How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa makes a fantastic addition to any space. The leather upholstery is incredibly soft. Customers love its simple style and its high-end genuine leather upholstery.
But recognizing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge to the untrained eye. Here are six tips to help you tell the difference: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Real leather has a distinct appearance and feel that's difficult to duplicate. It is also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it a great choice for people suffering from allergies. However there are many different leather sofas that are made equally. In fact, some retailers have been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types leather will help you avoid being scammed. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Retailers with discerning eyes will be more than happy to provide you with this information So don't hesitate ask!
To identify a genuine leather sofa, first glance at the label. The label should clearly indicate the type of leather used to cover the sofa, as well as any other materials like fabric or cotton. The most reliable suppliers must also have clear guidelines regarding return or exchange if you are not happy with the purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have any label, you can still work out its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing or by opening a cushion casing to check for synthetic materials. You can also look at the texture of the leather and see if it has any bumps or imperfections, since these are indicators that you're dealing with fake or leather that has been bonded.
Another method to determine the integrity of a sofa is by feeling its surface with your fingertips. Genuine leather will have an incredibly soft and smooth texture, while faux or bonded leather will be more coarse and more akin to suede. You should also be able to feel the difference between bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than its faux counterpart but it will last longer. It could end up becoming an important family heirloom with time. You can limit the damage caused by sun as well as ozone, heat and humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark area away from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioning. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and strong.
2. Check out the back
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather sofa is, it's important to get close and intimate with it. The smell, the feel, and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.
If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel smooth and silky. This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. However, a product that feels completely smooth suggests that it may be fake leather.
Be aware of bumps and uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is prepared by buffing away the rough outer layer. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.
You can also test the leather by pressing your finger into it and running it over it. If it is real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit similar to human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracking as time passes.
Faux leather has a uniform pattern because it is printed, whereas genuine leather has imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases and scratches. Genuine leather is soft and a bit stiff when it's brand new. However, it shouldn't crack or dry out if you condition it regularly by applying a leather protection cream.
To save money, certain furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of real and synthetic leather for their products. The 'contact areas', such as the seats, arm rests and backs are made from genuine leather, while the non-contact components, like the base and the outside arms, are upholstered with the less expensive polyurethane or a synthetic leather. Even if the sofa is advertised as genuine leather, you should take a close look at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Pricing and labels can point you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, you need to be able to get close and close to it. Look at the back of the sofa for polyurethane which indicates that it's not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is an additional indicator of its quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which uses a combination of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when touched. Look for bumps beneath the surface as well as a deep natural, fresh scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from cheap or fake imitations.
Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched in a long, continuous piece. While this is not uncommon when using faux leather, if you see this with genuine top-grain leather it's likely to be a sign 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 touch the furniture. Real leather should not be perfect and feel uneven. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. The softness of genuine leather also feels distinct from synthetic materials and the temperature of the furniture will reveal whether it's constructed using genuine materials.
A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay for a reason: It's elegant, durable and long-lasting. Additionally, it's easy to clean and resists spills of liquid, making it a smart option for families with pets or children. The best thing about genuine leather, is that it's a classic design that won't go out of style and is accessible at a variety of prices.
Take a look at Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last a lifetime. The two-seater might be quite expensive however it's made using top-quality leather that will last a lifetime. It's a great option for those with smaller spaces, too, since it's available in three sizes and is compact enough to fit in most rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option for those who want something more modern. This couch is a mid-century modern design with an angular, sleek frame and asymmetrical pillows that combine form and function. The frame is made from plywood, composite and plastic, this sofa has genuine leather in the seating area, which is a welcome step up from Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 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're trying to buy has a strong synthetic scent it's a sign that it's not genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals used to process the leather. They remain in the furniture after it has been made and even once you have it at home.
A good way to test the quality of leather sofa s is to gently rub your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will feel rough and include lumps and bumps, just like human skin. If it is smooth and cold, it is most likely faux or the leather is bonded.
Alternatively, you can open one of the cushions and inspect the backing. The faux and bonded leathers may have a polyurethane backing that supports the manufactured upholstery, while genuine leather has an untreated backing that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If you spot a woven backing, it's an indication that the sofa isn't real leather.
Peter suggests that if are trying to determine whether a sofa is genuine the best way to determine authenticity is to hold it up against your body and run your fingers across the surface. The scratches on the leather will dull your fingernails and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel warm to the feel.
Another way to tell whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it on its side and check the back of the upholstery. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic-coated faux or the bonded leather.
Think about how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it is expected to last when choosing the quality. The more you utilize your couch, the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning with a specific conditioner for leather to keep the suppleness of the leather and keep it from becoming hard and dry.