Leather furniture suffers various damages and indignities, requiring repair to remove unsightly problems. Too many people have unruly or bored pets, maybe a puppy that is teething, or a cat that uses a sofa back for a scratching post, or worse. Repairing or replacing the leather in whole or in part can be the solution to these damages. Many appreciate the patina that leather develops as it ages, including dark patchiness from wear, or other characteristics of a fine old top grain aniline dyed, vegetable tanned leather. How should we figure out whether to repair or replace the leather? The determination is partly based on usage, and on our aesthetic tastes.

Leather that undergoes significant stress in upholstered furniture must be evaluated to see if it is serviceable. If you can tear the edge of leather between your fingers like you might tear paper, then it will not last long on a seat or arm or inside back of a chair or sofa. Unless it has historic or other important significance, the “heroic" efforts required to conserve such fragile leather is rarely worth the cost. Such pieces are better to look at and not touch, not practical for many homes. Badly torn or ripped leather on a seating surface is generally replaced. If only part of the leather is being replaced, such as a seat cushion, the new leather should be carefully matched to the old. Often the new leather must be dyed and stained with aniline dyes, or pigmented lacquer or vinyl finishes to match to the existing leather. Color matching of leathers is difficult to do, the texture of the leather is highly visible and an important component of successfully repairing the leather damage.

Some leather is not subject to much stress in daily use, as on a desktop or screen. Leather on a desk may be more easily repaired and saved than a sofa cushion, even though extremely fragile and despite great age. Losses or burns in old leather tops may be restored by inlaying similar leather, and an artist touching up, dyeing and staining to match the adjacent coloration and patination, even distress.

Commonly required repairs include gluing down minute cuts from cat claws, followed by filling minor damages with a flexible filler colored to match the leather, touching up and staining worn leather that appears to have the finish and dye worn off, or touching up other discolorations from spilled liquids. It is common to have fine old leathers wear down, and lose the finish coat. If the leather is not fragile, such leather can often be very successfully restored, and extend the life of the leather for another ten or twenty years of heavy usage.

If you have leather that is worn, torn, or in need of repair, seek the advice of a competent leather upholstery and repair company that has on its staff artists and finishers that regularly perform leather repairs. It is a skill that requires a great deal of experience to develop proficiency, and one that can work miracles restoring your treasured leather furniture.