How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery this sofa looks fantastic in any room. Customers love its simple styling, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
But recognizing real leather from faux leather can be difficult to the untrained eye. Here are six suggestions to help you differentiate between the two: 1. Rough edges.
1. Check the label
Real leather is hard to duplicate. It's unique in appearance and feel. It's also durable, easy to clean and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it ideal for people suffering from allergies. Not all leather sofas, however, are created equal. Some stores have even been famous for using PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types of leather will help you to avoid being scammed. This includes determining top-grain and full grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask discerning retailers for this information.
To determine if you have a genuine leather couch, first glance at the label. The label should clearly indicate the type of leather used to cover the sofa, along with any other materials like fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable sellers should have clear policies on return or exchange in case you aren't happy with your purchase.
If the sofa does not have a label you can still check its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing of the sofa or opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather and see if it has any imperfections or bumps, as these are telltale signs that you're dealing in fake or bonded leather.
You can also test the sofa's integrity by rubbing its surface. Genuine leather has a smooth and soft texture, whereas faux leather or bonded leather will be rougher and feel more like suede. You should also be in a position to discern the difference between wrinkles, bumps, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than a faux counterpart It's a wise investment as it will last longer and often become family heirlooms over the years. You can reduce the damage that's caused by sun as well as ozone, heat and humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark room away from fireplaces, heaters and air cooling units. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and sturdy.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather sofa is, you need to get up close and intimate with it. The scent, the feel, and back will all be a clear indication of authenticity.
Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you touch it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different pores that allow them to breathe. However, a product that is smooth and soft suggests it could be fake leather.
Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of preparing genuine leather requires buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. If the leather covering your sofa is top grain leather, there'll still be some bumps.
You can also test the quality of leather by putting your fingers into it and running it over it. If it's genuine the leather will stretch and wrinkle slightly, just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracked in time.
Faux leather is uniform in pattern because it's printed, however genuine leather will have imperfections that add to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches and creases. A genuine leather sofa will be soft and slightly stiff when new, but it should not break or dry out over time if conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream.
To save money, some furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of real and synthetic leather to make their products. The 'contact areas', like the arm rests, chairs and backs are constructed of real leather while the non-contact parts, such as the base and the outside arms, are upholstered with the less expensive polyurethane or synthetic leather. Even if the couch is labelled as genuine leather, take a close look at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa is genuine leather, you need to get up close and close to it. Feel it, smell it, and then check its back for a polyurethane backing that is a clear indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is an additional indicator of its quality. While most faux leather couches make use of a mixture of fabrics for the upholstery, genuine leather has a distinct texture that feels smooth to the touch and is not completely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps under the surface and a strong, natural scent. These characteristics distinguish real leather from fake or low-quality imitations.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, this is another warning sign. While this is not unusual when using faux leather, if you see this on genuine top-grain leather it's likely a sign that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided.
The price and label may provide an idea but the only certain method of knowing is to feel the furniture. Real leather is not perfect, and it will be a bit uneven to the touch. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather is soft and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be a sign of whether it is made from authentic materials.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design because it's stylish, durable and lasts for a long time. It's also easy to wipe clean and resists liquid spills making it a good option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never be out of style. It's also available in a variety of prices.
Take a look at Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last a lifetime. While this two-seater model is on the pricier side but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features a timeless design that won't age quickly. This is a great choice for those with a limited space, since it comes in with three sizes and will fit in the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice if you want something a bit more contemporary. The couch is a mid-century modern-inspired design with a sleek, angular frame and asymmetrical cushions that blend functionality and form. The sofa is constructed of plywood as well as composite and plastic. However, the leather is only used in the seating area. It is an upgrade from Ikea's faux-leather sofa which was awarded the CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct scent. vegan leather couch 's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa you are looking to purchase has a strong smell of synthetic it is a sign that it isn't genuine. This is often caused by the chemicals used to process leather. These chemicals can remain on furniture long after it's been constructed.
One way to check the quality of leather sofas is to run your fingers across the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps like the skin of a human. If it is smooth and cold it's probably fake or it's bonded.
You can also remove one of the cushions to examine the back. Faux and bonded leather may have a polyurethane backing to support the fabric, whereas genuine leather has a natural back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If you notice a woven backing, this is an obvious sign that the couch isn't genuine leather.
Peter suggests that if are trying to decide whether the sofa is genuine the best method is to put it against your body and gently run your fingers along the surface. The roughness of the leather will dull your fingernails and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It also feels warm to the feel.
Turning the sofa on its back and checking the upholstery will let you know if the sofa is genuine. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather will be a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.
Think about how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it is expected to last before deciding on the best. The more you use your sofa, the more it will require to be cared for. Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's softness and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.