How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa is a great option for any room. The leather upholstery is buttery soft. Customers love its simple style and premium genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may be unable to identifying the difference between real and fake leather. Here are six useful tips to help you recognize the difference: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are crucial
Real leather has a unique style and feel that’s difficult to replicate. It’s also robust, easy to clean and doesn’t absorb body oils, which makes it a great choice for families with allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equally. Some retailers are even recognized for presenting PVC as genuine Leather.
To avoid being scammed, it’s crucial to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining top-grain and full grain leather, and also evaluating the quality of the upholstery. The most knowledgeable retailers will be more than happy to provide you with this information and more, so don’t hesitate to inquire!
The first step to identifying authentic leather sofas is to look at the label. It should clearly state what type of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other materials such as fabric or cotton. Reputable suppliers must also have clear guidelines regarding return or exchange if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn’t have a label, you can still work out the authenticity of the sofa by examining the fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing to check for synthetic materials. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine if there are any bumps or blemishes. These are indicators that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
You can also test the integrity of the sofa by touching its surface. Genuine leather will have an incredibly soft and smooth texture, whereas faux or bonded leather will be rougher and feel more like suede. You should also be able to discern the difference between wrinkles, bumps, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than its faux counterpart, but it’s going to last longer. It can become a family heirloom over time. Place your leather sofa in a light, cool room, away from heaters, fireplaces, and air cooling units. This will minimize the damage caused by heat, humidity and ozone. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and sturdy.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label doesn’t inform you what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get up close and intimate with it. The smell, feel and backing will all be a clear indication of authenticity.
Genuine leather won’t feel smooth when you touch it. This is because animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow it to breathe. However, a leather product that is smooth and soft suggests that it may be fake leather.
Another thing to look for is unevenness or bumps on the surface. The preparation of genuine leather requires buffing, which eliminates 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 pressing your finger into it and then running it across it. If it is real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little similar to human skin. This means that it’s capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather does not become dry and cracked over time.
Faux leather has a consistent pattern because it’s printed, however genuine leather is prone to imperfections that add to the beauty and durability of the leather. This can be seen in scratches, creases and marks. Genuine leather is soft and a little stiff when it is new. However, it shouldn’t crack or dry out if you condition it regularly with a leather protection cream.
Certain furniture manufacturers mix real leather with synthetic leather in order to save money. The contact areas such as seats and armrests as well as backs, are constructed of genuine leather, while the non-contact portions like the base and outside arms, are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a standard practice however, even if the sofa has an authentic leather label, you should check it closely to see what the backing is made of, since it is a clear indication that it’s not genuine leather.
Pricing and labels can point you in the right direction, but to truly be sure a sofa is genuine leather, it’s important to be able to get close and close to it. Examine the back of the sofa for any signs of polyurethane which is a sign that it’s not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
A genuine second hand leather sofas sofa’s seat is also an indicator of its quality. While many faux leather couches use different fabrics for the upholstery Genuine leather has a unique texture that feels smooth to the touch. It isn’t totally uniform in color or shade. Be aware of bumps on the surface and a rich, natural smell. These characteristics differentiate real leather from fakes and low-grade leather.
Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched together in a large, continuous piece. This is common with faux leather but when it’s seen on real top-grain and you are looking for a sofa, avoid the sofa.
The price and label may give you an idea however the only reliable method of knowing is to actually touch the furniture. Real leather is not perfect and should feel uneven to the feel. It will also have large wrinkles on the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could also indicate whether it is made of genuine materials.
Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design and for good reason. They’re elegant, durable, and long-lasting. It’s also easy to clean and resistant to spills of liquid. This makes it a perfect option for families with children or pets. The best part about genuine leather, however it’s that it’s a classic style that will never go out of style and is still available at a range of price points.
Take a look at Pottery Barn’s Turner as a small leather sofa sofa that will last a lifetime. While this two-seater model is priced higher however, it’s constructed with high-end top-quality leather and features an elegant design that won’t fade away. This is a great choice for those with a limited space, as it comes with three sizes and will fit in the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option to consider if you’re looking for something a bit more contemporary. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an angular, sleek design with cylindrical pillows and a sleek frame. While the frame is constructed out of composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa has genuine leather in the seating area, which is a nice improvement over Ikea’s faux-leather sofa that won the CHOICE’s “Shonky” award in the year 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct smell. It’s an organic, natural scent that can’t be replicated. If the sofa you’re trying to buy has a strong synthetic smell it is a sign that it’s not genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals used in the process of making the leather, which linger in the furniture after it’s been manufactured and even after you bring it home.
You can determine the quality of the leather by gently moving your fingers across the surface. Real reupholster leather couch will feel rough and have bumps and lumps, just as human skin. If it feels cold and smooth it’s likely fake or it’s bonded.
You can also remove one of the cushions to look at the backing. False and bonded hides have a polyurethane back to provide support for the manufactured upholstery. Genuine rustic leather sofa has a back that is untreated, similar to coarse suede. If the couch has a woven backing, it is not genuine leather.
Peter says that the best method to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingernails duller and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It will also feel soft and warm to the touch.
Turning the sofa on its back and checking the upholstery will also tell you if it is genuine. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux leather couch; images.google.com.pa, or the bonded leather.
When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, consider how much use it will get and how long you want it to last. The more you utilize a sofa and the more you use it, the more it’ll need to be maintained. Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning using a conditioner for leather. This will help to keep the leather’s softness and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.