How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any space. Customers love its simple style and premium genuine leather upholstery.
However, distinguishing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge for the untrained eye. Here are six tips to help you distinguish between the two types: 1. Edges that are rough.
1. Labels are important
Real leather is hard to duplicate. It has a distinctive appearance and feel. It's also robust, easy to clean and doesn't absorb excess body oils, making it a perfect choice for those with allergies. Not all leather sofas, however, are made equal. In fact, some stores have been known to pass off PVC as genuine leather.
To help small leather couch avoid getting scammed, it's essential to be aware of the various kinds of leather. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask discerning retailers for this information.
The first step to identifying a genuine leather sofa is to check the label. It should clearly state what kind of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other material such as cotton or fabric. In addition, reputable sellers 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 any label, you can still work out its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing or by opening a cushion casing to check for synthetic materials. You can also examine the texture of the leather and see whether it's got any imperfections or bumps, because these are indicators that you're dealing in fake or the leather is bonded.
You can also test the sofa's integrity by touching the surface. Genuine leather will have a smooth and soft texture, while faux or bonded leather will be coarser and more akin to suede. You should also be in a position to feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than a faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and can be a family heirloom over the years. Place your leather sofa in a light, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioning units. This will reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat, and Ozone. Leather protection creams can also be used to keep your leather sofa sturdy and soft.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label doesn't indicate what kind of leather is present in a sofa, it's important to inspect it up close. The scent, the feel and the back are all clear indicators.
When you get a feel of genuine leather, it will not feel perfectly smooth. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different shaped pores which allow them to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth may be fake leather.
Another thing to be aware of is bumps or an uneven surface. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away a portion of the rough outer layer. If the material that covers 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 then running it across it. If it's real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit, just like human skin. This means that it's capable of breathing, ensuring that the material doesn't become dry and cracked over time.
Faux leather has a uniform pattern because it's printed, however genuine leather has imperfections that add to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases and scratches. A quality leather sofa is soft and slightly stiff when new, however it should not break or dry out in time if it's regularly maintained with a specific leather protection cream.
Certain furniture manufacturers mix real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The 'contact' areas such as seats, armrests, and backs, are made from real leather, whereas the non-contact areas like the base and outside arms, are upholstered using a less expensive synthetic fabric made of polyurethane or leather. This is a common practice, and even if the sofa has authentic leather labels, you should check it carefully to see the material that the back is made of, as this will be a quick indicator that it's not genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to meet up close and intimate with it. Examine the back of the sofa for any signs of polyurethane, which is an indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is a further sign of its high-quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which is a combination of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when you touch it. Look for bumps under the surface and a rich, natural smell. These features distinguish genuine leather from fake or low-quality imitations.
Another indicator is if the leather is stitched in a long, continuous piece. Although this isn't uncommon when using faux leather, if you notice this with genuine top-grain leather, it's likely a sign that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided.
The price and the label might provide an idea however the only reliable way to know is to feel the furniture. Genuine leather will not be perfect and feel uneven. It will also have fat wrinkles under the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be an indication of whether it's made of genuine materials.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design because it's stylish, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to clean and resists liquid spills making it a good choice for families with children or pets. The best part about genuine leather, is that it's a classic style that won't ever go out of fashion and is still accessible at a variety of prices.
For a timeless leather couch that can endure the test of time, consider the Pottery Barn Turner. While this two-seater model is on the pricier side however, it's constructed with high-end top-quality leather and features a classic silhouette that won't date quickly. It's an excellent choice for those with small rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is compact enough to fit into most rooms.
If you're looking for something bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This couch is a mid-century modern-inspired design with an elegant, angular frame and asymmetrical cushions that are a perfect blend of design and function. While the frame is constructed out of composite, plywood and plastic, this sofa has genuine leather in the seating area which is a welcome step up 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 smell that is a natural organic skin scent that cannot be replicated. If the sofa you are trying to buy has a strong smell of synthetic, this is an indication that it's not genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals that were used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on the furniture even after it's been manufactured.
You can test the quality of the leather by gently running your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps, just like human skin. If it feels cold and smooth it's likely fake or it's bonded.
You can also open up one of the cushions and examine the backing. Faux and bonded leather may have a polyurethane backing to support the upholstery that is manufactured, 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 real leather.
Peter says that the best way to determine if a sofa is real is to lightly run your fingernails across the surface. The roughness of the leather should make your fingers a little dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It should also feel warm to the contact.
Another way to tell whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it on its side and look at the back of the upholstery. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather will be one continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.
When you are deciding on the type of your leather sofa, consider how much use it is likely to get and how long you'd like it to last. The more you utilize a couch and the more you use it, the more it will need to be taken care of. Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning using a leather conditioner. This will help maintain the leather's suppleness and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.