How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any space. Customers love its simple styling and the premium quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may have difficulty in discerning the difference between real and faux leather. Here are six helpful ways to tell the difference: 1. The rough edges.
1. Check the label
Real leather has a unique appearance and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it perfect for allergy sufferers. However, not all leather sofas are created to be the same. In fact, some sellers have even been known to pass off PVC as genuine leather.
To help you avoid getting scammed, it's essential to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, and also evaluating the quality material of the upholstery. vegan leather couch with discerning eyes will be more than pleased to provide this information and more, so don't hesitate to ask!
The first step in identifying a genuine leather sofa is to look at the label. It should clearly identify the kind of leather the sofa is covered in, as well as any other materials such as cotton or fabric. Reputable suppliers should also have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you are not satisfied with the purchase.
If the sofa doesn't come with a label, you can still check its authenticity by examining the fabric backing of the sofa or by opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather to see if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are signs that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
Another way to test the integrity of a sofa is feeling its surface using your fingertips. Genuine leather has a smooth and soft texture, whereas faux or bonded leather will be rougher and feel more like suede. Furthermore you will feel a difference between the wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather and the patterns printed on faux leather.
While a genuine leather sofa may cost more than a imitation counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and often end up as family heirlooms through the years. You can reduce the damage that's caused by the sun or ozone, heat, humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark area away from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioners. Leather protection creams can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and supple.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather a sofa is, it's essential to get close and close to it. The smell, the feel and the back are all clear indicators.
Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you contact it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow it to breathe. A product that feels totally smooth may be fake leather.
Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of preparing genuine leather involves buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. But if the leather used to cover your sofa is top-grain leather, it should still be bumpy.
You can also test the leather by running your fingers over it and pressing down into it. If it is real the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little as human skin does. This allows the leather to breathe and prevents it from becoming dry or cracking over time.
Faux leather has a consistent pattern due to the fact that it is printed, whereas genuine leather is prone to imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches, creases and scuffs. A genuine leather sofa is soft, a little stiff when new, but it should not break or dry out over time if it is regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream.
To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of real and synthetic leather to create their furniture. The 'contact' areas, such as seats and armrests, as well as backs, are constructed of real leather, whereas the non-contact parts such as the outside and base arms, are upholstered using a less expensive synthetic fabric made of polyurethane or leather. This is a standard practice, and even if the sofa has authentic leather labels You should examine carefully to determine what the backing is made from, as it is a clear indication that it's not authentic leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to be able to get close and personal with it. Examine the back of the sofa for polyurethane, which is an indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seat is also an excellent indicator of the quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which is the same materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when you touch it. Be aware of bumps under the surface and a strong natural, fresh scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from cheap or fake fakes.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, it's a warning sign. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you see this on genuine top-grain leather it's likely to indicate that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.
Labels and pricing can provide a clue however the only way to be sure is to get up close with the furniture. Genuine leather shouldn't be perfect and feel uneven. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. The suppleness of genuine leather is different from synthetic material, and the temperature of the furniture will tell whether or not it's built with authentic materials.
A leather sofa is a mainstay in interior design for good reason: It's stylish, durable and lasts for a long time. It's also easy to clean and resists spills of liquid which makes it a great option for families with pets or children. The best part about genuine leather it's that it's a timeless style that won't be trendy, and it's still available at a range of prices.
Take a look at Pottery Barn's Turner as a leather sofa that will last a lifetime. While this two-seater is on the pricier side but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features a classic silhouette that won't date quickly. It's a great option for those with smaller spaces, too, as it's available in three sizes and is compact enough to fit into the majority of rooms.
If you're looking for something a bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This couch is a mid-century modern-inspired style with an angular, sleek frame and asymmetrical pillows that combine functionality and form. The frame is made from composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa is made of genuine leather in the seating area, which is a welcome improvement over Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct scent. It's an organic, natural scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa that you're considering buying has a strong, artificial scent it's not real. Most often, this is due to the chemicals used in the process of making the leather. They remain in the furniture after it has been constructed and even after you take it home.
A good way to test the quality of leather sofas is to run your fingers across the surface. Real leather will feel rough and include lumps and bumps, just as human skin. If it feels smooth and cold it's likely fake or it's bonded.
You can also open one of the cushions to look at the back. The faux and bonded hides include a polyurethane back that will support the manufactured upholstery. Genuine leather has a back that is untreated like coarse suede. If the couch has a woven backing it is not real leather.
Peter suggests that if are trying to decide whether the sofa is authentic the best way to determine authenticity is to hold it up against your body and then gently run your fingers across the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingernails slightly dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It also feels warm to the contact.
Another way to determine whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it on its side and look at the back of the sofa. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa while genuine leather is a single 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 before you decide on the right. The more you use your couch and the more you use it, the more it'll need to be cared for. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help to keep the leather's suppleness intact and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.