Couch Buying Guides

Simpli Home Livingston Leather Sofa Review: Affordable, Pet-Friendly, & Stylish!

Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Simpli Home Livingston Leather Sofa Review: Affordable, Pet-Friendly, & Stylish!

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    Finding the right sofa isn't easy, especially while balancing style, durability, and budget. The stakes were high for busy professional Sophie and her golden retriever, Lloyd. She needed something chic, comfortable, and tough enough to withstand a little Lloyd.  

    That’s where I came in.

    As the Couch Whisperer, I help people cut through the noise and find the perfect sofas for their unique lifestyles. For Sophie, I knew just the one. With eco-friendly leather, mid-century style, and a reasonable price tag, the Simpli Home Livingston Sofa. But was it the perfect fit? Let’s find out.

    The Struggle of Finding the Best Value Leather Sofa

    Shopping for a leather sofa is overwhelming. Between the overwhelming price tags, deciphering the difference between 'top grain' and 'full grain', and choosing a color, it can be a lot. Especially when you’re trying to balance luxury and practicality.

    Sophie’s journey to find the ideal leather couch centered around four main criteria, each with their own challenges:

    Affordable Price Tag

    "Everything I looked at was $10,000. And as we're saving for a wedding, couldn’t justify the change, but also we needed something new," Sophie shared, wondering if a high-quality leather sofa at a mid-range price was even possible.

    Durability for Everyday Life

    Leather is pretty tough, but with Lloyd's muddy paws, shedding fur, and drool, Sophie needed a sofa that wouldn’t show wear and could handle the realities of pet ownership.

    Functional and Stylish

    Sophie wanted a sofa that wasn’t just practical but also stylish enough to elevate her living room. “I needed something beautiful but functional,” she explained—something that balanced eco-consciousness and family-friendly design.

    Easy Maintenance

    After struggling with fabric couches that clung to pet hair and stains, Sophie turned to leather for its easy maintenance but needed reassurance it could truly simplify her life. "I love the look of leather, but as someone who grew up with leather couches, I know the maintenance," Sophie said.

    If these pain points sound familiar, you’re not alone. Sophie’s solution—the Simpli Home Livingston Sofa—might just check all your boxes, too. Let’s break it down.

     

    Best Leather Sofas Under $2000

    Product Spotlight: The Livingston Sofa from Simpli Home

    The Livingston Sofa combines thoughtful design, eco-conscious materials, and practical features. Here’s what makes it stand out:

    Dimensions

    At 76 inches wide, the Livingston from Simpli Home is compact yet spacious enough for smaller living rooms, apartments, or condos.

    Comfort

    Its plush, 7-inch-thick cushions, featuring high-density foam wrapped in feathers, provide medium-soft support for a cozy, sink-in feel.

    Genuine Kind Leather

    Kind Leather is an eco-friendly Brazilian leather designed with sustainability in mind. It’s crafted through an innovative process that minimizes waste by repurposing leftover materials from traditional leather production.

    This approach reduces the environmental impact of new leather, while retaining the natural grain and unique texture.

    Kind Leather balances durability and luxury, offering a soft, supple feel while maintaining its resistance to wear and tear. For eco-conscious buyers, it’s a guilt-free way to enjoy the timeless appeal of genuine leather furniture without compromising on quality or sustainability.

    Built to Last

    With a corner-blocked solid wood sofa frame, sinuous springs, and high-resilience webbing, the Livingston supports up to 600 pounds. Sophie noted, “The leather held up even after muddy paws and drool—it still looks great.”

    Quick Assembly

    Delivered in a single box, the Simpli Home couch takes less than 10 minutes to set up. Sophie appreciated its raised frame, which makes cleaning underneath easy, and the removable cushions for fluffing and maintaining cleanliness.

     

    A Real-Life Test: Sophie’s Experience with the Livingston Sofa

    Sophie and Lloyd put the Livingston Leather Sofa through its paces, testing its durability, design, and functionality. Here’s how it performed:

    1. Pet-Friendly Features

    Leather was a game-changer for Sophie, who found it much easier to maintain than fabric. “When Lloyd got sick and drooled all over the couch, I just wiped it off with a damp cloth and applied a bit of leather protectant. It looked as good as new,” she shared. The removable cushions also made cleaning fur and crumbs effortless.

    2. Compact and Stylish Design

    The mid-century modern design and compact frame blended perfectly with Sophie’s space. “It doesn’t overwhelm the room but still feels spacious enough for me and Lloyd to stretch out,” she explained. The sofa’s raised legs added practicality, allowing Sophie to easily clean underneath and keep her apartment tidy.

    3. Eco-Conscious Choice

    Sustainability was a priority for Sophie, making Kind Leather a standout feature. The leather’s eco-friendly production process and Simpli Home’s tree-planting initiative aligned with her values. “It’s not just about how the couch looks or feels. Knowing it’s made with environmentally friendly practices made the decision even easier,” Sophie said.

    4. Comfort with a Caveat

    Sophie loved the plush sofa cushions and medium-soft firmness, perfect for lounging, "The depth of the cushion is perfect—I can sit back, cross my legs, and watch TV. It’s how I’m most comfortable."

    However, she noted, “The cushions aren’t reversible, and they tend to shift forward when you scoot out of the couch.” She suggested adding Velcro strips to keep them in place—a minor adjustment for an otherwise comfortable sofa.

     

    Best value leather sofa

    Pros and Cons of the Livingston Sofa

    Pros

    • Affordable without sacrificing quality.
    • Eco-friendly materials and manufacturing.
    • Easy-to-clean leather, ideal for pet owners.
    • Stylish design fits smaller spaces.
    • Quick and seamless assembly.

    Cons

    • Cushions aren’t reversible.
    • Cushions may shift forward when you scoot, but this is easily fixable with Velcro strips.

     

    Leather Sofa Care and Maintenance Tips

    To keep your Simpli Home Leather Sofa in top shape:

    • Regular Cleaning: Wipe spills immediately with a damp cloth. Use a leather cleaner or protectant monthly.
    • Fluff Cushions: Rotate and fluff removable cushions to maintain their shape.
    • Vacuum Underneath: The raised frame makes it easy to clean beneath the sofa, so take advantage of the accessibility.

    Livingston Sofa Review: What’s the Verdict?

    Is it the best affordable leather couch? I think it's certainly a contender! The Simpli Home Livingston Sofa delivers on its promises, offering a rare combination of style, comfort, and eco-consciousness for under $2,000. For Sophie—and homeowners in a similar situation—it proved to be perfectly affordable and functional. Whether navigating life with pets or managing a small space, the Livingston Sofa delivers quality that lasts without stretching your budget.

     

    Budget Leather Sofa

    Simpli Home Livingston Leather Sofa FAQs

    1. How much does the Livingston Sofa cost?

    The Livingston Sofa is priced at $1,699, making it a great option for those seeking affordable leather couches.

    2. Is the Livingston Sofa pet-friendly?

    Yes, its genuine leather upholstery is resistant to spills and stains, making it ideal for homes with pets like Lloyd.

    3. How easy is it to assemble?

    Assembly is quick and easy, taking less than 10 minutes. All you need to do is attach the legs, fluff the cushions, and enjoy your new sofa.

    4. What is Kind Leather?

    Kind Leather is a sustainable Brazilian leather crafted with minimal waste, highlighting its natural grain and texture for a balance of luxury and eco-friendliness.

    5. Is it comfortable for everyday use?

    Yes, the Livingston is designed for daily lounging, with supportive cushions and soft armrests perfect for movie nights or casual get-togethers.

    6. How durable is the Livingston Sofa?

    With a solid wood frame and high-resilience webbing, this sofa is built to last for years.

    7. Does the Livingston Sofa fit in small spaces?

    Yes, its compact 76-inch width makes it ideal for apartments, condos, and smaller living rooms.

     

    Shop the Livingston Leather Sofa Now

    A smiling man with short brown hair and a beard stands on a beach during sunset. He is wearing a black short-sleeved shirt with small white dots. The ocean and sandy shore are in the background, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
    Alex Back
    Couch.com CEO & Founder
    Alex Back is the founder and CEO of Couch.com. Previously, he was the co-founder and COO of the popular furniture brand, Apt2B, which was acquired by a large US retail furniture chain in 2018. He worked to integrate Apt2B, one of the very first online furniture retailers on the Shopify platform, into the operations of the 100 year old larger business entity and was deeply immersed in the business operations of both online and brick and mortar retail for 4 years before leaving in 2023 to start Couch.com. Working in various parts of the furniture industry since 2004, he has 20 years experience in retail sales, e-commerce, marketing, operations, logistics and wholesale manufacturing and distribution. He has worked extensively with partners such as Costco, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon and his work has been highlighted in many publications such as Forbes, CNN and HGTV, among others. Alex is delighted to bring his experience and authority on couches and the furniture industry to this platform, along with many of his industry colleagues who are helping him keep the Couch.com audience informed and engaged on a daily basis.
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