How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa is a great option for any room. The leather upholstery is incredibly soft. Customers adore its simple styling and high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may have difficulty discerning the difference between genuine and fake leather. Here are six useful ways to tell the difference: 1. The rough edges.
1. Check the label
Real leather is hard to duplicate. It has a unique appearance and feel. It's also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't absorb excess body oils. This makes it perfect for allergy sufferers. However not all leather sofas are made equal. Some stores have even been famous for using PVC as genuine leather.
To help you avoid getting ripped off, it's important to know the various types of leather. This includes determining the differences between full grain and top grain leather, and also evaluating the quality of the upholstery material. Do not hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
The first step in identifying the genuine leather sofa is to look at the label. The label should clearly state the kind of leather used to cover the sofa, and any other materials, such as fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier should also have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you are not satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa does not come with 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 to determine if there are any bumps or imperfections. These are signs that the leather is fake or bonded.
Another way to check the authenticity of a sofa is touching its surface by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is more coarse and feels like suede. You should also be able feel the difference between the wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart It's a wise investment as it will last longer and can often end up as family heirlooms through the years. Place your leather sofa in an airy cool and cool room, far from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioners. This will reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat, and the ozone. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and strong.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label doesn't reveal what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get up-close and personal with it. The smell, the feel, and the back are all clear indicators.
Genuine leather won't feel smooth when you touch it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of pores that allow them to breathe. However, a leather product that feels smooth could be fake leather.
Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of preparing genuine leather includes buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. If the material covering your sofa is top grain leather, there'll 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 like human skin. This means that it's capable of breathing, ensuring that the material doesn't become dry and crack with time.
Faux leather is printed and therefore has a consistent pattern, however genuine leather has natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This includes scratches and creases. Genuine leather will be supple and a little stiff when it's new. However, it shouldn't crack or dry out when you treat it regularly with a leather protection cream.
To save money, some furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of synthetic and real leather to create their furniture. The 'contact areas', like the arm rests, chairs and backs, are constructed from genuine leather, while non-contact components, like the base and the outside arms, are covered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or synthetic leather. Even if the sofa is advertised as genuine leather, it is best to look closely at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and prices can help you identify a genuine leather sofa It is however important to inspect it up close. Examine 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
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indicator of its quality. While most faux leather couches make use of various materials for the upholstery authentic leather has a distinctive texture that is soft to the touch and is not completely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps under the surface, and a strong natural, fresh scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from fake or low-quality fakes.
Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched together in a large, continuous piece. While this is not uncommon when using faux leather, if you see this with genuine top-grain leather it's likely 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 of knowing is to touch the furniture. Real leather is not perfect, and it will be a bit uneven to the feel. It will also have fat wrinkles under the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could also indicate whether it is genuine.
faux leather sofa are a staple of interior design and for good reason. They're elegant, durable, and long-lasting. In addition, it's easy to wipe clean and resists spills of liquid, making it a smart option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless style that will never go out of style. It's also available in different price ranges.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last for a lifetime. The two-seater might be expensive but it's constructed with top-grain leather that will last a lifetime. It's a great choice for those with a limited space, since it comes in three sizes and can fit in the majority of rooms.
If you're looking for something a little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This mid-century modern-inspired sofa features a sleek, angular design with a cylindrical pillow and a sleek frame. The sofa is constructed of plywood, composite, and plastic. However, the leather is only used for the seating area. It is an upgrade from Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE’s "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Real leather has an unmistakable scent. It's a natural, organic scent that cannot be duplicated. If the sofa you are looking to purchase has a strong synthetic scent it is a sign that it's not authentic. Often this is caused by the chemicals used to make the leather, which remain in the furniture after it's been manufactured and even after you have it at home.
A good way to test the quality of a leather sofa is to gently rub your fingers along the surface. Real leather will feel rough and have bumps and lumps, just like human skin. If it feels cold and smooth it's probably fake or bonding.
You can also remove one of the cushions to look at the back. False and bonded hides include a polyurethane back that will help support the upholstery. True leather has an untreated back like coarse suede. If you notice a woven backing, it's an obvious sign that the couch isn't real leather.
Peter suggests that if you are trying to determine whether the sofa is authentic, the best way is to place it against your body and then gently run your fingers along the surface. The roughness of the leather will dull your fingernails and the surface will be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It also feels warm to the touch.
Turning the sofa on its back and checking the upholstery will also determine if it's genuine. The faux leather and bonded leather will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather is one continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.
When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, take into consideration how much use it is likely to receive and how long you'd like it to last. The more you use your sofa the more attention it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using a special leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness and softness of the leather and keep it from becoming dry and hard.