How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa is a wonderful addition to any space. The leather upholstery is incredibly soft. Customers adore its simple styling and high-quality, genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may have difficulty identifying the difference between real and faux leather. Here are six helpful tips to help you recognize the difference: 1. The rough edges.
1. Take a look at the label
Genuine leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a unique feel and look. It's also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it perfect for allergy sufferers. Not all leather sofas are made equal. In fact, some stores have been known to pass off PVC as genuine leather.
To help you avoid getting scammed, it's essential to know the various types of leather. This includes determining the differences between top and full grain leather, as well as evaluating the quality of the upholstery material. Do not hesitate to ask discerning retailers for this information.
To determine if you have a genuine leather sofa, first glance at the label. It should clearly state what kind of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other materials such as cotton or fabric. 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 confirm 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 to see if there are any bumps or imperfections. These are indications that the leather is fake or is bonded.
You can also test the sofa's integrity by touching the surface. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is more coarse and feels like suede. You should also be able discern the difference between wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a faux counterpart, but it's going to last longer. leather couch with chaise could become a family heirloom over time. Place your leather sofa in a bright cool, cool space, away from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioners. This will help reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity and Ozone. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and sturdy.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label doesn't inform you what kind of leather a sofa is, it's important to get up close and close to it. The smell, the feel, and the back are all obvious indicators.
If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel perfectly smooth. This is because animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow them to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth could be fake leather.
Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away the rough outer layer. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there should still be some bumps.
You can also test the leather by running your finger over it and pressing down into it. If it's real the leather will stretch and wrinkle slightly similar to human skin. This means that it is capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather doesn't get dry and crack with time.
Faux leather is printed and therefore has a uniform pattern however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes scratches and creases. A genuine leather sofa is soft and slightly stiff when new, however it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream.
To save money, certain furniture makers make use of a mixture of synthetic and real leather to create their furniture. The 'contact areas', like the arm rests, chairs and backs, are constructed from real leather while the non-contact parts, such as the base and the outside arms, are covered with a less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a standard practice however, even if a couch is branded with a genuine leather label, you should check carefully to determine the material that the back is made of, as this will be a quick indicator that it's not genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa is genuine leather it's essential to get up close and personal with it. Take a whiff, rub it, and then check its back for a backing made of polyurethane which is an obvious indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is a further indication of its quality. While the majority of faux leather couches utilize different fabrics for the upholstery Genuine leather has a distinctive texture that is soft to the touch. It isn't entirely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a rich natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from low-grade or artificial fakes.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, it's a obvious sign. While this is not uncommon when using faux leather, if you notice this on genuine top-grain leather it's likely to be a sign that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels may give you an idea, but the only way to determine is to get up close to the furniture. Real leather is not perfect, and it will feel rough to the touch. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. The suppleness of genuine leather also feels distinct from synthetic materials and the temperature of the furniture will reveal whether or not it's built with authentic materials.
A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay for a reason: It's stylish, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to wipe clean and resists liquid spills which makes it a great choice for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless design that will never be out of style. It's also available in different price ranges.
For a classic leather couch that can endure the test of time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. Although this two-seater is priced higher however, it's constructed with high-end top-grain leather and has a timeless design that won't age quickly. It's a great choice for those who have small rooms, too, because it comes in three sizes and is small enough to fit into most rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice to consider if you're looking for something a bit more contemporary. The couch is a mid-century modern design with an elegant, angular frame and cylindrical pillows that are a perfect blend of design and function. The frame is made from composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa has genuine leather in the seating area which is a welcome improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Look at the smell
Real leather has a distinctive scent. It's an organic, natural scent that cannot be duplicated. If the sofa that you're looking to purchase has a strong artificial smell it's not real. Often this is caused by the chemicals used to process the leather. They remain in the furniture after it's been constructed and even after you have it at home.
A great way to determine the quality of leather sofas is to gently run your fingers over the surface. Real leather will feel rough and have bumps and lumps like human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it is most likely fake or bonded leather.
Alternatively, you can take one of the cushions and examine the backing. False and bonded hides have a polyurethane back to support the manufactured upholstery. True leather has an untreated back and is similar to coarse suede. If the couch is backed by a woven fabric that is not genuine leather.
Peter says that the best way to determine whether a sofa is real is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The roughness of the leather should make your fingers a little dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It should also feel warm and supple to the touch.
Reversing the sofa to its back and examining the upholstery will determine if it's genuine. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic-coated faux or bonded leather.
When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, take into consideration how much use it is likely to receive and how long you'd like it to last. The more you use a sofa, the more it will need to be taken care of. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's suppleness intact and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.