What Is “Vegan Leather”? Materials, Pros, Cons, and What Furniture Shoppers Should Know

“Vegan leather” is one of those phrases that sounds more than a little bit strange when you stop and think about it. After all, leather comes from animal hides. So calling something “vegan leather” is a bit odd, sort of like “jumbo shrimp”, “bittersweet”, or “dull roar”. Most people understand the general idea, but the contradictory name can create as many questions as answers.

Despite the contradiction, vegan leather is a term we frequently hear furniture shoppers use. You may also see it online, hear it in a furniture showroom, or find it in product descriptions for sofas, recliners, lift chairs, dining chairs, and other upholstered furniture.

So, what is vegan leather? What is it actually made from? Is it the same thing as faux leather, pleather, PU leather, or PVC leather? And perhaps most importantly, is it the right choice for your next piece of upholstery?

Let’s clear up the confusion.

What Is Vegan Leather?

Vegan leather is a broad term used to describe upholstery that looks or feels similar to leather but is not made from animal hide. However, vegan leather is not one specific upholstery material or fabric. It is more of a marketing term or category of upholstery.

Most vegan leather used on furniture is made from a variety of synthetic materials, typically one or more of the following:

Polyester
Polyurethane (i.e. PU leather)
Polyvinyl Chloride (i.e. PVC leather or vinyl)
A combination of the above synthetic materials with fabric backings

Some newer leather alternatives may use materials derived partly from plants or other agricultural sources. However, many of these products still contain synthetic coatings, binders, adhesives, or backing materials.

In other words, “vegan” in this sense does not necessarily mean “plant-based”, “green”, “natural”, or “plastic-free.” It simply means that the product was made without animal hide.

Is Vegan Leather the Same as Polyurethane / PU Leather?

Sometimes, but not always. Since “vegan leather” is a catch-all term for all sorts of leather alternatives and substitutes, this term can refer to a number of different materials, PU leather included.

However, not every product described as vegan leather is made from polyurethane. As we discussed above, some vegan leathers are made from polyester, PVC, or other combinations of materials. In other words, all polyurethane leathers are vegan leathers, but not all vegan leathers are polyurethane.

PU leather is one of the most common types of vegan leather, and the one you’re most likely to find while shopping here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet. It is typically made by applying a polyurethane coating to a fabric backing and embossing the surface to create a leather-like texture.

For a closer look at polyurethane upholstery, including how it is made and where it is commonly used, read our guide to PU leather upholstery here.

Why Is the Term “Vegan Leather” Confusing?

The biggest problem with the term is that it tells you what the material is not, but it does not always tell you what the material is. Two upholstery products may both be called vegan leather even though they have different:

Textures
Backing materials
Cleaning instructions
Levels of breathability
Resistance to stains or scratches
Expected lifespans

That is one reason we do not typically use “vegan leather” as a catch-all term in our showrooms, content, or advertisements. While shoppers commonly ask about it, more specific terms such as PU, polyurethane, polyester, vinyl, or performance fabric usually provide more useful information.

The exact material and manufacturer specifications matter more than the "vegan leather" label on its own. For example, the quality and durability of PU leather is vastly superior to PVC leather for the purposes of upholstering furniture, yet both materials are considered vegan leathers. Meanwhile, there are even higher performance proprietary leather alternatives on the market that we will get into below.

Are Leather-Like Performance Fabrics Vegan Leather?

Some furniture manufacturers offer polyurethane-based or polyester-based performance upholstery fabrics that have the smooth appearance and soft feel of leather without using animal hide. Depending on the brand and the seller, these materials may be called vegan leather, faux leather, leather alternatives, or simply performance fabrics. Prominent examples you’ll find here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet include Brisa from UltraComfort USA, Reliapel from HomeStretch, and PlayProof by Jackson Furniture.

UltraComfort’s Brisa performance fabric is a premium polyurethane upholstery designed to provide a soft, leather-like feel while remaining breathable, flexible, wear-resistant and extremely easy to clean. Its construction includes a polyurethane surface with a textile backing.

Meanwhile, HomeStretch offers Reliapel, a soft polyurethane / polyester performance fabric designed with a hydrophobic barrier that helps it resist many everyday spills and stains.

Another example of vegan leather performance fabrics is Jackson Furniture’s PlayProof line. As the name suggests, this performance leather-alternative is specifically made to be kid-friendly and pet-friendly, and to resist the sorts of stains and wear that come with the territory.

Although performance fabrics like these may be described as vegan leathers, they are leaps and bounds beyond the cheap, plasticky feel of many vinyl or PVC leathers. These examples show why it is important not to judge upholstery by the phrase “vegan leather” alone. Modern performance fabrics like these may feel very different from the stiff, shiny vinyl upholstery many shoppers picture when they hear “faux leather” or “pleather”.

What Are The Potential Benefits of Vegan Leather Furniture?

The exact benefits can vary widely based on the material, but leather-like synthetic upholstery may offer several practical advantages.

It Can Be Easier to Clean

Many polyurethane and performance upholstery materials can be easily wiped clean after everyday spills. This can make them appealing for recliners, dining chairs, family rooms, and homes with children. In fact, many of these options are substantially easier to care for and far less maintenance than expensive leather upholstery.

Remember, always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. A cleaner that is safe for one synthetic upholstery may damage another.

It Often Costs Less Than Leather

Leather alternatives generally allow manufacturers to offer a leather-like appearance and feel at a lower cost than furniture fully upholstered in top grain leather. Price and quality can still vary widely, so lower cost does not automatically mean poor quality.

It Offers A Consistent Appearance

Real leather naturally contains variations in color, grain, scars, and markings. Depending on your preference, this can be seen as either a positive or a negative. Synthetic upholstery can provide a more uniform look across an entire sofa, sectional, or recliner.

It Does Not Use Animal Hide

For shoppers who avoid animal-derived materials for ethical or personal reasons, leather alternatives may be worth considering. Especially if you want something beyond traditional fabric upholstery.

That being said, those following strict vegan standards may still want to confirm the full product construction with the manufacturer. Backings, adhesives, dyes, and other components are not always explained by the upholstery name alone.

What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Vegan Leather Furniture?

That being said, vegan leathers also have limitations.

Quality Varies

Because vegan leather is such a broad term, it does not guarantee a certain level of performance. A high-quality polyurethane performance fabric and a basic vinyl covering may both be placed under the same general label, while being of vastly different qualities.

Cheaper Vegan Leathers Can Peel or Crack

Synthetic upholstery can eventually wear, crack, peel, or separate from its backing fabric. How quickly this happens depends on the quality of the material, its construction, cleaning habits, exposure to heat and sunlight, and how heavily the furniture is used. As a general rule, vinyl options are often cheaper and significantly more prone to peeling or cracking than polyurethane or polyester ones.

It is also important not to confuse vegan leather with bonded leather. Bonded leather contains shredded leather fibers mixed with synthetic binders and has rightfully earned a poor reputation for cracking and peeling. We explain the differences in our article about why bonded leather has fallen out of favor with both consumers and retailers alike.

It Is Not Indestructible

Words such as “performance,” “stain-resistant,” and “scratch-resistant” do not mean damage-proof. As with any upholstery, pet claws, sharp objects, body oils, ink, harsh cleaners, and repeated friction can still affect synthetic upholstery. Shoppers with pets or young children should review the manufacturer’s care instructions and warranty rather than relying on a broad marketing label.

“Vegan” Does Not Automatically Mean Environmentally Friendly

It’s important to remember that avoiding the use of animal hides and reducing environmental impact are separate concerns. Most vegan leather products are made partly or entirely from petroleum-based materials.

Their overall environmental impact depends on how they are manufactured, how long they last, whether they can be repaired or recycled, and how often they must be replaced. No single upholstery choice is automatically the most sustainable in every situation.

Is Vegan Leather Good for Furniture?

It certainly can be. A well-made PU leather or leather-like performance fabric may be soft, attractive, easy to maintain, and comfortable for everyday use. It may be especially appealing to shoppers who like the appearance of leather but prefer a lower price or animal-free products. However, the phrase “vegan leather” alone is not enough to judge quality.

Before buying, try to find out what the upholstery is actually made from, how it should be cleaned, and what kind of wear the manufacturer says it can handle. When possible, feel the material in person. Photos and product descriptions cannot always show whether an upholstery feels soft, textured, cool, slick, firm, or breathable.

Vegan Leather: The Bottom Line

Let’s recap.

Vegan leather is a somewhat contradictory and occasionally confusing name for a useful group of leather upholstery alternatives.
Most vegan leather furniture is upholstered with synthetic materials such as polyurethane, polyester, PVC, or a combination of these materials with various backing fabrics.
Vegan leather products range from basic faux leathers like vinyl, to carefully engineered premium performance fabrics designed for softness, breathability, and easier cleaning.

The most important thing to remember is to look beyond the name. Instead of asking only, “Is this vegan leather?” it is more helpful to ask, “What is this upholstery made from, and how is it expected to perform?” The answer will tell you much more about whether the furniture is a good fit for your home.

Have questions about a particular upholstery material? Visit one of our Metro Atlanta and North Georgia furniture stores. Our team can help you compare the texture, care requirements, construction, and expected performance of the upholstery options available on the furniture you are considering.

In the meantime, don’t miss our other helpful fabric and leather upholstery resources here: