How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With its soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any space. Customers love its simple style and premium genuine leather upholstery.
But recognizing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge for the untrained eye. Here are six helpful tips to help you recognize the difference between real and faux: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Genuine leather has a distinctive appearance and feel that's difficult to duplicate. It's also durable and easy to clean. It also does not absorb body oils, making it a perfect choice for those with allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equal. In fact, some retailers have even been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather.
To avoid being scammed, it's crucial to be aware of the various kinds of leather. This includes determining top-grain and full grain leather, and also evaluating the quality material of the upholstery. The most knowledgeable retailers are more than happy to provide you with this information and more, so don't hesitate to inquire!
The first step to identify a genuine leather sofa is to check the label. The label should clearly identify the kind of leather used to cover the sofa, and any other materials like fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier should also have clear policies regarding return or exchange if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label however, you can still figure out its authenticity by examining the fabric backing or opening a cushion casing to check for synthetic materials. You can also examine the texture of the leather to see if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indicators that the leather is fake or is bonded.
You can also test the integrity of the sofa by rubbing its surface. Genuine leather has an incredibly soft and smooth texture, while faux leather or bonded leather will be coarser and feel more like suede. In addition you will feel a difference between the bumps and wrinkles of genuine leather and the patterns printed on faux leather.
While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart It's a wise investment as it will last longer and can often become family heirlooms over the years. Place your leather sofa in a light cool, cool space, away from fireplaces, heaters and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity and Ozone. Leather protection creams can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label doesn't tell you what type of leather is used in a sofa, it is important to inspect it up close. The scent, the feel and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.
When you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel smooth and perfect. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different shaped pores which allow them to breathe. A product that feels totally smooth could be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of preparing genuine leather includes buffing, which eliminates 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 into it. If the leather is genuine, it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracked over time.
Faux leather is printed and therefore has a uniform pattern while genuine leather will have natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This includes scratches, creases and scars. A quality leather sofa will be soft and a bit stiff when new, but it should not break or dry out in time if it's regularly maintained with a specific leather protection cream.
To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of synthetic and real leather for their products. The 'contact' areas like seats and armrests as well as backs, are constructed of real leather, whereas the non-contact areas such as the outside and base arms are upholstered using a less expensive synthetic fabric made of polyurethane or leather. This is a typical practice, and even if a couch is branded with a genuine leather label be sure to examine it closely to see the material that the back is made from, as this is an instant giveaway that it's not authentic leather.
Labels and pricing can help determine if a sofa is genuine leather It is however important to look it over. Look at the back of the sofa for any signs of polyurethane which indicates that it's not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seating is a good indicator of quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which uses an amalgamation of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels smooth when you touch it. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a rich natural scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from fakes and low-grade leather.
Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched in a large, continuous piece. While this is not uncommon when using faux leather, if you observe this with genuine top-grain leather, it's most likely to indicate that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.
The price and the label might provide an idea but the only certain method to determine is to actually touch the furniture. Genuine leather shouldn't be perfect and not feel uneven. It may also have large wrinkles on the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's made from authentic materials.
A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay for good reason: It's stylish, durable and long-lasting. In addition, it's easy to clean and resists spills of liquid which makes it a great choice for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless design that will never be out of fashion. It's also available in different prices.
Take a look at Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last for a lifetime. While this two-seater model is more expensive but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features a timeless design that won't date quickly. This is a great choice for those with limited space as it comes in with three sizes and will fit in the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice if you want something modern. The couch is a mid-century modern design with an angular, sleek frame and asymmetrical pillows that are a perfect blend of functionality and form. The frame is made from plywood, composite and plastic, this sofa has genuine leather in the seating area, which is a nice improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in the year 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Real leather has a distinctive smell that is a natural organic skin scent that cannot be replicated. If the sofa you're trying to buy has a strong synthetic smell it is a sign that it isn't genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals used to make the leather, which remain in the furniture after it's been constructed and even after you bring it home.
You can determine the quality of leather by moving your fingers across the surface. Real leather will have bumps and lumps like the skin of a human. If it feels soft and cold, it is most likely fake or made of bonded leather.
Alternatively, you can open one of the cushions and look at the backing. Faux and bonded leather will have some form of polyurethane backing to help support the fabric, whereas genuine leather has an untreated back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If you see a woven fabric backing, it's an indication that the couch isn't genuine leather.
Peter advises that if you are trying to decide whether the sofa is genuine the best method is to place it against your body and run your fingers across the surface. The scratches on the leather will dull your fingernails and the leather should be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It should also feel warm to the contact.
straight from the source to tell whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it over on its side and examine the back of the couch. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or bond leather.
When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, take into consideration the amount of use it will receive and how long you want it to last. The more you utilize your couch the more attention it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using an exclusive leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness of the leather and keep it from becoming hard and dry.