How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any room. Customers love its simple styling and its high-end genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may have difficulty discerning the difference between genuine and faux leather. Here are six helpful tips to help you tell the difference: 1. Rough edges.
1. Labels are important
Genuine leather has a distinctive style and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also durable and easy to clean. It doesn't absorb body oils, which makes it a great choice for families with allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equal. Some retailers have even been known for passing off PVC as genuine Leather.
Understanding the different types leather will help you avoid being scammed. This includes determining the differences between full grain and top grain leather, as well as evaluating the quality of the upholstery material. Retailers with discerning eyes will be more than pleased to provide this information, so don't hesitate to inquire!
The first step in identifying the genuine leather sofa is to look at the label. It should clearly indicate what kind of leather the sofa is covered in, as well as any other material such as fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable sellers must have clear policies for return or exchange in case you aren't happy with your purchase.
If the sofa isn't marked with any label but you can figure out its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing or opening up the cushion casing to check for synthetic material. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine if it has any imperfections or bumps, since these are indicators that you're dealing in fake or the leather is bonded.
Another way to test the authenticity of a sofa is the surface of the sofa by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. leather couch , also known as bonded, is coarser and feels more like suede. Additionally you should be able to feel a difference between the bumps and wrinkles of genuine leather and the patterns printed on faux leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a faux counterpart but it will last longer. It could end up becoming a family heirloom over time. Place your leather sofa in a bright cool and cool room, far from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioners. This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity and ozone. Leather protection creams can also be used to keep your leather sofa strong and supple.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label does not identify the type of leather is used in a sofa, it's essential to examine it close. The smell, the feel and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.
Genuine leather may not feel smooth when you touch it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow them to breathe. However, a leather product that is smooth and soft could be fake leather.
Be aware of bumps and uneven surfaces. The preparation of genuine leather includes buffing, which removes some of the rough outer skin. If the material covering your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.
You can also test the leather by running your finger over it and pressing down into it. If it is real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little similar to human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracked over time.
Faux leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern, while genuine leather will have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes scratches, creases and scars. Genuine leather is soft and a little stiff when it is new. However, it won't crack or dry out when you regularly condition it with a leather protection cream.
To cut costs, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather for their products. The areas that are 'contact like seats and armrests as well as backs, are constructed of real leather, while the non-contact areas such as the outside and base arms are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. This is a common practice however, even if the couch has authentic leather labels be sure to examine it carefully to see the material that the back is made of, since this will be a quick indicator that it's not authentic leather.
Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to get up close and intimate with it. Feel it, smell it and look at its back for a backing of polyurethane that is a clear indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indication of its quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which uses an amalgamation of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when you touch it. Look for bumps under the surface as well as a deep natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from cheap or fake imitations.
If the leather is stitched in a single, large piece, that's another obvious sign. While this is not unusual when using faux leather, if you notice this with real top-grain leather, it's most likely a sign that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels may give you a hint, but the only way to be sure is to sit down to the furniture. Genuine leather shouldn't be perfect and not feel uneven. It will also have large wrinkles on the surface and rough edges. The softness of genuine leather also feels distinct from synthetic materials and the temperature of the furniture will tell whether it's constructed using genuine materials.
Leather sofas are an essential part of interior design, and with good reason. They're stylish durable, long-lasting, and durable. It's also easy to clean and resistant to spills of liquid. This makes it an ideal option for families with pets or children. The best part about genuine leather, however, is that it's a timeless style that will never ever go out of fashion, and it's still available at a range of prices.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last for years. Although this two-seater is more expensive, it's crafted with quality top-grain leather and has a classic silhouette that won't date quickly. It's an excellent choice for those with smaller spaces, too, since it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit in the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice for those who want something a bit more contemporary. leather couch is a mid-century modern-inspired design with a sleek, angular frame and asymmetrical pillows that blend functionality and form. The frame is made from plywood, composite and plastic, the sofa is made of genuine leather in the seating area which is a nice improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Look at the smell
Real leather has an unmistakable smell. It's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa that you're trying to purchase has a strong, artificial scent, it is not genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals that were used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on furniture long after it's been constructed.
You can determine the quality of the leather by running your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will have bumps and lumps just like the human skin. If it feels cold and smooth, it's probably faux or bonded.
You can also open one of the cushions and look at the back. leather couch and bonded hides have a polyurethane back to support the manufactured upholstery. Genuine leather has an untreated back and is similar to coarse suede. If the sofa has a woven backing it is not real leather.
Peter says that the best way to tell whether a sofa is real is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingernails duller, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel warm and supple to the touch.
Turning the sofa on its back and checking 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 you are deciding on the type of your leather sofa, consider how much use it is likely to receive and how long you want it to last. The more you use a couch and the more you use it, the more it will need to be cared for. Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help to maintain the leather's suppleness and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.