This Living Room Staple Only Gets Better With Age

Living rooms are where life happens. Big houses, small apartments, it doesn't matter. This is the space where everyone, including family and friends, unwinds and makes memories. Research presented at the 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association reported that people spend nearly 76% of their time between here and their bedrooms. Naturally, we want it to look its best. That's why we find ourselves hunting for that perfect sofa, arranging throws just so, and adding a statement rug or a moody lamp. But no matter how Pinterest-perfect living room decor gets, there's one thing that outshines them all. It doesn't fade, nor does it try too hard. In fact, it only gets better with age. And that's your leather armchair.

Leather has had quite the journey. It first appeared in the Middle Ages. Back then, it was used for dining chairs in noble households. That's when it symbolized taste and endurance. Centuries later, individuals are still drawn to the same qualities. The way leather ages has a charm of its own. You won't see it wearing out. Each change in its appearance, in fact, adds character to it, like smile lines on a face you've known for years. Even the best modern furniture today demands upkeep to stay perfect. Leather doesn't. It invites life to leave its mark. And maybe that's why it still feels so right, century after century.

First of all, let's talk about patina. It's that natural luster that leather expresses as it ages. You don't have to do much; the oils from your skin and the simple act of sitting add to it. Tiny wrinkles form where hands rest. Cracks appear where someone leans back after a long day or where your dog insists on curling up. And just like that, its surface begins to tell stories of family gatherings and talks that stretch past midnight.

Then there's the smell. Old leather has this distinct scent that sits somewhere between cinnamon and cedar. And just when you think it can't get any better, it does. Leather softens with age. It welcomes you each time you sink in. After an exhausting day, there's something almost healing about collapsing into a seat that seems to sigh right along with you. You may experience a release of those feel-good hormones that lift your mood.

And last but not least, a leather armchair is among the living room essentials that never go out of style. It's a shapeshifter in the best way possible. For instance, if your home is modern, it'll add the necessary warmth. If it's rustic and vintage, it'll blend in as if it's been there forever. You can layer it with softer textures, or let it stand alone. Consider positioning it near a bookshelf or in a spot where sunlight can magnify its glory. Pair it with a brass floor lamp or a vintage piece of artwork. You can even transform the chair into a DIY masterpiece with paint. That's the beauty of it. You won't see it chasing trends but defining them.