17 Best Leather Sofas of 2026: Couches That Are Editor-Approved

The best leather sofas adhere to the ABCs of great seating: agnostic design, beautiful texture, and classic silhouettes. Generally, genuine leather is lauded for its durability and longevity—it’s only going to look better with age and some patina. The fabric also makes a wildly comfy, easy-to-clean surface where dirt and dust can be wiped away with a cloth.

If you’re on the search for a new sofa that radiates sophistication (and not just single energy), there are a bounty of leather options at every price point, whether you prefer the softness of suede or the supple, lived-in feel of top-grain leather. Ahead, we gathered our favorite leather couches available online, from small-space designs to larger sectionals that will become the anchor for your future hangouts.

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Best Overall

Castlery Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa with Ottoman

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Best Budget-Friendly Option

Article Cigar Leather Sofa

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Best Plush Sofa

Pottery Barn Turner Square Arm Leather Sofa

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We also included a few wish-list-worthy collectible pieces from midcentury-modern makers like Tobia Scarpa and de Sede, in case contemporary silhouettes don’t quite measure up to the look you’re going for. Below, some of the most handsome leather styles on our wishlist.

Best Leather Sofa, Overall

Castlery Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa with Ottoman

Castlery Jonathan top-grain leather sofa is overstuffed, inviting, and supportive—the holy trinity of comfort. We love the inviting modular design that’s perfect for kicking your feet up on the nearby coffee table or simply lounging around in your modern living space. Rachel Fletcher, AD commerce director, has had the Castlery’s Jonathan sectional since 2022 and still gives it an A. The sofa is streamlined—it’s legless look resembles a seat you might find at one of those dine-in theaters. It’s overstuffed and inviting, but still supportive. Contributor Sarah Madaus said it was so comfortable, she asked her partner to cook dinner so she could keep sitting in it. Choose from caramel or warm taupe colorways—or maybe get both, one for the living room and one for the den.

Best Budget-Friendly Option

You won’t regret getting the Article Cigar leather sofa, which has the “soft buttery” rawhide tan texture of a baseball glove, but the rounded curves of a marshmallow. The leather upholstery is made to look like suede, for a soft brushed effect. And if you want to kick your feet up when sinking into this sofa, there’s even a matching leather ottoman to pair with it.

Best Plush Sofa

Pottery Barn Turner Square Arm Leather Sofa

A perennial silhouette available in a variety of sizes and finish options, depending on your needs, this couch from staple furniture retailer Pottery Barn looks plush and has that perfectly-worn-in soft leather look. Get it with or without nailheads, depending on the look you’re going for.

Best for Small Spaces

CB2 Rodez Saddle Leather Apartment Sofa

Something about this couch resembles an Olsen twin-approved hobo bag. The low-slung back, saddle leather, warm brown and welt trim on the perimeter and a slight ruching on the seat back are of the Y2K penthouse persuasion, but somehow we can also see this at home in a Nashville McMansion. How can one couch accomplish so much? Top-grain aniline leather and the bright minds behind CB2 will do that.

Best for Reclining

West Elm Harmony Leather Sofa

Dubbed West Elm’s “most comfortable sofa ever,” this deep-seated model is a durable and modern sofa design that even comes in your choice of genuine or vegan leather. The ultra-plush pillows on the arms also lend an especially inviting feel.

Best Splurge-y Sofa

Design Within Reach Pastille Sofa

Talk about an investment piece for lounging in style. The seat on this DWR sofa is low, but not so low that you feel like you’re inches from the floor. We appreciate the thoughtful details such as topstitching that was not overlooked by Hlynur Atlason, the Icelandic-born designer who created thePastille sofa exclusively for the brand. It comes in 12 leather colorways that include neutrals like the more traditional cognac to the more design-forward rouge and olive. For a smaller footprint, opt for the 80-inch-wide loveseat.

Best MCM Look

There’s something definitely Texas ranch about this couch: the wear of the camel shade looks desert sun-tanned for decades. The secret is that their aniline-dyed leather is hand-finished for that perfectly worn-in look. In variations from 88” up to 100”, it’s about as subtle as a leather couch can be. It doesn’t have the stalwart sensibility that comes with so many leather couches as much as it does an heirloom piece repurposed for modern interiors.

More AD-Approved Leather Couches

West Elm Remi Leather Modular Sofa

The conversation pit aesthetic is key with this model that mimics the deep-set ‘70s style enclosure. The low, boxy silhouette is ripe for secret-sharing or cat-napping. Take your pick from genuine top-grain leather or animal-friendly vegan leather: They’re both supported by kiln-dried hardwood for a luxury couch that transitions seamlessly from decade to decade.

Soho Home Marcia Three Seater Sofa

While a lot of leather sofas look like clones of one another, this three-seater from Soho Home stands out among the pack thanks to its handsome wood frame and casually elevated feel. A shade like chestnut or sangria blend in more seamlessly with the oak wood for a more understated look, while the moss, honey, or classic black hues accentuate the soft edge frame to create a statement piece for your living room.

Lulu and Georgia Hewitt Sofa

Not one couch on this line-up embodies 80s glam like this pleated pick from Lulu & Georgia. The low, oversized, plush style evokes the lounge-like interiors of the era, with rounded corners and a sink-into-me silhouette. At 86.6” (just a tad shorter than the 88” options that dominate this line-up), it comfortably seats three for a Dirty Dancing movie night.

Crate & Barrel Wells Leather Apartment Sofa

This classic couch is available in forty different genuine and faux leather options if you’ve been having trouble finding the perfect shade of olive green or a chestnut without red undertones. If that’s too much decision fatigue, we recommend going with a versatile shade of black, mostly because the slim arms bear a resemblance to the luxuriously lived-in black leather sofa we spotted in Walton Goggins’ upstate New York retreat.

McGee & Co. Warner Leather Sofa

If you’re just too impatient to wait for your leather sofa to obtain an aged look, McGee & Co.’s Warner settee will help with faking patina. The down feather-filled cushions will give you something to hug on movie nights or stack them like a bolster for the optimal spot to curl up with a good book.

AllModern Dillington Leather Sofa

Available in two stylish brown leathers, this low-profile three-seater is a dreamy lounge piece thanks to supremely comfy padding supported by a solid wood frame. The square arms and and generous seats make it extra inviting.

DS2011 by de Sede 20th Century Swiss Leather Sofa

Personality is one thing that this vintage de Sede leather couch has no shortage of. Just looking at it makes us want to drape ourselves over the U-shaped frame. Manufactured in Switzerland, the style is all about capturing mid-20th-century craftsmanship that lends itself to comfort. Retro vibes are not to be overlooked.

Castlery Hamilton Leather Round Chaise Sectional Sofa

There’s a little bit of a retro vibe about the rounded chaise on this design. Deep seats offer up a sink-in feel that’s still easy to pull yourself out of (if you really have to). Made of top-grain leather on top of stainless-steel legs, it’s a great option for larger rooms.

Burrow Arch Nomad Leather Loveseat

When we think of highly customizable, Burrow’s Nomad leather sofa comes to mind. The brand offers three colors, six types of metal or wood legs, and even has an armrest shape selection to help you build a bespoke creation. Our tester, AD contributor Terri Williams tried the camel-colored leather with metal legs. Williams praised the high-end topstitching on the upholstery and the layers of foam in the seat and back cushions, as well as the sofa’s versatility.

Crate & Barrel Aviator Leather Sofa

One setback of leather sofas can be their visual weight—a design term tossed around to describe how large pieces can feel overwhelming or obtrusive without the right styling. This leather couch skirts the threat by offering six inches of space under the couch to create lift, even with such a hefty piece and heavy fabric. The cylindrical bolsters also do work to soften the couch’s gravitas, and bring a lighter mood and weight to the designscape—a bit friendlier and less intimidating than some leather couches that scream, “man cave

FAQs

For one, leather couches are durable as hell. Leather is said to last four times longer than a fabric sofa, not to mention the patina of aged leather is currently in vogue. It’s worth it: Durable leather furniture is going to stick with you for the long run. Plus, leather is hypoallergenic. Whatever type of leather you choose, no open fibers means no catching and holding dust or other allergens. (Take that, pet hair!)

How long do leather couches last?

If properly cared for, your leather sofa can last a good 15 to 25 years (or even longer)—just look at all the high-quality de Sede designs, Bellini configurations, and Togos on the vintage resale market. Bonded and faux leather sofas have a shorter lifespan (roughly three to seven years). Read on for more tips and pointers on proper leather care.

How to take care of a leather couch

Dust your leather couch with a dry cloth regularly. You’ll also want to clean any spills or messes up immediately to prevent liquids or oils from sinking into the material. Just like our own skin, you should keep leather moisturized to maintain its vitalized appearance. Invest in a nice leather conditioner and give your furniture a good rub down once or twice a year to maintain its suppleness and prevent cracks, stains, and any other imperfections from worsening. For darker colored hides, keeping your sofa out of direct sunlight will also help resist fading. Read our explainer on how to clean leather furniture if you want to learn more ways to maintain your shiny new couch.

Believe it or not, there are many categories of leather. Full grain describes the most authentic version of the material—only the animal hair has been removed from the hide and has been naturally dyed. This type of leather is a bit tough at first, but it wears into a deliciously soft material after time. Top-grain leather is a popular option, as it’s been buffed to have a softer look (and feel) from the first sit. Split grain is a less expensive construction, as the first layer of leather has been removed. Bonded leather is another one you’ll see out there; it’s made from scraps of other projects and connected with an adhesive. No matter which one you choose, you’ll get that leather look and smell—it’s a great material for all budgets.

How to Style a Leather Sofa

The world of leather sofas is expansive. With most furniture, we find successful decorating is less about the actual material and more about the silhouettes, which is certainly still the case here. Beloved for its versatility and durability, leather can lean slightly masculine and moody, especially if you land on a darker hue like black, chocolate brown, or navy blue (our forever muse Lenny Kravitz knows this better than anyone). Lighter tans, beiges, and taupes are also ideal for outfitting light and airy spaces, like the vintage-looking couch we saw in this Brooklyn apartment with lots of sunlight. Since it’s one of the most popular upholsteries for modern furniture, the list of available sofa styles is endless: From classic midcentury-modern shapes with vintage appeal to softer, low profile designs that can outfit modern spaces like Devin Booker’s living room. In brighter hues, leather sofas can even be true statement pieces, like the textural scene-stealer in this Parisian apartment.