How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any room. Customers love its simple style and the premium quality genuine leather upholstery.
But recognizing real leather from faux leather can be a challenge for the untrained eye. Here are six helpful tips to help you tell the difference: 1. Rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Genuine leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a distinctive appearance and feel. It's also durable, easy to clean and doesn't absorb excess body oils. This makes it perfect for people suffering from allergies. Not all leather sofas, however, are created equal. Some retailers are even recognized for presenting PVC as genuine Leather.
Understanding the different types of leather will help you to avoid being ripped off. This includes determining the difference between full grain and top grain leather, and also assessing the quality of the upholstery material. Do not hesitate to ask discerning retailers for this information.
To identify a genuine leather couch, 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 like fabric or cotton. Additionally, reliable sellers must have clear policies for returning or exchanging items in the event you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still verify its authenticity by checking the upholstery's fabric backing or opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather and see whether it's got any imperfections or bumps, because these are indicators that you're dealing with fake or leather that has been bonded.
Another method to determine the authenticity of a sofa is by touching its surface using your fingertips. Genuine leather will have a soft and smooth texture, while faux leather or bonded leather will be rougher 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.
While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than a imitation counterpart but it's an investment that will last longer and often become family heirlooms over the years. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity and ozone. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and sturdy.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather sofa is, you need to get up-close and close to it. The scent, the feel and the back are all obvious indicators.
If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it will not feel perfectly smooth. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different shaped pores that allow them to breathe. A product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather.
Another thing to look out for is bumps or an uneven surface. Genuine leather is prepared by buffing away some of 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 leather by running your finger over it and pressing down into it. If the leather is genuine, it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This means that it's able to breathe, ensuring that the leather does not become dry and crack over time.
Faux leather has a uniform pattern because it's printed, however genuine leather is prone to imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This can be seen in scratches, creases and scars. A good genuine leather sofa is soft and slightly stiff when it's new, but it should not break or dry out over time if conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream.
Some furniture makers mix real leather with synthetic leather in order to save money. The contact areas, such as the seats, arm rests and backs, are constructed from real leather while the non-contact parts, such as the base and outside arms, are covered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or synthetic leather. Even if the couch is labelled as genuine leather, you should examine the back to determine if it's genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point 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. Check the back of the sofa for any signs of polyurethane, which is an indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seating is an indicator of its quality. While most faux leather couches make use of a mixture of fabrics for the upholstery, genuine leather has a distinctive texture that is smooth to the touch and is not completely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps under the surface, and a strong, natural scent. These characteristics differentiate real leather from imitations or cheap leather.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, that's another warning sign. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you observe this on genuine top-grain leather it's likely to indicate that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels may provide a clue however the only way to determine is to be in close proximity to the furniture. Genuine leather shouldn't be perfect and not feel uneven. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. Genuine leather is soft and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could also indicate whether it is genuine.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design because it's stylish, durable and lasts for a long time. It is also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a perfect choice for families who have children or pets. The best part about genuine leather, however, is that it's a classic style that won't go out of style, and it's still available at a range of prices.
For a classic leather couch that will endure the test of time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. While this two-seater model is priced higher but it's made of high-end top-grain leather and has an elegant design that won't age quickly. It's a great choice for those with smaller spaces, too, since it comes in three sizes and is small enough to fit into the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice for those who want something a bit more contemporary. This mid-century-modern-inspired couch features an angular, sleek design with a round pillow and a sleek frame. leather sofa set is made from composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa is made of genuine leather in the seating area, which is a welcome step up from Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct smell - a natural, organic skin scent that is unable to be duplicated. If the sofa you are looking to purchase has a strong smell of synthetic it is a sign that it's not genuine. Most often, this is due to the chemicals used to make the leather, which linger in the furniture after it's been manufactured and even after you have it at home.
You can check the quality of leather by moving your fingers across the surface. Real leather will feel rough and have bumps and lumps, just as human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it's most likely faux or bonded leather.
Alternately, you can open up one of the cushions and inspect the back. False and bonded leather 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 you spot a woven backing, it's a dead giveaway that the sofa isn't real leather.
Peter says that the best method to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The grit on the leather will dull your fingernails, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle a little. It should also feel warm to the touch.
Another way to tell if a sofa is genuine is to turn it on its side and examine the back of the sofa. Faux and bonded leather will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa while genuine leather is a single, continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.
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 use your sofa, the more care it will require. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's softness and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.