How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any space. People love its simple design, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may have difficulty in discerning the difference between real and fake leather. Here are six tips to help you recognize the difference: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are crucial
Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a distinctive feel and look. It's also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it ideal for allergy sufferers. However not all leather sofas are made to be the same. Some retailers are even known for passing off PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types of leather will help you to avoid being scammed. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
To determine if you've got a genuine leather couch, you should first look at the label. The label should clearly state the kind of leather used to cover the sofa and any other materials, such as fabric or cotton. Additionally, reliable sellers must have clear policies for returning or exchanging items in the event you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't come with an identifier, you can still work out the authenticity of the sofa by examining the fabric backing or opening up the cushion casing to look for synthetic materials. You can also check the texture of the leather and determine whether it has any imperfections or bumps, because these are indicators that you're dealing in fake or leather that has been bonded.
Another way to test the authenticity of a sofa is touching its surface by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather has a soft, smooth texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is more coarse and feels like suede. In addition, you should be able to feel a difference between the bumps and wrinkles of genuine leather as well as the printed patterns on faux leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a faux counterpart but it will last longer. It could end up becoming an important family heirloom with time. You can limit the damage caused by the sun or ozone, heat, humidity by placing your leather sofa in a cool, dark area away from heaters, fireplaces and air conditioning. In addition, you can apply leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and sturdy.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't indicate what kind of leather is present in a sofa, it is crucial to look it up close. The smell, the feel and the back are all obvious indicators.
vegan leather sofa may not feel smooth when you feel it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of 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 requires buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. But if the material used to cover your sofa is top-grain leather it should still have a few bumps.
You can also test the leather by running your finger over it and pressing into it. If the leather is genuine it will stretch and wrinkle like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracking as time passes.
Faux leather has a uniform pattern because it's printed, while genuine leather is prone to imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases, scratches and scuffs. A good genuine leather sofa is soft and slightly stiff when it's new, but it should not crack or dry out over time if regularly maintained with a specific leather protection cream.
To save money, certain furniture manufacturers use a combination of synthetic and real leather for their products. The contact areas, such as seats, armrests, and backs, are constructed of real leather, while the non-contact areas like the outside and base arms, are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. Even if a couch is labeled as genuine leather, it is best to examine the back to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can help you identify a genuine leather sofa, but it is important to look it over. Smell it, touch it and look at its back for a backing made of polyurethane, which is a clear indicator that it is not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seating is an excellent indicator of the quality. While the majority of faux leather couches utilize various fabrics for the upholstery, genuine leather has a unique texture that is smooth to the touch and is not entirely uniform in color and shade. Be aware of bumps on the surface and a rich natural, fresh scent. These characteristics differentiate real leather from imitations or cheap leather.
Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched in a long, continuous piece. While this is not unusual when using faux leather, if you observe this with genuine top-grain leather it's likely to indicate that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided.
The price and label may give you an idea, but the only sure way to know is to touch the furniture. Genuine leather isn't perfect, and it should feel uneven to the touch. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. Genuine leather is soft and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be a sign of whether it is made from authentic materials.
A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay because it's elegant, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it an ideal choice for families who have children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless design that will never go out of fashion. It's also available in different price ranges.
For a timeless leather couch that will stand the test of time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. While this two-seater is priced higher but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features a classic silhouette that won't age quickly. This is a great option for those with limited space, since it comes in three sizes and can fit in most rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice for those who want something a bit more contemporary. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an elegant, angular style with a cylindrical pillow and a sleek frame. While the frame is crafted out of composite, plywood and plastic, this sofa features genuine leather only in the seating area which is a improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Real leather has a distinctive scent. It's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa that you're considering buying has a strong synthetic smell it's not real. This is often caused by the chemicals used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on the furniture even after it's been manufactured.
A great way to determine the quality of leather sofas is to gently run your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps like the human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it's probably faux or bonded.
You can also open up one of the cushions and look at the backing. False and bonded hides include a polyurethane back that will help support the upholstery. Genuine leather has a back that is untreated and is similar to coarse suede. If you notice a woven backing, this is an obvious sign that the couch isn't real leather.
Peter says that the best method to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The roughness of the leather will dull your fingernails and the leather should be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It will also feel warm and supple to the touch.
Another way to tell whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it over on its side and check the back of the upholstery. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or the bonded leather.
When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, take into consideration how much use it will receive and how long you want it to last. The more you use your sofa the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using an exclusive leather conditioner to help maintain the suppleness and softness of the leather and to prevent it from becoming dry and hard.