How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

With a soft, buttery leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. People love its simple design, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.

Untrained eyes might have trouble identifying the difference between real and faux leather. Here are six ways to help you distinguish between the two: 1. Edges that are rough.

1. Labels are essential

Real leather has a unique look and feel that's hard to replicate. It's also durable and easy to clean. It also doesn't absorb excess body oils, which makes it a great choice for those with allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equal. In fact, some retailers have been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather.

To help you avoid getting ripped off, it's important to be aware of the various kinds of leather. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality material of the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask your favorite retailers for this information.

The first step to identify authentic leather sofas is to look at the label. It should clearly identify the kind of leather it is upholstered with, along with any other materials like fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier will also have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you are not satisfied with your purchase.

If the sofa does not have a label you can still check its authenticity by checking the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather to see if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indicators that the leather is fake or is bonded.

Another way to check the quality of a sofa is feeling its surface by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather has a soft, smooth texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is rougher and feels more like suede. You should also be in a position to discern the difference between bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.

A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than its faux counterpart but it will last longer. It could become an important family heirloom with time. Place your leather sofa in a bright cool and cool room, far from heaters, fireplaces, and air conditioning units. This will help reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat and Ozone. In addition, you can apply leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and strong.

2. Take a look at the back

If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get close and close to it. The scent, the feel and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.

When you get a feel of genuine leather, it will not feel smooth and silky. This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of pores that allow them to breathe. A product that feels totally smooth could be fake leather.

Another thing to be aware of is bumps or an uneven surface. The preparation of genuine leather involves buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. If the material covering your sofa is top grain leather, there should still be some bumps.

You can also test leather by putting your fingers into it and then running it across it. If it's genuine, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit, just like human skin. This means it's capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather does not become dry and cracked over time.

faux leather sofa set leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern however genuine leather has natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes creases and scratches. Genuine leather is soft and a little stiff when it's brand new. However, it won't crack or dry out when you treat it regularly by applying a leather protection cream.

To save money, certain furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather to create their furniture. The contact areas, such as the arm rests, seats and backs are made from real leather while the non-contact parts, such as the base and the outside arms are upholstered in a less expensive polyurethane or a synthetic leather. This is a standard practice, and even if a couch is branded with a genuine leather label be sure to examine it carefully to see what the backing is made of, since this is an instant giveaway that it's not authentic leather.

Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to get up close and personal with 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

A genuine leather sofa's seating is a good indicator of quality. While many faux leather couches use different fabrics for the upholstery, genuine leather has a distinctive texture that feels smooth to the touch, but isn't totally uniform in color or shade. Be aware of bumps under the surface and a strong natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from fakes and low-grade leather.

If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, that's another obvious sign. While this is not unusual when using Faux Leather Couch leather, if you see this on genuine top-grain leather, it's likely to be a sign that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided.

The price and the label might give you an idea however the only reliable method to determine is to touch the furniture. The genuine leather isn't perfect and should feel uneven to the feel. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. The softness of genuine leather is different from synthetic materials, and the temperature of the furniture will tell whether it's constructed using genuine materials.

Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design and for good reason. They're stylish, durable, and long-lasting. It is also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a perfect choice for families who have pets or children. 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 accessible at a variety of price points.

For a timeless leather couch that will stand the test of time, look into the Pottery Barn Turner. The two-seater is expensive however it's made of top-quality leather that can last a lifetime. This is a great option for those with limited space, as it comes with three sizes and fits in most rooms.

If you're looking for something a little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The couch is a mid-century modern-inspired style with a sleek, angular frame and asymmetrical pillows that are a perfect blend of design and function. The sofa is constructed 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 was awarded the CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.

4. Look at the smell

Real leather has an unmistakable scent. It's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa you're looking to purchase has a strong synthetic scent it is a sign that it's not authentic. This is usually caused by the chemicals that were used to make leather. These chemicals can remain on furniture long after it's been constructed.

A great way to determine the quality of leather sofas is to gently rub your fingers along the surface. Real leather will have bumps and lumps just like the skin of a human. If it feels cold and smooth it's probably fake or it's bonded.

You can also open one of the cushions to look at the backing. The faux and bonded leathers will have a polyurethane backing to help support the manufactured upholstery, while genuine leather has an untreated backing that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If you see a woven fabric backing, it's a dead giveaway that the couch isn't genuine leather.

Peter says that the best way to determine whether a sofa is real is to lightly run your fingernails across the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingernails duller, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle a little. It should also feel warm to the touch.

Another way to tell whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it on its side and look at the back of the sofa. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather is a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.

Think about how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it will last before you decide on the right. The more you use your sofa, the more it will need to be cared for. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using an exclusive conditioner for leather to maintain the suppleness of the leather and prevent it from becoming dry and hard.