Interior designers often include black leather chairs or suites when designing new living areas, work areas, and especially when marketing an upper-class home. Leather has always remained a constant in furniture manufacturing; it is also constantly used in interior design. We took a look to see why leather remains such a popular choice.  Leather has always been regarded a symbol of status of fortune and power. When one thinks of who would be the first to be affected or interested in purchasing leather furniture the result is usually: a male. They are drawn particularly to black leather, as it is considered a masculine fabric, one that reflects the owners’ masculinity and status.  But of course for the modern home, a lady might like something stylish to mix in with the room design.  This is the modern world after all!

Dark or black leather and chrome are the two staples every bachelor wishes to include in his home. It is only later with the introduction of the feminine in a bachelors’ life and home that the softer shades are introduced. And the war for the black leather chair starts, often being banished to the den, study or more suitable area (if your lucky). Today when selling homes, interior design and décor have started to walk hand in hand, working together as well as independently with the purpose of getting a image of sophistication and class across to the consumer.

With the variety and choice available today, we more often than not make our purchases based on emotion. We like what we see and we therefore buy it. Most home marketing agents and property developers know this, and are developing and marketing with a certain class and client profile in mind, utilising design and décor for optimal results The use of leather in designs is more often found in places meant to attract the attention of the younger bachelor or up and coming male. Who will be drawn to the image projected by the design. Property developments focused on families would be more drawn to earth tones with the inclusion of cream, beige and brown, the leather of choice would be suede for its texture and softer tones.

Leather due to its many forms is a useful staple material that is used in interior design for bringing a sense of earthliness, wealth and status into a room. It sends a silent but firm message that the owner has some level of wealth, especially with black sofas and a black leather chair or two. This is this message that interior designers incorporate into their designs when adding leather, it is a message that is picked up readily and delivers the required results.

In today’s time the black leather chair has become a symbol of power and status. But how did this humble and functional object obtain such high status? Why not a white or cream chair? We looked into what made of this piece of furniture so desired and the impressions it has created on us.

Throughout the years in both design and décor the only two colours that always seem to be included in any design, are black and white. But those in the know will tell you black and white are not colours, they are shades, and as such, they are compatible with everything. However there are hundreds of different shades of white: bluebell white, creamy white, lily white to name a few. Thus white with its various shades tends to absorb and then blend with colours, and has therefore proven itself less superior. Where black overpowers colours, it absorbs them and makes them darker. Thus black is a more dominant colour.

Imagine walking into your bosses office and there behind his desk is a white or pale cream coloured chair… Your impression? Now what would your thoughts be if it was a black leather chair? The first one made you think didn’t it, where with the second it seemed right and in place. But how? In interior design, black is colour used to represent power, and white that of relaxation and calm. Think of the amount of white we wear in summer, the colour and outlay of a beach house and its design. The predominant colour is white, often followed by blue and green. Now think of a corporate environment, you immediately start seeing rich colours, burgundies, reds, browns, and black.

Colours alter our moods and perceptions, this is something interior designers and furniture manufacturers keep in mind when designing furniture and living spaces. Were you to think quickly what colour was your principals chair, now what colour is your bosses chair, and what colour chair are you most drawn to. Nine times out of ten the answer would be a black chair, it has been imprinted in our minds as a symbol of power.

Although black has a timeless quality about it, the furniture style it covers are often periodic. And although the black chair has stood the test of time it’s design has often been altered to accommodate the times. The real black leather chair will always remain a symbol of power and status.

Let’s face it a Ferrari with fabric seats just does not cut it just like a black leather chair must be in modern-contemporary home to give it the most stylish and luxurious feel.  No one can deny the effect a black leather chair has on your perception of power. However in today’s world, with our advances in technology and fabric production, artificial or fake leather looks as genuine as leather, it even feels like real leather.

So let’s investigate some easy ways and means on how you could spot that fake leather chair and come home with the real goods. A big indicator on whether it is the real McCoy or El Cheapo – the price. However once outside the store it may be very difficult to at first glance tell the difference. So if your looking at some ones’ furniture and going, “mmmmm…is it real?” Here are a few simple ways of determining whether it is genuine or artificial.

Real or Fake Leather Here?

Genuine Leather

• Will once it has warmed up or when kept at the correct temperature, have a unique smell.
• Will have small variants in the colour, tone and texture. Remember leather is animal hide it differs in thickness and tone. This is particularly true in the instance of black leather. Due to the limitation on real black leather, leather is mostly often dyed black, especially in the best quality black leather chair..
• Will absorb water and liquids and will darken slightly in the area. (Please do not toss your drink on it to see if it’s real, unless you dislike the company. Your host will not be pleased)
• Will not scald you if heated by the sun. Although leather does heat up, it rarely warms up past 40’C and in those instances it will be damaged.
• Most suede finish materials are fake.

Artificial leather

• Will have no sent, even when warm.

• Will have an overall smooth feel, with no changes in texture, tone or colour.
• Is waterproof, only the suede like fabrics will absorb water.
• This is due to the fabrics containing polyester and other poly fibres, water will often remain on the surface or be drawn through the upholstery.(Again. Do not toss your drink on it!)
• If left in the sun for a period of time, fake leather will scald you. This is also due to the poly fibres found in the fabric, these may heat to temperatures above 50‘C.

Should you still be unsure ask you host about the care of his furniture. Should he claim it is simple and only requires the use of a cloth and some mild detergent your probably dealing with a fake. However should he go into details about cleaning solutions and creams that need to be applied to your black leather chair, this to prevent it from cracking, perishing or becoming hard, chances are it is genuine leather.