How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa is a great addition to any space. The leather upholstery is buttery soft. Customers love its simple style and top-quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may have difficulty in discerning the difference between real and fake leather. Here are six useful tips to help you tell the difference: 1. Rough edges.
1. Check the label
Real leather is hard to duplicate. It has a unique appearance and feel. It's also durable and easy to clean. It also doesn't absorb excess body oils, making it a perfect choice for those with allergies. However not all leather sofas are made equally. Some stores have even been recognized for presenting PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types of leather will help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the upholstery. Retailers with discerning eyes will be more than happy to provide you with this information, so don't hesitate to ask!
To determine if you have a genuine leather sofa, you should first look at the label. The label should clearly identify the type of leather used to cover the sofa, along with any other materials such a fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable suppliers should have clear policies on exchange or return in the event that you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have an identifier, you can still work out its authenticity by examining the fabric backing or by opening a cushion casing to check for synthetic material. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indications that the leather is fake or bonded.
Another method to determine the integrity of a sofa is touching its surface using your fingertips. Genuine leather has a smooth and soft texture, while faux or bonded leather will be more coarse and feel more like suede. You should also be able feel the difference between the 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 could become a family heirloom over time. Place your leather sofa in an airy cool and cool room, far from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioners. This will help reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity, and ozone. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and strong.
2. Look to the back
If the label doesn't inform you what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get close and intimate with it. The scent, the feel and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.
Genuine leather may not feel smooth when you contact it. This is because 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. Genuine leather is prepared by buffing away the rough outer layer. But if the leather used to cover your sofa is top-grain leather it's likely to have 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 means that it is capable of breathing, which means that the material doesn't become dry and crack with time.
Faux leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern however genuine leather has natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes creases and scratches. Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it is new. But, it should not crack or dry out when you regularly condition it using a cream for protection against leather.
Some furniture manufacturers combine real leather with synthetic leather in order to save money. The contact areas such as seats and armrests, as well as backs, are made from real leather, whereas the non-contact parts such as the base and outside arms, are upholstered with a less-expensive synthetic fabric made of polyurethane or leather. This is a typical practice, and even if the sofa has a genuine leather label You should examine carefully to determine the material that the back is made from, as it is a clear indication that it isn't true genuine leather.
Pricing and labels can point you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, you need to meet up close and close to it. Take a whiff, rub it and look at its back for a backing of polyurethane which is an obvious sign that it's not genuine leather.
3. Take a look at the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seating is an indicator of its quality. While many faux leather couches use a mixture of materials for upholstery, genuine leather has a unique texture that feels smooth to the touch and is not completely uniform in color and shade. Be aware of bumps on the surface as well as a deep, natural smell. These characteristics distinguish real leather from low-grade or artificial fakes.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, that's another dead giveaway. This is typical with faux leather but if it's on genuine top-grain leather, you should avoid the sofa.
Labels and pricing can give you an idea, but the only way to be sure is to get up close with the furniture. Genuine leather shouldn't be flawless and have a rough feel. It also has large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges. The suppleness of genuine leather also feels different from synthetic material, and the temperature of the furniture will reveal whether or not it's made with authentic materials.
A leather sofa is a mainstay in interior design for a reason: It's elegant, durable and long-lasting. Additionally, it's easy to clean and resists spills of liquid which makes it a great choice for families with pets or children. The best thing about genuine leather, however it's that it's a timeless style that won't go out of style and is available at a range of prices.
For a timeless leather couch that will last for a long time, consider the Pottery Barn Turner. The two-seater might be on the pricey side however it's made using top-quality leather that will last for a long time. It's a great choice for those with limited space as it comes in with three sizes and will fit in almost any room.
If you're looking for something a bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This mid-century modern-inspired sofa features an angular, sleek design with a round pillow and an elegant frame. The sofa is made from plywood, composite, and plastic. The leather is only used for the seating area. It's a step up from Ikea’s faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE’s "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Real leather has a distinctive smell - a natural, organic skin scent that cannot be duplicated. If the sofa you're trying to purchase has a strong synthetic smell it's a sign that it's not genuine. This is often caused by the chemicals that were used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on furniture long after it's been constructed.
You can check the quality of leather by gently running your fingers over the surface. Genuine leather will have bumps and lumps similar to the skin of a human. If it feels smooth and cold, it's probably faux or bonded.
Alternately, you can open one of the cushions and inspect the back. False and bonded hides include a polyurethane back that will provide support for the manufactured upholstery. True leather has an untreated back, similar to coarse suede. If the couch is backed by a woven fabric it is not real leather.
Peter advises that if you are trying to determine whether the sofa is authentic, the best way is to hold it up against your body and move your fingers across the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingernails duller, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel soft and warm to the touch.
Another way to tell if a sofa is genuine is to turn it over on its side and check the back of the upholstery. Faux and bonded leather will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa while genuine leather will be a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.
When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, take into consideration how much use it will get and how long you want it to last. The more you utilize your couch the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using a specific leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness of the leather and prevent it from becoming hard and dry.