How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. People love its simple design and high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
However, distinguishing real leather from faux leather can be a challenge for the untrained eye. Here are six suggestions to help you distinguish between the two: 1. The rough edges.
1. Look at the label
Genuine leather has a distinctive look and feel that's hard to replicate. It is also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't soak up excess body oils. This makes it a great choice for people suffering from allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equally. Some retailers are even famous for using PVC as genuine Leather.
To help you avoid getting scammed, it's crucial to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery. Do not hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
To determine if you have a genuine leather sofa first glance at the label. It should clearly state what kind of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other materials like cotton or fabric. In addition, reputable sellers will have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have an identifier however, you can still figure out the authenticity of the sofa by examining the fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing to look for synthetic material. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine whether there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indicators that the leather is fake or bonded.
Another way to check the quality of a sofa is by the surface of the sofa 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. In addition you will discern the difference between wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather and the patterns printed on faux leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than its faux counterpart but it will last longer. It can become a family heirloom over time. Place your leather sofa in an airy cool, cool space, away from heaters, fireplaces, 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 soft and sturdy.
2. Look at leather pull out couch
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather a sofa is, it's essential to get up-close and intimate with it. The scent, the feel and the back are all clear indicators.
Genuine leather won't feel smooth when you feel it. This is because animal hides come with a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. A product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of making genuine leather includes buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. If the leather covering your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.
You can also test the quality of leather by putting your fingers into it and running it over it. If the leather is real, it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracked as time passes.
Faux leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern, however genuine leather has natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes scratches, creases and marks. A genuine leather sofa is soft and a bit stiff when new, but it should not break or dry out in time if it's regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream.
To save money, certain furniture manufacturers use a combination of synthetic and real leather to create their furniture. The contact areas, such as seats, armrests, and backs, are made of real leather, whereas the non-contact areas like the outside and base arms, are upholstered with a cheaper synthetic fabric made of polyurethane or leather. Even if a couch is labeled as genuine leather, you should take a close look at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can help determine if a sofa is genuine leather, but it is important to inspect it up close. Take a whiff, rub 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 excellent indicator of the quality. While the majority of faux leather couches utilize a mixture of fabrics for the upholstery Genuine leather has a distinctive texture that is smooth to the touch, but isn't entirely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a strong natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from cheap or fake fakes.
Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched together in a long, continuous piece. This is common with faux leather but when it's seen on genuine top-grain leather, you should avoid the sofa.
The label and price may provide an idea however the only reliable way to know is to feel the furniture. Real leather should not be perfect and not feel uneven. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. Genuine leather is soft and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be a sign of whether it is made of genuine materials.
Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design and for good reason. They're stylish durable, long-lasting and durable. It's also easy to clean and resists spills of liquid which makes it a great choice for families with pets or children. The best thing about genuine leather, is that it's a classic design that will never be trendy and is available in a variety of price points.
Consider the Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last a lifetime. While this two-seater is on the pricier side, it's crafted with quality top-quality leather and features a timeless design that won't date quickly. It's a great option 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 little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This mid-century modern-inspired sofa features an elegant, angular style with a round pillow and a sleek frame. The sofa is made from plywood as well as composite and plastic. However, the leather is only used in the seating area. It is a step up from Ikea’s faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE’s "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Genuine leather has a distinctive scent - a natural, organic skin scent that cannot be duplicated. If the sofa you are looking to purchase has a strong synthetic smell it's a sign that it's not authentic. Often this is caused by the chemicals used to process the leather. They remain in the furniture after it has been manufactured and even after you take it home.
You can check the quality of leather by gently running your fingers over the surface. Real leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps, just as human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it's probably faux or it's bonded.
Alternatively, you can open one of the cushions and examine the backing. False and bonded hides include a polyurethane back that will support the manufactured upholstery. True leather has a back that is untreated like coarse suede. If the sofa has a woven backing that is not genuine leather.
Peter says that the best way to tell whether a sofa is genuine is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. couches leather on the leather will dull your fingernails and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It also feels warm to the contact.
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 one continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.
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 utilize a couch in a given time, the more it will require to be taken care of. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning with a conditioner for leather. This will help keep the leather's softness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.