Real Leather, Plush PU or Faux Leather – Which Should You Choose?

Choosing the Right Upholstery for Your Recliner

Buying a recliner is an investment in your comfort, so choosing the right upholstery is just as important as selecting the right style or reclining mechanism. While many people immediately assume that genuine leather is always the best option, modern upholstery materials such as Plush PU and high-quality faux leather each offer their own unique advantages.

The best material for your home depends on how you use your recliner, your lifestyle, your budget and your personal preferences. Some customers value the natural character and longevity of genuine leather, while others prefer the affordability and easy maintenance of modern synthetic materials.

This guide explains the differences between genuine leather, Plush PU and faux leather, helping you make an informed decision before choosing your new recliner.

Feature	Real Leather	Plush PU	Faux Leather
Appearance	Natural grain with unique markings	Leather-like appearance	Leather-look finish
Feel	Soft, breathable and develops character over time	Soft, smooth and consistent	Smooth with varying textures depending on quality
Durability	Excellent with proper care	Very good	Good
Maintenance	Easy to wipe clean	Easy to wipe clean	Easy to wipe clean
Breathability	Excellent	Moderate	Lower than genuine leather
Price	Premium	Mid-range	Budget-friendly
Best For	Long-term investment	Everyday family homes	Value-conscious buyers
Cleaning	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genuine Leather

Genuine leather has been used in quality furniture for generations and remains one of the most sought-after upholstery materials available. Every hide is naturally unique, meaning no two chairs are exactly alike. Small variations in grain, texture and natural markings are part of leather's character rather than imperfections.

Leather is highly breathable, helping it remain comfortable throughout the year. It feels cool when you first sit down and gradually adapts to your body temperature. With regular care, quality leather often becomes softer and develops an attractive patina as it ages.

At Just Recliners, we offer both Full Leather and Leather Match recliners. Our Leather Match models use premium top grain, semi-aniline leather on all contact areas — the parts of the chair your body touches — while the outer panels are upholstered in a carefully matched material. Our Full Leather models are upholstered entirely in genuine leather throughout.

Many customers choose genuine leather because it combines timeless style with exceptional longevity. When properly maintained, a leather recliner can provide many years of comfortable use.

 

Advantages

• Luxurious appearance

• Naturally breathable

• Durable and long-lasting

• Develops character over time

• Easy to wipe clean

 

Things to Consider

• Higher initial investment

• Benefits from occasional leather conditioning

• Natural markings and colour variation are normal

 

Plush PU

Plush PU has become increasingly popular as manufacturing techniques have improved. Designed to replicate the appearance and comfort of leather, it offers a soft, consistent finish at a more affordable price point. 

The Plush PU we use at Just Recliners consists of a coloured and textured exterior. Behind the durable polyurethane surface is a soft cushioned backing that gives Plush PU its comfortable feel, making it noticeably softer than many traditional synthetic leather materials.

Unlike genuine leather, Plush PU provides a very uniform appearance with consistent colour and texture across every chair. It is also simple to maintain, making it an attractive choice for busy households.

Many customers are surprised by how comfortable modern Plush PU feels. Advances in materials mean today's premium PU upholstery bears little resemblance to older synthetic materials.

 

Advantages

• Excellent value for money

• Soft, comfortable finish

• Consistent appearance

• Easy to clean

• Lower maintenance than leather

 

Things to Consider

• Doesn't develop a natural patina like leather

• Less breathable than genuine leather

• Lifespan generally shorter than premium leather

 

Faux Leather

Modern faux leather offers an attractive alternative for customers looking for the appearance of leather while keeping costs lower. Depending on the product, faux leather can closely resemble genuine leather from a distance while remaining easy to care for in everyday use.

Some retailers sell Bonded leather chairs as Faux leather, however, this isn't completely correct. Bonded leather is manufactured using genuine leather fibres that would otherwise become waste during the leather manufacturing process. These fibres are shredded and bonded together with modern binders before being finished with a protective surface, creating an attractive upholstery material that offers the appearance of leather at a more affordable price. 

At JustRecliners, we use Faux leather, not bonded leather, as we find it has greater longevity, appearance and feel. Bonded leather tends to flake away after a certain amount of time - an appearance and feeling we don't want to offer to our customers!

For households with children or pets, faux leather is often appreciated for its wipe-clean surface and straightforward maintenance.

As manufacturing technology continues to improve, many faux leather materials now offer impressive comfort and durability for everyday living.

 

Advantages

• Affordable

• Easy to clean

• Consistent appearance

• Wide choice of colours

 

Things to Consider

• Less breathable than genuine leather

• Doesn't age in the same way as natural leather

• Durability varies depending on quality

 

Which Material is Right for You?

Every customer has different priorities, so there isn't a single "best" material.

Choose Real Leather if you:

• Want a long-term investment

• Appreciate natural materials

• Prefer a luxurious finish

• Like furniture that develops character over time

Choose Plush PU if you:

• Want the appearance of leather at a lower price

• Prefer low-maintenance upholstery

• Need a practical option for everyday use

• Value comfort and consistency

Choose Faux Leather if you:

• Are working to a budget

• Want a stylish leather-look finish

• Need an easy-to-clean surface

• Want excellent value for money

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which upholstery do our customers choose?

While genuine leather remains the most popular choice for customers looking for a long-term investment, Plush PU has become increasingly popular with families wanting the appearance and comfort of leather at a more accessible price. Bonded leather is often chosen by customers looking for excellent value without compromising on style.

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Is genuine leather worth the extra cost?

For many customers, genuine leather offers excellent long-term value thanks to its durability, natural appearance and ability to age beautifully. However, modern Plush PU and faux leather also provide attractive, comfortable alternatives depending on your budget and lifestyle.

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Is Plush PU the same as faux leather?

Not necessarily. Plush PU is a type of polyurethane upholstery designed to provide a soft, leather-like feel. Faux leather is a broader term that can describe several different synthetic upholstery materials.

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Which material is easiest to clean?

All three materials are relatively straightforward to maintain with regular dusting and wiping. Genuine leather benefits from occasional conditioning, while Plush PU and faux leather generally require only routine cleaning with appropriate products.

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Which lasts the longest?

When properly cared for, genuine leather typically offers the longest lifespan. High-quality Plush PU and faux leather also provide excellent durability for everyday domestic use, although longevity varies depending on the material and how it is used.

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Which looks most like leather?

Genuine leather remains unique because of its natural grain and character. However, modern Plush PU and premium faux leather have become increasingly realistic in both appearance and texture.

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What is Leather Match?

Leather Match is the term we use to describe chairs that have our real, top grain semi aniline leather on all contact areas (as in, where your body touches the chair) with Plush PU on the non contact areas. This means the areas you actually sit on and touch every day benefit from the comfort and durability of premium top grain leather, while non-contact areas use carefully matched materials to keep the chair competitively priced without affecting day-to-day comfort.

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Still Unsure?

Choosing upholstery is only one part of finding your perfect recliner. Comfort, support, reclining mechanism, size and style all play an important role.

If you're unsure which material best suits your home, we're always happy to help. With a specialist focus on recliners, we can explain the differences between upholstery options and help you choose a chair that you'll enjoy for years to come. Drop us a call or email and we'd be overjoyed to help you through these options.