Can I Distress a Leather Couch?

Leather Couches

Pick a couch that looks the way you want it to look as soon as you get it. Leather changes naturally over time but will look similar to the product you originally purchased. Always speak to the manufacturer or a knowledgeable salesperson to ensure you're buying real leather if you want to eventually distress a piece. Quality leather sofas last for many years, distressed or not.

Distressed leather looks like antique or older leather before it's actually old. You can apply chemicals to get a distressed look, but it's simple to do it with household items. Just dab alcohol onto a leather couch and knead it into the leather. Work your fists and fingers into the leather to break down the strong material and make it softer and more pliable. You can also apply heat with a hair dryer to get the leather to crack, but you shouldn't crack your leather unless you're sure it's what you want. Once you have a crack, it's difficult to repair.

Many companies offer new leather sofas that already look distressed. Let salespeople know you're interested in distressed sofas when you shop, so you don't have to risk your couch by distressing it yourself. Speed up the aging of your leather by having lots of people sit on the couch. Tell them to be rough with it so the fibers break down.

Call the company that manufactured your sofa before you attempt to distress it. Different types of leather will handle distressing differently, so ensure your couch reacts well to the method you choose. Before distressing the entire piece, work on a small area that isn't easily viewed so you can change your mind if you don't like the final result.