Are you searching for a new leather wallet or furniture piece but not sure of the best color? Thankfully many colors for leather are available to suit any style. I will discuss the options to help you choose.
Colors for leather are the various pigments and hues of natural and synthetic leather material. Brown, black, tan, and gray tones are popular colors for leather, but options are nearly limitless. Stains, dyes, and paint can be used to change or restore the color of leather to keep it looking new.
Do you have a leather item you’d like to match your outfit or mood? Could your leather couch use a worn spot repair or a color rejuvenation? Learning about the various colors for leather can help you better decide which shades suit your needs best.
What Are Colors for Leather?
Colors for leather are the different shades and pigments available for adding character and appeal to tanned animal hides. Browns, blacks, tans, grays, and creams are popular colors for leather, but the possibilities are nearly endless when considering the choices available. Leather is colored through dying and toning to create different hues and styles for furniture, clothing, vehicle interiors, and more.
What We’ll Explore
- Clearing up Myths & Misconceptions
- History of Coloring Leather
- Colors for Leather Overview Table
- Popular Colors for Leather
- How To Color Leather
- Is It Better to Dye or Paint Leather?
- Leather Color Restoring for Leather
- My Personal Research on Colors for Leather
- Helpful Insights on Leather Colors
- Key Takeaways
Clearing Up Myths & Misconceptions
A common myth about leather is that it is only available in black and brown. These may be popular shades, but it is possible to change leather to any color of the rainbow. Another misconception surrounding leather color is that it cannot be changed once it is tanned and processed.
However, steps can be taken to prepare leather for dyeing a different color; it just helps to know the processes used for tanning to determine the best leather coloring products.
History of Coloring Leather
Leather has been made and utilized for over 400,000 years, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that people started using mineral dye to color leather. It was incorporated into the tanning process using a mineral mix which saturated the leather and contributed to its durability and softness.
Since then, more environmentally friendly methods have been developed to color leather, leaving it soft and supple while preserving the original technique. According to researchers Muros, Ravenel, Croatt, Kerfoot, Smith, Pasta, Kingery-Schwartz, and Ritchie, it’s essential to be aware of present-day tanning processes when preparing to dye leather because it can destabilize leather.
Colors for Leather Overview Table
| Characteristic | Details |
| Aniline dye | Water soluble, synthetic, softest finish, brings out natural grain for high-quality hides |
| Semi-aniline dye | Lower pigment, consistent color, protective coating |
| Wood stain | Easily absorbed, darker intense color, protective seal |
| Leather stain | Surface coloring, pigment, less color depth |
| Fabric dye | Non-toxic, highly pigmented, many color options |
| Leather paint | Formulated for leather, durable, highly pigmented |
| Acrylic paint | Affordable, many color options, highly pigmented, easy to use |
Popular Colors for Leather
Various colors can be used to dye leather. From natural pigments to brighter hues, they all have different applications and purposes. The most popular colors for leather include:
- Browns – cognac, caramel, dark brown, chestnut, chocolate, walnut, espresso, tobacco
- Blacks – Havana, ebony
- Whites – off-white, cream, vanilla, beige, tan, desert, camel
- Reds – burgundy, rust, wine
- Oranges – hazelnut, saffron
- Grays – light gray, storm cloud, slate, charcoal
- Others – blues, yellows, greens
The best leather color depends on the item, but natural shades like browns and blacks are the most popular because they age better and don’t show wear and tear as much as other bright colors.
Best Color for a Leather Sofa
A leather sofa is one of the most frequently used leather items, so choosing a color should be based on personal preference and what will age better. The best colors for a leather sofa include black and brown because they’re easy to match with most decors, are easy to look at, and won’t show wear and tear as much as lighter leather colors. Black and brown are also the most timeless, practical, and versatile.
Best Color for Leather Car Seats
Leather car seats are an investment and contribute to one’s comfort while driving, and the best colors depend on a couple of factors. White is a good choice for a leather interior because it is durable, reflective, ages better than brown or black, and makes a statement. Black is the most common, is also durable, and resistant to dirt and stains.
Best Color for Leather Jackets
The best colors for leather jackets are browns and blacks. These are the easiest colors to pair with outfits, can be worn daily, and are the easiest to find and care for. Browns and blacks also tend to be the most affordable because they involve less processing and dyeing as they’re closer to natural leather color than other colors.
Best Color for Leather Shoes
Leather shoes generally look best in browns and blacks. These are trendy colors in shoe stores and for everyday wear, as they match well and don’t show scuffs and damage as much as lighter color leather shoes can.
How To Color Leather
There are multiple ways to color leather, so let’s review methods for how it’s done.
Dying/Staining Leather
Dyeing or staining leather can be accomplished by soaking it in big barrels of aniline dyes, dip dyeing, or using tools like wool daubers, sponges, or paint brushes. Wood stain, leather stain, and even fabric dye can be used for dyeing and staining leather.
Soaking and dipping are best for large leather projects, while smaller items can be hand-dyed with tools. Each method has pros and cons; overall, dyeing or staining leather is about getting a uniform color.
Check out this helpful video from Weaver Leather Supply on hand-dyeing leather.
Painting Leather
Another surprising option for coloring leather is painting! Leather and acrylic paints can be easily applied to change the color or repair the appearance of any leather item. Leather paint is a bit more durable and specific to painting leather.
Although both leather and acrylic paint will still require a sealant or topcoat to prevent cracking and fading. Leather does require a few preparation steps before painting, but one can create a beautiful masterpiece on any leather item for a truly unique look.
Restoring Leather Color
Over time and daily use, leather items can experience fading of color. Thankfully products are available for restoring leather color. Various colors of balms, liquids, and creams can be used with applicators or sponges to make worn leather furniture, jackets, shoes, and even car seats look new.
Tips for Choosing the Best Leather Restorer
Usually, the most common need for coloring leather is to restore worn or faded leather. Here are some suggestions for choosing the best leather restorer.
- Color matching – Choose the right (or closest) color to the leather product that requires repair. If the exact match cannot be found, many brands will create custom colors if you send a sample.
- Restoration type – Choose the restore or repair kit based on the type of fix needed. Scuffs, stains, and scratches require a different type of product than tears and holes.
- Leather type – Not every leather restorer works for every type of leather. Choose the product based on the type of leather that needs restoring, genuine leather versus faux or PU leather, as different finishes may not absorb correctly with the wrong product.
My Personal Research on Colors for Leather
To learn more about colors for leather, I polled several friends and family about their favorite leather items and colors. Here is a table representing the percentages of their responses and what I learned from the poll about what colors for leather people like most.
| Leather Item and Color | Times Selected |
| Multicolor leather purse | 8% |
| Chocolate brown leather couch | 4% |
| Black leather jacket | 11% |
| Purple leather purse | 8% |
| Brown leather boots | 15% |
| Burgundy leather wallet | 4% |
| Red leather shoes | 8% |
| Brown leather coin tray | 4% |
| Multicolor leather bracelet | 12% |
| Brown leather recliner | 15% |
| Tan leather gloves | 11% |
Helpful Insights on Leather Colors
What is the best leather color?
The best leather color depends on the item, but natural shades like browns and blacks are the most popular because they age better and don’t show wear and tear as much as other bright colors.
What colors work with leather?
Several colors work with leather, including browns, blacks, whites, blues, greens, oranges, and reds: it’s all about the look one wants to convey. Warm colors like yellows and oranges work well with leather’s natural undertones, while cooler colors like blues and greens can create a more calming aesthetic.
Can you stain leather a different color?
Yes, leather can be stained a different color through various techniques. Wood and leather stains and even fabric dyes can be used to change the color of leather.
What kind of stain do you use on leather?
Wood stain and leather stain can both be used on leather. Wood stain is easily absorbed and creates a darker, more intense color. Leather stain provides a surface coating that has less color depth.
Key Takeaways
- Colors for leather include browns, blacks, whites, reds, oranges, grays, and many others.
- There are multiple techniques and coloring products for leather.
- The best colors for high-use leather items are browns and blacks.
In Closing
Any leather item is an investment that should last a very long time; therefore, choosing a color that fits is best. If there’s no likable color, thankfully, there are many options for changing colors for leather. From simple dyeing with leather or clothing dye to painting with leather or acrylic paint, many options exist for creating a leather piece everyone will love.
Other Resources:
- Leather Buying Guide – How to Find What You Want
- Leather Strips – Options, Thicknesses, and How To Use Them
- Leather Thickness Gauge and Measuring Tools – Measuring Up
- Rub Rating of Leather – What To Look For and Why
- Leather Vs Cloth Seats – Pros, Cons, and Making the Choice
- Does Leather Shrink? – Factors and Things To Be Aware Of
- Leather Patina – How It’s Formed and Gets Better with Time
- Grades Of Leather – A Crafter’s Guide to Quality and Uses
- Leather Kits – Choosing the Right One for Your Project
- Leather Scraps – Great Uses and Fun Projects
- Leather Interior and Auto Upholstery – Helpful Tips To Know
