Leather Office Chairs Offer the Ultimate in Luxury

Leather upholstery dates back to the Renaissance age and was especially prevalent in sixteenth and seventeenth century Spain. The artists and skilled craftsmen of the time developed tools for embossing, dying, and tanning raw hides that are still used today. Throughout history, furniture ranging from chairs and couches to headboards have been covered in leather and decorated with metal studs or even nails. Due to the rich history of leather furniture as well as the art of tanning hides, leather furniture has grown to symbolize power, strength, and status within the business world, making leather office chairs quite popular.

How is Leather Made?

The tanning process developed in the late sixteenth century took nearly a year to complete from start to finish. Animal hides were first coated in oil and grease, then scraped down to just the tough hide before being subjected to repeated pummeling in order to soften the hide. Stomping on the hide with bare feet was the most common approach for leather softening. Leather from cattle and oxen was more common back then due to the availability of the animals as well as the resulting strength of the leather. As time progressed, goat leather was used for more delicate applications.

Leather Furniture

The major benefits of using leather as a textile in furniture are that the natural product is extremely durable, properly cared for leather is soft and comfortable, and finally, leather upholstery is linked to the wealthy and powerful upper class. The earliest leather furniture was very traditional in style and large in size. The pieces were expensive and therefore owned only by the richest families and individuals. Bold or strong dye colors were very popular, including rich burgundy, rust, navy, and berry. The glazing process used created a smooth, shiny finish on the leather, which is characteristic of most antique pieces on the market today. Even some of the modern designs for leather office chairs utilize these rich colors, bringing a real sense of establishment and success into the office.

Modern leather upholstery utilizes lighter neutral colors like white, ivory, and natural wood shades. We also see softer more pliable leathers being used almost like fabric, allowing for a wider variety of design options including draping and pleating. The subtle matte finish maintains the integrity of the leather while giving a more casual or relaxed look to the furniture itself. While this more modern take on leather office chairs doesn't make as bold a statement as the traditional style, the thinner material and softer framing is compatible with current advances in ergonomic design, making the chairs themselves very comfortable and easy to use.

Leather in the Workplace

Given the comfort and high quality of leather upholstery, it is no surprise that many businesses and firms choose leather office chairs. Furthering the association of these chairs with power and status, you are most likely to find them behind the desks of executives and upper level employees. Leather office chairs are a great addition to a formal conference room, where they provide employees and guests with an extra taste of luxury.