How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery this sofa looks fantastic in any room. People love its simple design and the premium quality genuine leather upholstery.
However, distinguishing genuine leather from faux leather can be difficult to the untrained eye. Here are six tips to help you distinguish between the two: 1. Rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Genuine leather has a distinctive appearance and feel that's difficult to duplicate. It's also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it a great choice for people suffering from allergies. However, not all leather sofas are made equal. Some stores have even been known for passing off PVC as genuine leather.
To avoid being scammed, it's crucial to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery. Discerning retailers are more than pleased to provide this information So don't hesitate inquire!
The first step to identifying authentic leather sofas is to look at the label. The label should clearly identify the type of leather used to cover the sofa and any other materials, such as fabric or cotton. Reputable suppliers must also have clear guidelines regarding return or exchange if you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't come with any label but you can figure out its authenticity by examining the fabric backing or opening up the cushion casing to check for synthetic material. You can also look at the texture of the leather to determine whether there are any bumps or imperfections. These are indications that the leather is fake or bonded.
You can also test the quality of the sofa by rubbing its surface. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is more coarse and feels like suede. Additionally, you will feel a difference between the bumps and wrinkles of genuine leather as well as the patterns printed on faux leather.
While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than its faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and often become family heirlooms over the years. Place your leather sofa in a light, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioners. This will minimize the damage caused by humidity, heat and the ozone. Leather protection creams can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and supple.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't reveal what kind of leather sofa is, you need to get up-close and close to it. The smell, the feel, and the back are all clear indicators.
Genuine leather won't feel smooth when you contact it. This is because animal hides have different shaped pores which allow them to breathe. A product that feels totally smooth may be fake leather.
knowing it to look for is uneven or bumpy surface. The preparation of genuine leather involves buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. However, if the material you use to cover your sofa is made of top-quality leather, it should still have some bumps.
You can also test the leather by running your finger over it and pressing down into it. If it's genuine, 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 as time passes.
Faux leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern, while genuine leather will have natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This includes creases and scratches. Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it's new. However, it won't dry out or crack if you condition it regularly using a cream for protection against leather.
To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of real and synthetic leather for their products. The areas that are 'contact, such as seats and armrests as well as backs, are made from genuine leather, while the non-contact portions like the outside and base arms, are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. Even if the couch is labelled as genuine leather, look closely at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can help you identify a genuine leather sofa, but it is important to examine it in person. Check the back of the sofa for polyurethane, which is an indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Take a look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is a further sign of its high-quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which is the same materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when touched. Be aware of bumps on the surface as well as a deep natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from low-grade or artificial fakes.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, huge piece, this is another warning sign. While this is not uncommon when using faux leather, if you notice this on genuine top-grain leather, it's likely to be a sign that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.
Labels and pricing can give you a hint, but the only way to know for sure is to get up close with the furniture. Genuine leather shouldn't be perfect and feel uneven. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. The softness of genuine leather also feels distinct from synthetic materials and the temperature of the furniture will reveal whether or not it's built using genuine materials.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design because it's elegant, durable and long-lasting. Additionally, it's easy to wipe clean and resists liquid spills, making it a smart choice for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless style that will never be out of fashion. It's also available in various price ranges.
For a timeless leather couch that will stand the test of time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. This two-seater may be expensive however it's made using top-quality leather that will last for a lifetime. It's a great choice for those with small rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit in most rooms.
If you're looking for something a bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an angular, sleek design with a round pillow and an elegant frame. While the frame is crafted from plywood, composite and plastic, this sofa features genuine leather only in the seating area, which is a welcome step up from Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in the year 2015.
4. Look at the smell
Real leather has a distinctive smell. It's a natural, organic scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa that you're considering buying has a strong synthetic smell it's not authentic. Often this is caused by the chemicals used to make the leather, which linger in the furniture after it's been made and even once you have it at home.
A great way to determine the quality of a leather sofa is to run your fingers along the surface. Real leather will feel rough and have lumps and bumps, just like human skin. If it feels smooth and cold it's likely fake or bonded.
You can also take one of the cushions and examine the back. False and bonded hides have a polyurethane back to provide support for the manufactured upholstery. True leather has an untreated back, similar to coarse suede. If you spot a woven backing, this is an obvious sign that the couch isn't real leather.
Peter suggests that if you are trying to determine if a sofa is genuine the best method is to hold it up against your body and then gently run your fingers along the surface. The grit of the leather will make your fingers a little dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. knowing it feels warm to the touch.
Turning the sofa on its back and inspecting 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 will last before deciding on the best. The more you use your sofa, the more it will need to be maintained. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using a specific leather conditioner to help maintain the suppleness of the leather and to prevent it from becoming hard and dry.