How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

This sofa is a great option for any room. Its 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 suggestions to help you differentiate between the two types: 1. Rough edges.

1. Take a look at the label

Genuine leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a distinctive feel and look. It's also robust and easy to clean. It does not absorb body oils, which makes it a great choice for those with allergies. Not all leather sofas, however, are made equal. In fact, some sellers have been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather.

Understanding the different types of leather can help you avoid being scammed. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask your favorite retailers for this information.

The first step to identify the genuine leather sofa is to check the label. The label should clearly identify the kind of leather used to cover the sofa, as well as any other materials, such as fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier should also have clear policies regarding return or exchange if you are not satisfied with your purchase.

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

You can also test the quality of the sofa by touching its surface. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is more coarse and feels like suede. In addition you should be able to feel the difference between the wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather as well as the printed patterns on faux leather.

While a genuine leather sofa may cost more than a faux counterpart It's a wise investment as it will last longer and will be a family heirloom over the years. You can reduce the damage that's caused by sun or ozone, heat, humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark room far from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioners. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and strong.

2. Check out the back

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

Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you feel it. This is because animal hides have different pores which allow them to breathe. A product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather.

Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is prepared by buffing away the rough outer layer. If the leather covering your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.

You can also test the leather by running your finger over it and pressing into it. If it's real the leather will stretch and wrinkle slightly as human skin does. This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracked over time.

Faux leather has a consistent pattern due to the fact that it is printed, while genuine leather has imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches and creases. Genuine leather is soft and a bit stiff when it's new. But, it should not dry out or crack when you regularly condition it with a leather protection cream.

To save money, some furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of real and synthetic leather to create their furniture. The 'contact areas' such as the seats, arm rests and backs are made from real leather while the non-contact areas, like the base and the outside arms, are upholstered with a less expensive polyurethane or synthetic leather. Even if the sofa is labelled as genuine leather, look closely 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 essential to be able to get close and close to it. Take a whiff, rub it, and then check its back for a backing of polyurethane which is an obvious indicator that it is not genuine leather.

3. Check out the seat

The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another sign of its high-quality. While the majority of faux leather couches utilize various fabrics for the upholstery, genuine leather has a distinct texture that feels smooth to the touch and is not completely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface as well as a deep natural, fresh scent. These characteristics distinguish real leather from low-grade or artificial fakes.

If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, this is another dead giveaway. This is common with faux leather, but if it is seen on real top-grain and you are looking for a sofa, avoid the sofa.

Pricing and labels can give you a hint, but the only way to determine is to be in close proximity with the furniture. Genuine leather isn't perfect, and it should be a bit uneven to the feel. It also has fat wrinkles under the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's made of genuine materials.

A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay because it's elegant, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to wipe clean and resists spills of liquid which makes it a great option for families with pets or children. The best thing about genuine leather, however it's that it's a classic design that will never ever go out of fashion, and it's still available in a variety of prices.

Consider the Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last for a lifetime. The two-seater might be expensive, but it is made of top-quality leather that can last for a long time. It's a great choice for those who have small spaces, too, since it comes in three sizes and is small enough to fit into most rooms.

This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice to consider if you're looking for something more modern. This sofa is a Mid Century Faux Leather Sofa with Pillows-century modern-inspired design Double Recliner Loveseat With Console Cup Holders a sleek, angular frame and cylindrical pillows that are a perfect blend of design and function. The sofa is constructed of plywood, composite, and plastic. The leather is only used in the seating area. It's a step up from Ikea’s faux-leather corner lounge sofa that won CHOICE’s "Shonky Award" in 2015.

4. Look at the smell

Genuine leather has a distinctive scent - a natural, organic skin scent that is unable to be duplicated. If the sofa you are trying to buy has a strong synthetic smell it is a sign that it's not authentic. This is often caused by the chemicals that were used to make leather. These chemicals can remain on the furniture even after it's been manufactured.

A good way to test the quality of a leather sofa is to run your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps similar to the human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it is most likely faux or the leather is bonded.

You can also open one of the cushions to look at the backing. Faux and bonded leather will have some form of polyurethane backing that supports the fabric, whereas true leather has an untreated backing that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If you notice a woven backing, it's a dead giveaway that the couch isn't real leather.

Peter suggests that if are trying to determine whether the sofa is authentic the best method is to put it against your body and then gently run your fingers along the surface. The grit of the leather should make your fingernails slightly dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel soft and warm to the touch.

Another method to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to turn it over on its side and look at the back of the upholstery. 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 deciding on the best. The more you use your couch the more attention it will require. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's softness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.