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 high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may be unable to discerning the difference between genuine and fake leather. Here are six useful tips to help you recognize the difference between real and faux: 1. Edges that are rough.
1. Labels are essential
Genuine leather has a distinctive look and feel that's hard to duplicate. It's also robust, easy to clean and doesn't absorb excess body oils, which makes it a great choice for families with allergies. However not all leather sofas are created equally. Some retailers have even been recognized for presenting PVC as genuine Leather.
Understanding the different types leather can help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining top-grain and full grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery. Retailers with discerning eyes are more than pleased to provide this information and more, so don't hesitate to inquire!
To determine if you've got a genuine leather sofa you should first look at the label. The label should clearly state the kind of leather used to cover the sofa along with any other materials like fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable suppliers will have clear policies regarding returning or exchanging items in the event you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa does not come with a label, you can still verify its authenticity by looking at the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather to see if there are any bumps or blemishes. These are indicators that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
Another way to check the quality of a sofa is touching its surface with your fingertips. Genuine leather will have a soft and smooth texture, whereas faux or bonded leather will be rougher and feel more like suede. Furthermore you should be able to feel a difference between the wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather and the printed patterns on faux leather.
While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than a imitation counterpart but it's an investment that will last longer and can be a family heirloom over the years. Place your leather sofa in an airy cool, cool space, away from heaters, fireplaces, and air conditioners. This will minimize the damage caused by humidity, heat and ozone. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and sturdy.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label does not indicate what kind of leather is in the sofa, it is essential to examine it close. The smell, the feel, and the back are all clear indicators.
Genuine leather may not feel smooth when you touch it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different pores which allow them to breathe. However, a product that is smooth and soft suggests that it may be fake leather.
Another thing to look out for is bumps or an uneven surface. The process of making genuine leather includes buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.
You can also test leather by putting your finger into it and then running it across it. If it's real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle slightly as human skin does. This allows the leather to breathe and prevents it from becoming dry or cracked in time.
Faux leather is printed and therefore has a consistent pattern, while genuine leather will have natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This includes creases and scratches. A quality leather sofa is soft, a little stiff when new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream.
To save money, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather for their products. The areas that are 'contact such as seats and armrests as well as backs, are made of genuine leather, while the non-contact portions, such as base and outside arms, are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. Even if the sofa is labeled as genuine leather, you should examine the back to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to truly be sure a sofa is genuine leather it's essential to get up close and close to it. Feel it, smell it and look at its back for a backing of polyurethane, which is a clear indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seating is an indicator of its quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which uses an amalgamation of materials. It has a unique texture and feels soft when touched. Look for bumps beneath the surface, and a distinct natural scent. These characteristics differentiate real leather from fakes and low-grade leather.
Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched together in a continuous, large piece. While this is not unusual when using faux leather, if you observe this on genuine top-grain leather it's likely to be a sign that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.
The label and price may provide an idea, but the only sure method of knowing is to actually touch the furniture. Real leather should not be perfect and feel uneven. It may also have large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather is soft and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be a sign of whether it is made of genuine materials.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design because it's stylish, durable and lasts for a long time. Additionally, it's easy to wipe clean and resists spills of liquid which makes it a great option for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never go out of fashion. It's also available in a variety of price ranges.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner as a leather sofa that will last for years. Although this two-seater is priced higher 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 who have limited space, since it comes in three sizes and can fit in the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option for those who want something more contemporary. This couch is a mid-century modern design with a sleek, angular frame and cylindrical pillows that blend functionality and form. While the frame is crafted from composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa has genuine leather in the seating area which is a step up from Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in the year 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Real leather has an unmistakable smell. It's an organic, natural scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa you are trying to purchase has a strong synthetic smell, this is an indication that it isn't genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals used in the process of making the leather, which remain in the furniture after it has been constructed and even after you bring it home.
A good way to test the quality of a leather sofa is to run your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will have bumps and lumps like the skin of a human. If it feels soft and cold, it's most likely fake or bonded leather.
Alternately, you can take one of the cushions and look at the back. The faux and bonded leathers may have a polyurethane backing to help support the upholstery that is manufactured, whereas true leather has an untreated back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If the couch is backed by a woven fabric, it is not genuine leather.
Peter advises that if you are trying to determine if the sofa is authentic the best way to determine authenticity is to place it against your body and run your fingers across the surface. The grit on the leather will dull your fingernails, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel warm to the feel.
Another way to determine if a sofa is genuine is to turn it over on its side and check the back of the couch. Faux and bonded leather will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather will be a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.
Think about how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it is expected to last before you decide on the right. The more you use your couch and the more you use it, the more it will need to be taken care of. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning with an exclusive leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness of the leather and keep it from becoming dry and hard.