How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any room. People love its simple design and premium, genuine leather upholstery.
But recognizing real leather from faux leather can be a challenge to the untrained eye. Here are six tips to help you differentiate between the two types: 1. Rough edges.
1. Labels are crucial
Genuine leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a distinctive appearance and feel. It's also robust and easy to clean. It also doesn't absorb excess body oils, which makes it a great choice for families with allergies. However, not all leather sofas are created to be the same. Some retailers have even been recognized for presenting 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 full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery. The most knowledgeable retailers are more than happy to provide you with this information, so don't hesitate to inquire!
To identify a genuine leather sofa, you must first examine the label. The label should clearly state the type of leather used to cover the sofa and any other materials like fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier will also have clear policies regarding exchange or return if you aren't satisfied with the purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still check its authenticity by looking at the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indications that the leather is fake or bonded.
You can also test the sofa's integrity by touching its surface. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is more coarse and feels like suede. Additionally, you should be able to feel a difference between the bumps and wrinkles of genuine leather and the printed patterns on faux leather.
cheap leather sofa is more expensive than its faux counterpart but it will last longer. It could become a family heirloom over time. You can limit the damage that's caused by sun or ozone, heat, humidity by placing your leather sofa in a cool, dark area away from heaters, fireplaces and air cooling units. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and strong.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't inform you what kind of leather a sofa is, it's important to get up-close and personal with it. The scent, the feel, and back will all be unmistakable indicators of authenticity.
Genuine leather won't feel smooth when you contact it. This is due to the fact that animal hides come with a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. A product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather.
Another thing to look out for is uneven or bumpy surface. The process of making genuine leather requires buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. However, if the material you use to cover your sofa is top-grain leather it's likely to have 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 slightly, just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and prevents it from becoming dry or cracking over time.
Faux leather has a uniform pattern because it is printed, however genuine leather will have imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases and scratches. Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it's brand new. However, it shouldn't dry out or crack when you regularly condition it using a cream for protection against leather.
Some furniture makers mix real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The 'contact areas', like the arm rests, seats and backs, are constructed from real leather while the non-contact areas, like the base and the outside arms, are upholstered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or leather-like synthetic fabric. Even if the sofa is labelled as genuine leather, take a close look at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to truly be sure a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to meet up close and intimate with it. Take a whiff, rub it, and then check its back for a backing made of polyurethane, which is a clear indicator that it is not genuine leather.
3. Take cheap leather sofa at the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seat is an excellent indicator of the quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which uses an amalgamation of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels smooth when you touch it. Look for bumps under the surface, and a distinct, natural scent. These characteristics differentiate real leather from imitations or cheap leather.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, it's a dead giveaway. Although this isn't uncommon with faux leather, if you see this with real 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 give you an idea but the only certain method to determine is to feel the furniture. Real leather is not perfect, and it will feel rough to the feel. It may also have large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather is soft and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could also indicate whether it is made from authentic materials.
Leather sofas are an essential part of interior design, and with good reason. They're stylish durable, long-lasting and durable. Additionally, it's easy to wipe clean and resists spills of liquid, making it a smart choice for families with pets or children. The best thing about genuine leather it's that it's a classic style that won't ever go out of fashion and is available at a range of prices.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner as a leather sofa that will last for a lifetime. While this two-seater model is on the pricier side however, it's constructed with high-end top-grain leather and has a timeless design that won't date quickly. This is a great option for those who have limited space as it comes in with three sizes and fits in almost any room.
If you're looking for something a bit more contemporary, look at this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an angular, sleek design with a cylindrical pillow and an elegant frame. This sofa is made of plywood as well as composite and plastic. The leather is only used for the seating area. It is a step up from Ikea’s faux-leather sofa, which won CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct smell. It's an organic, natural scent that cannot be duplicated. If the sofa you are trying to buy has a strong smell of synthetic it's a sign that it's not genuine. This is often caused by the chemicals that were used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on the furniture even after it's been constructed.
You can check the quality of the leather by gently running your fingers along the surface. Real leather will feel rough and include lumps and bumps, just like human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it's most likely fake or the leather is bonded.
Alternately, you can open up one of the cushions and inspect the backing. The faux and bonded hides have a polyurethane back to support the manufactured upholstery. True leather has a back that is untreated like coarse suede. If you see a woven fabric backing, it's a dead giveaway that the couch isn't genuine leather.
Peter advises that if you are trying to determine whether the sofa is genuine, the best way is to hold it up against your body and gently run your fingers along the surface. The grit on the leather will dull your fingernails and the leather should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It also feels warm to the contact.
Another way to determine whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it over on its side and look at the back of the couch. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or the bonded leather.
Consider how much you will use your leather sofa and how long it is expected to last when choosing the quality. The more you use your sofa in a given time, the more it'll need to be taken care of. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's softness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.