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 genuine leather from fake leather can be a challenge to the untrained eye. Here are six ways to help you differentiate between the two: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Real leather is hard to duplicate. It has a unique appearance and feel. It's also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't soak up excess body oils. This makes it a great choice for those suffering from allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equally. In fact, some sellers have even been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather.
To help you avoid getting ripped off, it's important to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining the difference between top and full grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery material. The most knowledgeable retailers are more than willing to share this information, so don't hesitate to inquire!
The first step to identify a genuine leather sofa is to look at the label. The label should clearly identify the type of leather used to cover the sofa, and any other materials, such as fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable suppliers will have clear policies regarding returning or exchanging items in the event you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't come with a label, you can still confirm its authenticity by examining the fabric backing of the sofa or by opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather to determine if it has any bumps or imperfections, since these are indicators that you're dealing with fake or leather that has been bonded.
Another way to test the quality of a sofa is the surface of the sofa using your fingertips. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is coarser and feels more like suede. You should also be able discern the difference between bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a faux counterpart but it will last longer. It could become an heirloom for the family over time. 3 seater leather sofa can reduce the damage caused by the sun or ozone, heat, humidity by placing your leather sofa in a cool, dark area away from fireplaces, heaters and air cooling units. In addition, you can apply leather protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and sturdy.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't inform you what kind of leather a sofa is, it's essential to get close and intimate with it. The scent, the feel and the back are all obvious indicators.
If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it won't feel smooth and perfect. This is because animal hides come with a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. However, a leather product that feels smooth could be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is prepared by buffing away the rough outer layer. 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 putting your fingers into it and then running it across it. If it's genuine the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little, just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracked as time passes.
Faux leather has a uniform pattern because it's printed, whereas genuine leather has imperfections that add to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches and creases. A quality leather sofa is soft, a little stiff when new, but it should not break or dry out over time if regularly maintained with a specific leather protection cream.
To save money, some furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of real and synthetic leather for their products. The 'contact areas', such as the arm rests, chairs and backs are made from genuine leather, while the non-contact parts, such as the base and outside arms, are covered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or synthetic leather. Even if the couch is labelled as genuine leather, take a close look at the backing to determine if it is genuine leather.
Pricing and labels can point you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to get up close and close to it. Feel it, smell it and check its back for a backing made of polyurethane that is a clear indicator that it is not genuine leather.
3. Take a look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indicator of its quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which is a combination of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when you touch it. Look for bumps beneath the surface, and a distinct natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from cheap or fake fakes.
Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched together in a large, continuous piece. Although this isn't uncommon when using faux leather, if you see 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 label may give you an idea, but the only sure method of knowing is to actually touch the furniture. Real leather should not be perfect and not feel uneven. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's made from authentic materials.
Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design and for good reason. They're stylish, durable, and long-lasting. It's also easy to wipe clean and resists spills of liquid, making it a smart choice for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never be out of fashion. It's also available in different price ranges.
If you're looking for a classic leather sofa that can stand the test of time, look into the Pottery Barn Turner. The two-seater might be quite expensive but it's constructed with top-grain leather that will last for a lifetime. This is a great choice for those with limited space, as it comes with three sizes and will fit in most rooms.
If you're looking for something little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The couch is a mid-century modern-inspired style with an angular, sleek frame and cylindrical pillows that are a perfect blend of design and function. The sofa is made from plywood, composite, and plastic. However, the leather is only used in the seating area. It is an improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa which was awarded the CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Real leather has a distinctive 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, this is an indication that it's not genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals used to make leather. These chemicals can linger on furniture long after it's been manufactured.
You can test the quality of leather by running your fingers along the surface. Real leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps like human skin. If it is smooth and cold, it is most likely fake or bonded leather.
Alternately, you can open up one of the cushions and look at the backing. False and bonded hides include a polyurethane back that will provide support for the manufactured upholstery. True leather has a back that is untreated, similar to coarse suede. If the couch has a woven backing that is not genuine leather.
Peter says that the best way to determine if a sofa is real is to gently rub your fingernails on the surface. The scratches on the leather will dull your fingernails, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It also feels warm to the feel.
The sofa's back and inspecting the upholstery will also determine if it's genuine. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic-coated faux or bonded leather.
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 care it will require. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's softness and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.