11 Living Rooms That Make the Case For a Leather Sofa

written by

Lindsey Lanquist

updated May 29, 2020

living room with leather sofa and chairs — Liljencrantz Design

The sofa is the unquestionable centerpiece of any living room. Yet, many of us select our sofas without recognizing the room-defining power they possess. We opt for pieces that promise comfort and versatility. And while these traits are undeniably important, they, alone, aren’t enough. We don’t merely want a couch that plays well with the rest of our décor—we want a couch that absolutely elevates any space it’s in. And few pieces strike this balance—between coziness, practicality, and aesthetic appeal—as reliably as the leather sofa.

The leather sofa has long been a staple in thoughtfully curated homes, because, well, it does it all. It’s soft but structured, sleek but textured, and inviting but not overly indulgent. It’s comfy enough to serve as the backdrop for a lazy day spent lounging and watching Netflix, but it’s not so excessively cozy that it’d tempt you to spend every day like that. It’s adaptable enough to cooperate with any carefully curated aesthetic, while also being bold enough to make a statement in any room.

The leather sofa has long been a staple in thoughtfully curated homes, because, well, it does it all.

By embracing these dichotomies, the leather sofa helps us navigate the space between the people we want to be and the people we really are. Of course we want to curate a living room so spectacular it deserves to be featured in our favorite home décor publications. But we also want a living room worth living in—a place comfortable enough to watch movies, and read books, and host guests. And we don’t want to have to throw out a ton of décor just because we’ve invested in a new piece of furniture.

By doing it all, the leather sofa invites us to want it all—and to actually get it. We can have comfort and structure. We can have versatility and excitement. We can have practicality and style.

01 of 11

Leather Sofa Paired With Bohemian Textiles

In this Minneapolis house, a cozy leather sofa acts as the backdrop to an array of bohemian textiles—from rugs, to pillows, to throws.

02 of 11

Living Room With a Leather Armchair

Not willing to commit to a full sofa? Leather armchairs offer the same versatility and chic appeal as leather couches—and they take up a fraction of the space.

03 of 11

Leather Sofa Styled With Colorful Accents

Fans of a vibrant palette may feel reluctant to introduce a massive neutral into their space. But remember, brown and black leathers only accentuate the shades and tones you surround them with.

04 of 11

Dark Accents Lightened Up With Camel Leather

Leather sofas can hold their own against the heaviest of structural accents—dark fireplaces, trim, and crown molding included.

05 of 11

Classic Leather Sofa Styled With Rustic and Boho Accents

Whether your vibe is rustic, bohemian, or some combination of the two, a leather sofa is sure to reliably complement the mood you’re curating. In fact, in cases like this, it can even help you bridge the gap between two different aesthetics.

06 of 11

Greenery-Filled Living Room With Unique Leather Sofa

Remember, brown and structured isn’t the only way to do it. Leather sofas come in a range of shades and silhouettes. And while the go-to brown option tends to act as an easy complement, more out-of-the-box options can work just as well.

07 of 11

Camel Leather Sofa Styled With Other Warm Tones

Not sure where to take your palette? Consider letting your sofa set the tone. By branching into shades from the same warm color family, you can ensure your space feels coherent.

08 of 11

Leather Sofa in an Open Concept Home

When decorating an open-concept space, remember that couches can serve as organic boundaries between rooms.

09 of 11

Classic Living Room With a Low-to-the-Ground Leather Sofa

Remember, your couch doesn’t need to have exposed legs. Floor-sweeping options, like this one, can be just as sleek.

10 of 11

Leather Sofa Paired With Large Scale Art Work

Consider pairing your warm, vibrant couch with a piece of art that accentuates its rich tone. It will, in turn, amplify some of the loveliest shades in the artwork.

11 of 11

Leather Sectional Sofa Styled in a Living Room Corner

L-shaped couches lend themselves naturally to corners, no matter what textile they’re rendered in. But wall-to-wall leather offers a kind of luxurious coziness that few other fabrics can achieve.