How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. People love its simple design and its high-end genuine leather upholstery.
But recognizing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge for the untrained eye. Here are six useful tips to help you tell the difference: 1. Rough edges.
1. Look at the label
Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It's unique in appearance and feel. It is also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't soak up excess body oils. This makes it a great choice for allergy sufferers. However not all leather sofas are made equally. Some retailers are even famous for using PVC as genuine Leather.
To help you avoid getting ripped off, it's important to be aware of the various kinds of leather. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality material of the upholstery. Discerning retailers are more than pleased to provide this information and more, so don't hesitate to inquire!
To identify a genuine leather sofa you must first examine the label. The label should clearly state the kind of leather used to cover the sofa along with any other materials such a fabric or cotton. Reputable suppliers will also have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you are not satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't come with any label however, you can still figure out its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing or opening the cushion casing to check for synthetic material. You can also check the texture of the leather to determine if there are any bumps or imperfections. These are signs that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
You can also test the quality of the sofa by touching the surface. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is coarser and feels more like suede. Furthermore, 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 faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and can often become family heirlooms over the years. Place your leather sofa in a light cool and cool room, far from heaters, fireplaces, and air conditioners. This will minimize the damage caused by heat, humidity and the ozone. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and strong.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label does not identify the type of leather is used in a sofa, it's important to inspect it up close. The scent, the texture and the backing will be unmistakable indicators of authenticity.
When you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel smooth and silky. This is because animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow it to breathe. A product that feels totally smooth could be fake leather.
Be aware of bumps and uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away a portion of the rough outer layer. If the leather covering your sofa is top grain leather, there'll still be some bumps.
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 like human skin. This means it's able to breathe, ensuring that the leather doesn't get dry and crack over time.
Faux leather is uniform in pattern because it's printed, however genuine leather is prone to imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches, creases and scuffs. A genuine leather sofa is soft and slightly stiff when new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream.
To save money, certain furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of real and synthetic leather for their products. The areas that are 'contact such as seats, armrests, and backs, are made of real leather, while the non-contact portions such as the base and outside arms, are upholstered using a less expensive synthetic fabric made of polyurethane or leather. This is a common practice, and even if the sofa has a genuine leather label, you should check it carefully to see what the backing is made of, as this is an instant giveaway that it isn't true genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to truly be sure a sofa is genuine leather, you need to be able to get close and personal with it. Feel it, smell it and look at its back for a backing made of polyurethane, which is a clear sign that it's not genuine leather.
3. Take a look at the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seating is a good indicator of quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which is an amalgamation of materials. It has a unique texture and feels smooth when you touch it. Look for bumps under the surface, and a distinct natural scent. These characteristics distinguish real leather from cheap or fake fakes.
Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched together in a continuous, large piece. Although this isn't uncommon with faux leather, if you notice this with real top-grain leather, it's likely to be a sign that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels can give you an idea, but the only way to determine is to get up close with the furniture. Genuine leather will not be perfect and feel uneven. It will also have large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can also indicate whether it is genuine.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for good reason: It's stylish, durable and lasts for a long time. It's also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. mid century leather sofa makes it a perfect choice for families who have pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless design that will never be out of style. It's also available in a variety of price ranges.
If you're looking for a classic leather sofa that can last for a long time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. This two-seater may be expensive but it's constructed using top-quality leather that will last for a lifetime. cheap leather sofa 's a great choice for those with limited space, as it comes with three sizes and fits in the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option for those who want something modern. This couch is a mid-century modern-inspired style with an angular, sleek frame and asymmetrical cushions that blend form and function. While the frame is constructed out of composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa features genuine leather only in the seating area which is a welcome improvement over Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinctive smell that is a natural organic skin scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa you are trying to purchase has a strong synthetic scent it is a sign that it isn't genuine. Most often, this is due to the chemicals used in the process of making the leather, which linger in the furniture after it's been constructed and even after you bring it home.
A good way to test the quality of a leather sofa is to gently run your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will have bumps and lumps just like the skin of a human. If it feels cold and smooth it's probably fake or it's bonded.
Alternatively, cheap leather couches can open up one of the cushions and examine the backing. The faux and bonded leathers will have some form of polyurethane backing that supports the fabric, whereas genuine leather has a natural back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If the couch has a woven backing it is not real leather.
Peter says that the best way to determine whether a sofa is real is to lightly run your fingernails across the surface. The roughness of the leather should cause your fingers to become dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel warm to the feel.
Turning the sofa on its back and inspecting the upholstery will also tell you if it is genuine. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa while genuine leather is a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.
When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, consider the amount of use it will receive and how long you want it to last. The more you utilize your couch, the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help to keep the leather's suppleness intact and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.