Australia
Leather vs Faux Leather Cushions: Which Should You Choose?
How genuine leather and faux leather compare for bench, banquette and dining chair cushions, and which suits families, pets and cafés.
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Quick answer: For most bench, banquette and dining chair cushions, faux leather is the practical choice: it costs less, wipes clean, resists stains and stays consistent in colour. Genuine leather ages into a patina and breathes better, but it costs more, needs conditioning and marks more easily. Neither suits uncovered outdoor areas; use Sunbrella there.
Leather-look cushions give a kitchen banquette, dining bench or window seat a tailored, easy-care finish. The first choice is whether to go genuine leather or faux leather. Here is how they compare for cushions in Australian homes and hospitality.
Quick comparison
| Faux leather (e.g. Warwick Lustrell, Ultraleather) | Genuine leather | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Cleaning | Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap | Wipe, plus regular conditioning |
| Stains and spills | Resists most spills | Can absorb oils and dark liquids |
| Colour range | Wide and consistent between batches | Varies hide to hide |
| Pets | Does not hold hair; claws can still mark | Scratches show, though they can blend into patina |
| Feel over time | Stays the same | Softens and develops a patina |
| Outdoors | Not for constant sun and rain | Not for outdoors |
When faux leather is the better choice
For families, pets, rentals and cafés, faux leather is hard to beat. Warwick's Lustrell Charisma, Lustrell Aura and Lustrell Ranger are hard-wearing faux leathers from the Australian textile house, and Ultraleather is a premium performance option used in hospitality and marine seating. Colour ideas are in our Lustrell Charisma guide.
When genuine leather makes sense
If you want a piece that ages with character, such as a study bench or a reading-nook cushion that sees gentle use, genuine leather can be lovely. Budget for conditioning every few months and keep it out of direct sun, which dries and fades hides. Email us if you need genuine leather for a specific project.
Getting the cushion right
- Thickness: 50–75 mm for dining chairs and benches keeps you at table height; 100–150 mm for sofa seats.
- Finish: piping gives a crisp, upholstered edge; a Dacron wrap softens the look.
- Shape: banquettes often need L-shaped or trapezoid cushions; measure in millimetres with our measuring guide.
- Foam: foam for Australian orders is made in Australia; firm seat foam keeps a bench cushion from sagging.
How to measure a banquette or dining bench
- Measure the seat length wall to wall, at the front and at the back.
- Measure the depth from the wall or backrest to the front edge.
- For a corner banquette, measure both runs and the depth of each, then choose one L-shaped cushion or two straight ones.
- Decide on the thickness; 50–75 mm keeps you at table height. Our foam thickness guide helps you check.
We cut within ±13 mm of your measurements, so faux leather sits neatly against the wall.
Caring for faux leather
- Wipe spills straight away with a damp cloth.
- Keep cushions out of long stretches of direct sun through north-facing windows.
- Avoid solvents and abrasive cleaners.
- Dust with a soft cloth so grit doesn't scratch the surface.
Lead times
Lustrell cushions in standard shapes take 2–3 weeks to make, and custom shapes from a template 5–6 weeks. Ultraleather is made to order on a quote or pre-order basis and takes 8–12 weeks, so allow extra time for a fit-out.
For cafés and hospitality
Faux leather is the usual choice for café banquettes because it wipes clean between sittings. If you're fitting out a venue, see our café and restaurant cushions page for trade orders. Shipping is free Australia-wide and GST is handled for you.
Piping and finish
Piping in the same colour gives faux leather a crisp, upholstered edge. A contrast piping, such as black on ecru, suits a café-style banquette. Ask for a Dacron wrap if you prefer a softer, rounder edge.
Where to start
Browse leather and faux leather cushions, or go straight to banquette cushions, dining chair cushions or window seat cushions. For an outdoor bench or pool lounger, choose Sunbrella instead. Prefer a woven fabric with stain protection? See WarGuard and OnGuard explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is faux leather or real leather better for a kitchen banquette?
Faux leather, for most homes. It wipes clean, resists spills and costs less, while genuine leather needs conditioning and can absorb oils.
Is faux leather good with dogs and cats?
It does not hold pet hair and wipes clean, although sharp claws can still mark any leather-look surface.
Can faux leather cushions go outside?
Not in uncovered areas. Constant sun and rain shorten its life; use Sunbrella for outdoor cushions.
How do I clean faux leather cushions?
Wipe with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then dry. Avoid solvents, bleach and abrasive cleaners.
What thickness should a leather bench cushion be?
50–75 mm suits dining benches and chairs; sofa seats usually take 100–150 mm.
