Patina describes the gradual changes in colour, sheen and softness that leather develops with age, handling and exposure to light. Oils from skin, gentle wear at the edges and years of sunlight all slowly alter the surface, giving a well used leather sofa a depth of colour and a soft glow that new leather does not have.
Full-grain and aniline leathers, since they have little or no protective coating, develop patina fastest and most visibly, while heavily coated finishes such as pigmented leather change very little over time. Many people choose full-grain leather specifically for this quality, treating the sofa as a piece that improves with age rather than one to keep looking new. Our leather sofa guide explains how to care for leather as it develops patina.
