theater seating comes down to balancing looks, comfort, durability, and budget. Full-grain is the premium choice for long-lasting luxury but costs more. Top-grain and corrected-grain offer rich style with solid wear. Split leather gives you genuine leather vibes on a tighter budget. And exotic leathers like ostrich bring ultimate indulgence - if your pockets can handle the steep pricing. Consider what matters most, and let that guide you to the leather seating that enhances your home cinema experience. Take the time to choose wisely - your theater deserves the perfect leather seats.

Want more information on red leather theater seats? Feel free to contact us.

Read More