How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. Customers love its simple styling and its high-end genuine leather upholstery.
However, distinguishing genuine leather from faux leather can be difficult to the untrained eye. Here are six tips to help you tell the difference between real and faux: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a unique feel and look. It's also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it ideal for people suffering from allergies. However there are many different leather sofas that are created to be the same. In fact, some stores have been known to pass off PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types of leather will help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the upholstery. Don't hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
To determine if you have a genuine leather couch, first glance at the label. The label should clearly state the type of leather used to cover the sofa as well as any other materials like fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier should also have clear policies regarding return or exchange if you are not happy with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still confirm 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 to see if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indications that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
Another way to test the integrity of a sofa is by the surface of the sofa by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is rougher and feels more like suede. You should also be able to feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps, and printed patterns of
faux leather couch leather and genuine leather.
While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than a faux counterpart but it's an investment that will last longer and will often become family heirlooms over the years. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat and ozone. Creams for protection on leather can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.
2. Look at the back
If the label does not indicate what kind of leather is present in a sofa, it is important to inspect it up close. The scent, the texture and the backing will be unmistakable indicators of authenticity.
If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel smooth and silky. This is because animal hides have different pores that allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels smooth suggests it could be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of preparing genuine leather requires buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. But if the leather used to cover your sofa is top-grain leather it's likely to have a few bumps.
You can also test leather by putting your finger into it and running it over it. If the leather is
real leather sofa it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This means that it's capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather doesn't get dry and cracked over time.
Faux leather is printed and therefore has a uniform pattern, however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This includes creases, scratches and scars. Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it's new. However, it shouldn't dry out or crack if you condition it regularly by applying a leather protection cream.
To cut costs, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather to create their furniture. The contact areas, like the arm rests, seats and backs, are constructed from real leather while the non-contact areas, like the base and the outside arms are upholstered in the less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a common practice, and even if the couch has an authentic leather label You should examine it carefully to see the material that the back is made from, as this will be a quick indicator that it's not genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa you purchase 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 indicates that it's not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is a further indicator of its quality. While many faux leather couches use various materials for the upholstery, genuine leather has a distinctive texture that is soft to the touch, but isn't totally uniform in color or shade. Be aware of bumps on the surface and a strong, natural smell. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from imitations or cheap leather.
Another indicator is if the leather is stitched in a large, continuous piece. While this is not uncommon when using faux
leather living room sets, if you observe this with genuine top-grain leather it's likely a sign that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided.
The label and price may give you an idea, but the only sure method of knowing is to touch the furniture. Real leather should not be flawless and have a rough feel. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's genuine.
reupholster leather couch sofas are an essential part of interior design for good reason. They're elegant, durable, and long-lasting. It is also easy to clean and resistant to spills of liquid. This makes it a perfect option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never be out of style. It's also available in a variety of price ranges.
For a timeless leather couch that will last for a long time, consider the Pottery Barn Turner. The two-seater might be expensive however it's made of top-quality leather that can last for a long time. This is a great option for those with limited space, since it comes in with three sizes and fits in almost any room.
If you're looking for something a bit more contemporary, look at this All
modern leather sofa Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an elegant, angular style with cylindrical pillows and an elegant frame. The frame is made out of composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa has genuine leather in the seating area, which is a welcome improvement over Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinctive smell - a natural, organic skin scent that is unable to be duplicated. If the sofa you're looking to purchase has a strong artificial smell, it is not genuine. Often this is caused by the chemicals used to process the leather, which linger in the furniture after it has been constructed and even after you take it home.
You can test the quality of the leather by gently moving your fingers across the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps just like the skin of a human. If it feels smooth and cold it's likely fake or it's bonded.
Alternately, you can take one of the cushions and examine the back. Faux and bonded hides will feature a polyurethane backing to help support the upholstery. Genuine leather has an untreated back and is similar to coarse suede. If the sofa has a woven backing it is not real leather.
Peter advises that if you are trying to decide whether a sofa is genuine the best method is to hold it up against your body and then gently move your fingers across the surface. The grit of the leather will make your fingernails slightly dull, and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel warm and supple to the touch.
The sofa's back and checking the upholstery will also tell you if it is genuine. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa while genuine leather is a single, continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.
When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, think about how much use it is likely to get and how long you'd like it to last. The more you use a couch, the more it will need to be taken care of. Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's suppleness intact and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.
