How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. Customers love its simple style and top-quality, genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may have difficulty in discerning the difference between real and faux leather. Here are six ways to help you differentiate between the two types: 1. Rough edges.
1. Labels are crucial
Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It's unique in feel and look. It's also durable and easy to clean. It also doesn't absorb body oils, making it ideal for families with allergies. However not all leather sofas are made equally. In fact, some retailers have been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather.
To help you avoid getting scammed, it's essential to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, and also evaluating the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Do not hesitate to ask discerning retailers for this information.
To identify a genuine leather couch, you must first examine the label. The label should clearly indicate the type of leather used to cover the sofa as well as any other materials, such as fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable suppliers 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 a label, you can still check its authenticity by examining the fabric backing of the sofa or opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather and see if it has any imperfections or bumps, as these are telltale signs that you're dealing in fake or leather that has been bonded.
You can also test the sofa's integrity by touching its surface. Genuine leather has a soft, smooth texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is coarser and feels more like suede. You should also be able to feel the difference between the wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a faux counterpart, but it's going to last longer. It could end up becoming an heirloom for the family over time. Place your leather sofa in a light cool and cool room, far from heaters, fireplaces, and air conditioners. This will help reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat and ozone. Leather protection creams can also be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't reveal what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get close and personal with it. The scent, the feel and backing will all be a clear indication of authenticity.
When you get a feel of genuine leather, it will not feel smooth and silky. This is because animal hides have different shaped pores that allow them to breathe. A product that feels completely smooth may be fake leather.
Be aware of bumps and uneven surfaces. The process of making genuine leather includes buffing, which removes some of the rough outer skin. However, if the material you use to cover your sofa is top-grain leather, it should still have a few bumps.
You can also test the quality of leather by putting your finger into it and then running it across it. If the leather is real, it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This means that it is capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather does not become dry and crack over time.
Faux leather is uniform in pattern because it is printed, whereas genuine leather will have imperfections that add to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases and scratches. Genuine leather is soft and a little stiff when it's brand new. However, it shouldn't crack or dry out when you treat it regularly by applying a leather protection cream.
To cut costs, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather for their products. The 'contact' areas like seats and armrests, as well as backs, are constructed of genuine leather, while the non-contact areas such as the outside and base arms are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. Even if leather sofas for sale is labelled as genuine leather, you should take a close look at the backing to determine if it is genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, it's important to get up close and close to it. Look at the back of the sofa for polyurethane which is a sign that it's not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indicator of its quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which uses a combination of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when you touch it. Be aware of bumps on the surface as well as a deep natural scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from low-grade or artificial imitations.
Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece. This is typical with faux leather but when it's seen on genuine top-grain leather and you are looking for a sofa, avoid the sofa.
Pricing and labels may provide a clue, but the only way to determine is to sit down with the furniture. Genuine leather isn't perfect, and it should feel rough to the feel. 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 tell whether it's constructed using genuine materials.
A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay for a reason: It's stylish, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a great choice for families who have children or pets. The best part about genuine leather, is that it's a classic design that won't be trendy, and it's still available at a range of prices.
For a timeless leather couch that can last for a long time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. Although this two-seater is priced higher however, it's constructed with high-end top-quality leather and features an elegant design that won't fade away. leather sofas for sale 's a great option for those with small spaces, too, since it's available in three sizes and is compact enough to fit into most rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option if you want something a bit more contemporary. This mid-century modern-inspired sofa features an elegant, angular style with a cylindrical pillow and an elegant frame. The frame is made from plywood, composite and plastic, this sofa is made of genuine leather in the seating area which is a upgrade from Ikea's faux leather sofa that won the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct scent - a natural, organic skin scent that is unable to be replicated. If the sofa you're trying to purchase has a strong artificial smell it's not real. It is usually due to the chemicals used in the process of making the leather. They remain in the furniture after it has been manufactured and even after you have it at home.
You can determine the quality of leather by gently moving your fingers across the surface. Real leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps, just as human skin. If it is smooth and cold it's probably fake or it's bonded.
You can also open one of the cushions and look at the backing. The faux and bonded leathers may have a polyurethane backing to support the fabric, whereas genuine leather has a natural back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If the couch is backed by a woven fabric, it is not genuine leather.
Peter says that the best method to determine if a sofa is real is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The roughness of the leather will cause your fingers to become dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a little. It should also feel soft and warm to the touch.
Another way to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to turn it on its side and check the back of the upholstery. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or bond leather.
When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, think about how much use it will receive and how long you want it to last. The more you use your couch the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning with an exclusive conditioner for leather to keep the suppleness of the leather and to prevent it from becoming dry and hard.