How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. Customers love its simple styling and the premium quality genuine leather upholstery.
However, distinguishing real leather from fake leather can be difficult to the untrained eye. Here are six tips to help you distinguish between the two types: 1. Rough edges.
1. Look at the label
Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a distinctive appearance and feel. 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 equally. In fact, some stores have even been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather.
To avoid being ripped off, it's important to know the various types of leather. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask discerning retailers for this information.
The first step to identifying a genuine leather sofa is to check the label. It should clearly state what kind of leather the sofa is covered in, as well as any other material such as fabric or cotton. Reputable suppliers will also have clear policies regarding return or exchange if you are not happy with the purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still confirm its authenticity by examining the upholstery's fabric backing or opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather to see if there are any bumps or imperfections. These are signs that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
Another way to test the quality of a sofa is feeling its surface using your fingertips. Genuine leather has a soft and smooth texture, while bonded or faux leather will be coarser and feel more like suede. You should also be in a position to feel the difference between bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and will be a family heirloom over the years. You can reduce the damage caused by sun or ozone, heat, humidity by placing your leather sofa in a cool, dark area away from fireplaces, heaters and air cooling units. In real leather couch , you can apply leather protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and sturdy.
2. Look to the back
If the label does not identify the type of leather is used in the sofa, it is essential to examine it close. The scent, the feel and the back are all obvious indicators.
Genuine leather may not feel smooth when you feel it. This is because animal hides have a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. best leather sofa that is completely smooth could be fake leather.
Another thing to be aware of is uneven or bumpy surface. Genuine leather is prepared by buffing away a portion of the rough outer layer. If the leather covering your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.
You can also test leather by pressing your finger into it and running it over it. If the leather is genuine it will stretch and wrinkle like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and prevents it from becoming dry or cracking over time.
Faux leather has a consistent pattern because it is printed, however genuine leather has imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases and scratches. Genuine leather is soft and a little stiff when it's new. However, it shouldn't crack or dry out when you treat it regularly by applying a leather protection cream.
To save money, certain furniture manufacturers use a combination of synthetic and real leather for their products. The areas that are 'contact like seats and armrests, as well as backs, are made from genuine leather, while the non-contact portions like the outside and base arms are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. This is a typical practice, and even if a couch is branded with authentic leather labels be sure to examine it closely to see the material that the back is made of, since this will be a quick indicator that it's not genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to be sure a sofa is genuine leather, you need to meet up close and intimate with it. Look at the back of the sofa for polyurethane which indicates that it's not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seating is an indicator of its quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which uses a combination of materials. It has a unique texture and feels smooth when you touch it. Be aware of bumps under the surface, and a distinct, natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from fake or low-quality imitations.
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 see this on genuine top-grain leather, it's likely to indicate that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels can give you an idea however the only way to be sure is to sit down to the furniture. The genuine leather isn't perfect, and it will feel uneven to the feel. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather feels supple and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's made of genuine materials.
Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design, and with good reason. They're elegant durable, long-lasting, and durable. Additionally, it's easy to clean and resists spills of liquid which makes it a great choice for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never be out of fashion. It's also available in a variety of price ranges.
For a classic leather couch that will last for a long time, look into the Pottery Barn Turner. Although this two-seater is more expensive, it's crafted with quality top-quality leather and features a classic silhouette that won't age quickly. This is a great choice for those with a limited space as it comes in three sizes and can fit in the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option if you want something a bit more modern. This couch is a mid-century modern-inspired style with an angular, sleek frame and cylindrical pillows that are a perfect blend of design and function. While the frame is crafted out of composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa has genuine leather in the seating area, which is a step up from Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Real leather has a distinctive scent - a natural, organic skin scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa you are trying to buy has a strong smell of synthetic it is a sign that it isn't genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals used to process the leather, which remain in the furniture after it's been made and even once you take it home.
You can determine the quality of the leather by running your fingers along the surface. Real leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps, just like human skin. If it feels soft and cold, it's most likely faux or bonded leather.
Alternatively, you can take one of the cushions and inspect the back. The faux and bonded hides have a polyurethane back to support the manufactured upholstery. Genuine leather has an untreated back, similar to coarse suede. If you notice a woven backing, it's an obvious sign that the sofa isn't real leather.
Peter suggests that if you are trying to decide whether the sofa is authentic the best way to determine authenticity is to hold it up against your body and run your fingers across the surface. The grit on the leather will make your fingernails duller, and the surface should be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It also feels warm to the touch.
Reversing the sofa to its back and inspecting the upholstery will also determine if it's genuine. The faux leather and bonded leather will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa while genuine leather will be one continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.
Consider how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it should last when choosing the quality. The more you utilize your couch the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using an exclusive leather conditioner to help maintain the suppleness of the leather and keep it from becoming hard and dry.