How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery this sofa looks fantastic in any space. Customers love its simple style, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes might have trouble discerning the difference between genuine and fake leather. Here are six helpful tips to help you recognize the difference: 1. Edges that are rough.
1. Labels are crucial
Real leather has a unique style and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also durable and easy to clean. It doesn't absorb body oils, making it a perfect choice for families with allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equally. In fact, some sellers have even been known to pass off PVC as genuine leather.
To ensure that you don't get scammed, it's crucial to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining the difference between top and full grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery material. Retailers with discerning eyes will be more than willing to share this information So don't hesitate ask!
To determine if you've got a genuine leather couch, you must first examine the label. It should clearly state what kind of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other materials such as cotton or fabric. Additionally, reliable sellers should have clear policies on exchange or return in the event that you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still verify its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing of the sofa or by opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather and determine whether it has any bumps or imperfections, because these are indicators that you're dealing with fake or bonded leather.
You can also test the quality of the sofa by rubbing the surface. Genuine leather has a soft and smooth texture, whereas faux or bonded leather will be more coarse and feel more like suede. Additionally you will feel the difference between the bumps and wrinkles of genuine leather as well as the patterns printed on faux leather.
While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than its faux counterpart It's a wise investment as it will last longer and can be a family heirloom over the years. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioners. This will minimize the damage caused by heat, humidity, and ozone. Leather protection creams can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.
2. Look to leather and fabric sofa
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather sofa is, it's important to get close and intimate with it. The scent, the feel and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.
Genuine leather won't feel smooth when you contact it. This is because animal hides have a variety of pores that allow them to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth may be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of preparing genuine leather involves buffing, which removes some of the rough outer skin. But if the leather used to cover your sofa is top-grain leather, it's likely to have a few bumps.
You can also test the quality of leather by pressing your finger into it and then running it across it. If simply click for source , the leather will stretch and wrinkle slightly as human skin does. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracked over time.
Faux leather is printed and has a uniform pattern while genuine leather will have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes scratches and creases. A quality leather sofa is soft, a little stiff when new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out in time if it's regularly maintained with a specific leather protection cream.
To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of real and synthetic leather to create their furniture. The contact areas, such as the arm rests, chairs and backs, are constructed from genuine leather, while non-contact parts, such as the base and outside arms, are upholstered with a less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a common practice, and even if the sofa has an authentic leather label, you should check carefully to determine what the backing is made of, as this will be a quick indicator that it's not genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, you need to meet up close and intimate with it. Check the back of the sofa for traces of 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 indicator of its quality. While many faux leather couches use various materials for upholstery Genuine leather has a unique texture that is smooth to the touch and is not entirely uniform in color and shade. Be aware of bumps on the surface and a rich natural, fresh scent. These characteristics distinguish real leather from fake or low-quality fakes.
If the leather is stitched in a single, large piece, that's another obvious sign. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you see this on genuine top-grain leather, it's likely to be a sign that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided.
Labels and pricing can provide a clue however the only way to be sure is to get up close with the furniture. The genuine leather isn't perfect and should feel uneven to the touch. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. The softness of genuine leather also feels distinct from synthetic materials and the temperature of the furniture will indicate whether or not it's built with authentic materials.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for good reason: It's elegant, durable and long-lasting. Additionally, it's easy to clean and resists spills of liquid, making it a smart choice for families with pets or children. The best part about genuine leather, is that it's a timeless style that won't go out of style, and it's still available in a variety of price points.
Consider the Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last a lifetime. The two-seater is quite expensive, but it is made using top-quality leather that will last for a lifetime. It's a great choice for those with smaller spaces, too, since it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit in most rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice if you want something more modern. This mid-century-modern-inspired couch features an angular, sleek design with cylindrical pillows and an elegant frame. While the frame is crafted from composite, plywood and plastic, this sofa features genuine leather only in the seating area which is a step up from Ikea's faux-leather couch, which was awarded CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct smell. It's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa you are looking to purchase has a strong synthetic scent it is a sign that it isn't genuine. Often this is caused by the chemicals used to process the leather, which remain in the furniture after it's been made and even once you bring it home.
A good way to test the quality of a leather sofa is to run your fingers over the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps like the human skin. If it feels soft and cold, it is most likely faux or bonded leather.
Alternatively, you can take one of the cushions and inspect the back. The faux and bonded hides feature a polyurethane backing to provide support for the manufactured upholstery. Genuine leather has an untreated back, similar to coarse suede. If the sofa has a woven backing, it is not genuine leather.
Peter says that the best way to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The scratches on the leather will make your fingernails duller and the leather should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It will also feel soft and warm to the touch.
The sofa's back and inspecting the upholstery will let you know if the sofa is genuine. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or bond leather.
Think about how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it will last when choosing the quality. The more you utilize a couch and the more you use it, the more it'll need to be taken care of. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning using a leather conditioner. This will help to keep the leather's softness and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.