How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa is a wonderful option for any room. Its leather upholstery is soft and silky. Customers love its simple styling, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may be unable to identifying the difference between real and faux leather. Here are six suggestions to help you distinguish between the two: 1. Rough edges.
1. Check the label
Real leather has a distinct appearance and feel that's difficult to duplicate. It's also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't soak up excess body oils. This makes it ideal for allergy sufferers. However, not all leather sofas are made equally. 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 be aware of the various kinds of leather. This includes determining top-grain and full grain leather, as well evaluating the quality material of the upholstery. Do not hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
The first step to identify authentic leather sofas is to look at the label. The label should clearly indicate the type of leather used to cover the sofa, and any other materials like fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable suppliers 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 verify its authenticity by looking at the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather to see whether there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indications that the leather is fake or bonded.
You can also test the sofa's integrity by touching the surface. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. Bonded or faux leather is coarser and feels more like suede. You should also be able to feel the difference between bumps, wrinkles, 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. It can become an important family heirloom with time. Place your leather sofa in a bright cool and cool room, far from heaters, fireplaces, and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat and the ozone. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and strong.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get close and personal with it. The smell, feel and backing will all be a clear indication of authenticity.
If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel smooth and perfect. This is because animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels smooth suggests that it may be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of making genuine leather includes buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.
You can also test the quality of leather by putting your finger into it and then running it across it. If it is real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little, just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracking in time.
Faux leather is printed and has a uniform pattern however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes scratches and creases. Genuine leather will be supple and a little stiff when it's brand new. But, it should not crack or dry out when you regularly condition it by applying a leather protection cream.
To save money, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of real and synthetic leather for their products. 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 upholstered in the less expensive polyurethane or a synthetic leather. Even if the sofa is advertised as genuine leather, it is best to take a close look at the backing to determine if it is genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, it's important to be able to get close and intimate with it. Examine the back of the sofa for any signs of polyurethane which is a sign that it's not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is an additional indicator of its quality. While the majority of faux leather couches utilize various materials for the upholstery Genuine leather has a distinctive texture that is smooth to the touch and is not entirely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a strong natural, fresh scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from cheap or fake fakes.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, it's a warning sign. This is common in faux leather but if it is seen on genuine top-grain leather, you should avoid the sofa.
Pricing and labels may give you an idea however the only way to know for sure is to get up close to the furniture. Real leather should not be flawless and have a rough feel. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. Genuine leather feels supple and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can also indicate whether it is made of genuine materials.
Leather sofas are a staple of interior design, and with good reason. They're elegant durable, long-lasting and durable. It is also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a great choice for families who have children or pets. The best part about genuine leather, however, is that it's a timeless style that won't ever go out of fashion and is available in a variety of prices.
For a timeless leather couch that can last for a long time, look into the Pottery Barn Turner. While this two-seater model is on the pricier side however, it's constructed with high-end top-grain leather and has a timeless design that won't fade away. This is a great choice for those who have limited space as it comes in with three sizes and will fit in almost any room.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice to consider if you're looking for something contemporary. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has a sleek, angular design with a cylindrical pillow and a sleek frame. While the frame is crafted from plywood, composite and plastic, this sofa features genuine leather only in the seating area, which is a upgrade from Ikea's faux leather couch that earned the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in the year 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Real leather has a distinctive smell. It's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa you're trying to purchase has a strong, artificial scent, it is not genuine. This is often caused by the chemicals used to treat leather. These chemicals can linger on the furniture even after it's been made.
One way to check the quality of a leather sofa is to gently run your fingers across the surface. Genuine leather will have bumps and lumps like the skin of a human. If it feels soft and cold, it's most likely fake or bonded leather.
Alternately, you can open one of the cushions and inspect the back. The faux and bonded leathers will have a polyurethane backing that supports the manufactured upholstery, while genuine leather has an untreated back that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If the couch has a woven backing, it is not genuine leather.
Peter says that the best way to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to lightly run your fingernails across the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingernails duller and the leather should be stretched and wrinkled slightly. real leather couch should also feel warm and supple to the touch.
Reversing the sofa to its back and examining the upholstery will also let you know if the sofa is genuine. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or bond leather.
Consider how much you will 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 maintained. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's softness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.
