At home, I’ve been battling my spouse who loathes the leather furniture we own. She wants it replaced. But I love leather—the classic material that only improves as it ages and becomes more worn. The funny thing is, the more houses I walk through and the more design photos I save, the more I realized she isn’t alone. As my home debate continues, I noticed something about today’s interiors: they too are missing leather finishes in their design. This had me thinking, has leather become a trend of the past?
Turns out, today’s interiors are chasing something different…and leather isn’t leading the trend anymore. I started checking some of my favorite furniture brands, I noticed something unusual—leather pieces were less expensive than their upholstered equal. In fact, most of the leather pieces were on sale because they were not selling. Instead, materials like linen, velvet, boucle, wool, and textured weaves are trending. Here’s why I found they are winning.
Today’s interiors are chasing warmth. Upholstery absorbs light instead of reflecting it, making rooms feel quieter and more inviting. Leather—especially smooth-grain leather—can feel visually colder by comparison.
What I liked about leather is it emphasized clean lines and minimalism. It felt tailored, crisp, and most importantly, durable. And to be fair, not all leather pieces are out of favor—they’re just no longer the ‘main event’ or central focus. Instead, they’ve become the accent. They’re being layered in with velvet chairs and woven seating with natural wood accents. The layering helps the room feel much richer.
Turns out, my wife reflects a broader consumer trend. People are increasingly prioritizing comfort over formality. Upholstered furniture literally looks softer before you even sit down (which was her main argument). And after years of hard surfaces (think steel, concrete, and of course, leather); people are gravitating toward rooms that feel like they invite you to stay awhile.
I actually think leather is following the same path as marble. It never disappeared—but it moved to being used more intentionally. So, the future isn’t 'all leather' or 'no leather.' It’s a room where leather is one texture…among many.
For someone who loves varying design styles, I won’t replace every leather piece. I plan to keep a couple of the exceptionally aged leather chairs and library-styled recliners. But I plan to layer them more with linen and larger upholstered pieces. That combination has far more longevity than the abundant leather living room we have now does. Maybe that’s the compromise. Keep the old leather that has earned its wrinkles, let upholstery soften everything around it, and call it a win. It keeps the house current…and, perhaps more importantly, it keeps the wife happy.
📸 Leather chairs, matching leather pillows on the high-back chairs, and leather barstools fill our main living area. Downstairs, you’ll find leather library recliners, a tufted leather coffee table, and another leather sofa. Needless to say…we have a lot of leather in our house. And personally, I love it—the rich brown tones, the patina, and the worn lines that only get better with age.
