How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. Customers love its simple style and premium genuine leather upholstery.
However, distinguishing real leather from faux leather can be difficult to the untrained eye. Here are six useful tips to help you recognize the difference between real and faux: 1. Rough edges.
1. Labels are important
Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It's unique in appearance and feel. It's also robust and easy to clean. It also doesn't absorb body oils, making it ideal for those with allergies. However there are many different leather sofas that are made equally. Some retailers have even been recognized for presenting PVC as genuine Leather.
To help you avoid getting scammed, it's essential to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Do not hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
The first step in identifying authentic leather sofas is to check the label. It should clearly state what type of leather the sofa is covered in, as well as any other material such as cotton or fabric. A reputable supplier should also have clear policies regarding return or exchange if you are not happy with the purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still confirm its authenticity by examining the fabric backing of the sofa or opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather to determine whether there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indicators that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
Another way to test the quality of a sofa is by touching its surface with your fingertips. Genuine leather has a soft and smooth texture, while faux leather or bonded leather will be coarser and feel more like suede. You should also be able discern the difference between bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart It's a wise investment as it will last longer and be a family heirloom over the years. You can limit the damage caused by the sun or ozone, heat, humidity by putting your leather sofa in an airy, dark space away from heaters, fireplaces and air cooling units. Leather protection creams can also be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.
2. Look to the back
If the label doesn't tell you what type of leather is used in a sofa, it's important to inspect it up close. The scent, the feel, and back will all be clear indicators of authenticity.
real leather sofa will not feel smooth when you touch it. This is because animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow them to breathe. A product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather.
Be aware of bumps and uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away the rough outer layer. If the material covering your sofa is top grain leather, there'll still be some bumps.
You can also test the quality of leather by pressing your finger into it and running it over it. If the leather is real it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This means it's able to breathe, ensuring that the leather doesn't get dry and crack with time.
Faux leather has a consistent pattern because it is printed, whereas genuine leather is prone to imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches, creases and marks. Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it's brand new. However, it shouldn't dry out or crack when you treat it regularly with a leather protection cream.
To cut costs, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of synthetic and real leather for their products. The 'contact areas' such as the seats, arm rests and backs are made from genuine leather, while non-contact parts, such as the base and the outside arms, are covered with a less expensive polyurethane or a synthetic leather. This is a common practice and even if the sofa has authentic leather labels be sure to examine it closely to see the material that the back is made of, as this is an instant giveaway that it's not authentic leather.
Labels and pricing can help identify a genuine leather sofa, but it is important to inspect it up close. Smell it, touch it, and then check its back for a backing of polyurethane, which is a clear indicator that it is not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another sign of its high-quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which uses the same materials. It has a unique texture and feels smooth when touched. Be aware of bumps on the surface as well as a deep natural scent. These characteristics differentiate real leather from imitations or cheap leather.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, this is another dead giveaway. This is common in faux leather, but when it's seen on genuine top-grain leather, you should avoid the sofa.
The label and price may give you an idea but the only certain method of knowing is to touch the furniture. The genuine leather isn't perfect, and it will feel uneven to the feel. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. The suppleness of genuine leather also feels different from synthetic material, 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 for good reason. They're stylish durable, long-lasting, and durable. It's also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it an ideal option for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never be out of style. It's also available in different prices.
Take a look at Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last a lifetime. Although this two-seater is more expensive, it's crafted with quality top-grain leather and has a timeless design that won't fade away. It's a great option for those who have small spaces, too, as it comes in three sizes and is small enough to fit in the majority of rooms.
If you're looking for something a bit more contemporary, look at this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. Read Alot more -century-modern-inspired sofa has an elegant, angular style with a round pillow and a sleek frame. This sofa is made of plywood as well as composite and plastic. However, the leather is only used in the seating area. It's a step up from Ikea’s faux-leather sofa, which won CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinctive scent - a natural, organic skin scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa that you're looking to purchase has a strong artificial smell it's not authentic. It is usually due to the chemicals that were used to make leather. These chemicals can remain on the furniture even after it's been constructed.
You can check the quality of the leather by running your fingers over the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps just like the human skin. If it feels cold and smooth it's likely fake or it's bonded.
Alternatively, you can open one of the cushions and look at the back. The faux and bonded hides feature a polyurethane backing to provide support for the manufactured upholstery. True leather has an untreated back and is similar to coarse suede. If the couch is backed by a woven fabric that is not genuine leather.
Peter says that the best way to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingernails duller, and the surface should be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It should also feel warm to the contact.
Turning the sofa on its back and examining the upholstery will determine if it's genuine. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic-coated faux or the bonded leather.
Consider how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it is expected to last when choosing the quality. The more you use a sofa and the more you use it, the more it will require to be taken care of. Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning with a conditioner for leather. This will help keep the leather's softness and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.