If you value easy cleaning above everything else, faux leather is the stronger choice: spills wipe away, crumbs sit on the surface and the finish stays consistent. If you want warmth, softness and a relaxed, cosy look, cord is likely to suit you better, particularly the deep, chunky jumbo cords that feel almost like sinking into a cushion.
Both appear widely in our range of modern sofa beds UK sale, and both can be excellent. The difference lies in how your household lives day to day.
Faux leather is a fabric backing coated with a polyurethane or similar finish that mimics the look of leather. Modern versions are softer and more supple than older vinyls, and they come in a wide range of colours, from classic black and brown to soft greys and creams.
Cord, or corduroy, is a woven fabric with raised ribs, known as wales, running along its length. Fine cords have narrow ribs and a neat look, while jumbo cords have wide, plush ribs that create a strong, tactile texture. Most cord used on sofa beds today is polyester or a polyester blend, which helps with durability and colour fastness.
If you are comparing upholstery across the wider range, browsing our modern sofas UK sale collection gives a helpful sense of how each finish looks on different shapes.
Cord feels soft and warm the moment you sit down. The raised ribs give a slightly cushioned texture, and jumbo cords in particular create a relaxed, lounging feel. They suit households who like to curl up with a blanket in the evening.
Faux leather feels smooth and supportive. It can feel cool at first and takes a moment to warm to body temperature. In summer, especially in south facing rooms, it can feel slightly sticky against bare legs, which a throw easily solves.
On sofa beds where guests sleep directly on the cushions, such as click clack and futon designs, the upholstery becomes part of the sleeping surface. Cord feels warmer and keeps sheets in place well because of its texture. Faux leather is smoother, so fitted sheets may shift during the night, and it can feel cool on winter evenings. A mattress topper solves both issues.
On pull out designs with a separate mattress, the cover has little effect on sleeping comfort. In that case, base your choice on seating comfort and practicality.
This is where faux leather excels. Most spills can be wiped away with a damp cloth, and dust, crumbs and pet hair sit on the surface rather than working into a weave. For households with young children, that convenience is hard to overstate.
Cord needs a little more attention. The ribs can trap crumbs and dust, so regular vacuuming with a brush attachment is important. Spills should be blotted quickly rather than rubbed, as rubbing can flatten the pile. Many polyester cords respond well to spot cleaning, but always follow the care label and test any product on a hidden area first.
Faux leather copes well with sticky fingers, spilled drinks and muddy feet. Its weakness is sharp objects: toys with hard edges, buckles and claws can puncture or scratch the surface, and these marks are difficult to repair.
Cord is more forgiving of small knocks and does not show scratches in the same way. However, pet hair clings to the ribs and needs regular removal. Cats may find the texture tempting to scratch, although tightly woven cords resist snagging better than loose weaves.
Dogs bring their own considerations. Muddy paws wipe off faux leather easily, but claws on a jumping dog can leave marks. A washable throw over a cord sofa bed protects the ribs from mud and hair and can go straight into the washing machine.
British homes spend much of the year in cool or damp weather, and that affects how upholstery feels. Cord feels warm and inviting through autumn and winter, which makes it a natural fit for older homes with draughts or rooms that take time to heat.
Faux leather stays cooler and can feel more comfortable in warm, sunny rooms or modern, well insulated flats. In winter, a throw or a few cushions keep it feeling welcoming.
Upholstery changes how a room sounds as well as how it looks. Cord, with its raised ribs and soft pile, absorbs a little noise, which can make a room with wooden or laminate floors feel calmer and less echoey. This is especially noticeable in modern flats with hard surfaces and minimal soft furnishings.
Faux leather reflects sound rather than absorbing it, and it can make a faint creak or squeak as people shift position. Neither is a problem in itself, but if your living room already feels lively, a cord sofa bed may help soften it. If the room is full of rugs, curtains and cushions, faux leather adds a welcome crisp contrast.
Colour behaves differently on the two finishes. On faux leather, colour is flat and even, so the shade you see is the shade you get in almost any light. Black, chocolate brown and slate grey are dependable choices for family rooms, while cream and white look fresh but need more frequent wiping.
On cord, the ribs catch light and shadow, so colours look richer and slightly varied across the surface. Warm, earthy shades such as tobacco, terracotta and moss green suit cord particularly well because the texture adds depth. Paler cords look soft and inviting but show marks and flattening more readily than mid tones.
Whichever material you choose, look at it in your own room’s light if you can. A north facing room will cool colours down, while a south facing one will warm them up.
Good quality faux leather keeps its colour and finish well, but it does not develop the patina of real leather. Over many years, heavily used areas may begin to crack or peel, particularly if exposed to direct heat or strong sunlight. Keeping it away from radiators and wiping it with gentle cleaners helps it last.
Cord is generally hard wearing, especially polyester blends. Over time, the ribs may flatten slightly where people sit most. Rotating cushions, where possible, and brushing the pile helps keep wear even. Darker shades hide wear better than very pale ones.
Faux leather brings a clean, structured look. Black and dark brown suit modern, monochrome or industrial schemes, while tan and cognac warm up Scandinavian and mid century rooms. It pairs well with metal, glass and smooth wood finishes.
Cord has a softer, more relaxed presence and has become closely associated with contemporary, retro inspired interiors. Warm shades such as caramel, rust, mustard and oatmeal look especially good, and deep greens and blues feel cosy and grounded. Cord pairs naturally with textured rugs, wooden furniture and plants.
If you want to mix materials in one room, consider pairing a cord sofa bed with a smooth armchair, or the reverse. Our range of modern fabric sofas UK and our leather sofas UK sale collection both offer pieces that sit comfortably alongside either finish.
Faux leather tends to suit busy families with young children, households who eat in the living room, rental homes where easy upkeep matters and anyone who prefers a crisp, modern look.
Cord tends to suit couples and adult households, homes with a relaxed, layered style, colder rooms and anyone who values comfort and texture above all else. It also suits spare rooms where guests sleep directly on the cushions.
If young children are the main factor in your decision, our guide on choosing a sofa for a UK home with young children covers fabric choices, shapes and safety considerations in more detail.
Neither material is better in every situation. Faux leather offers convenience and a tidy look, while cord offers warmth, softness and character. Think about your most common mess, the temperature of the room and how you like to relax, and the right choice usually becomes clear. Both are well represented across our collections at Furniture in Fashion.
Faux leather is easier, as most spills wipe away with a damp cloth. Cord needs regular vacuuming and prompt blotting of spills.
Cord feels warmer and softer, especially in winter. Faux leather feels cooler at first and warms up with body heat.
Cord resists visible scratching better than faux leather, but pet hair clings to the ribs and needs regular removal.
With heavy use or exposure to heat and sunlight, faux leather can eventually crack. Gentle cleaning and careful placement help it last much longer.
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