How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa is a wonderful addition to any room. Its leather upholstery is buttery soft. Customers love its simple style, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may be unable to in discerning the difference between real and faux leather. Here are six tips to help you tell the difference between real and faux: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are important
Real leather has a distinct appearance and feel that's difficult to duplicate. It's also durable and easy to clean. It also does not absorb body oils, which makes it a great choice for those with allergies. Not all leather sofas are created equal. In fact, some sellers have been known to pass off PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types leather will help you to avoid being ripped off. This includes determining top-grain and full grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the upholstery. Discerning retailers are more than pleased to provide this information and more, so don't hesitate to inquire!
To determine if you have a genuine leather sofa first glance at the label. The label should clearly state the type of leather used to cover the sofa, and any other materials like fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable sellers will have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you're dissatisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still confirm its authenticity by looking at 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 bumps or imperfections. These are signs that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
Another method to determine the authenticity of a sofa is touching its surface by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. Bonded or faux leather is more coarse and feels like suede. You should also be able to feel the difference between the wrinkles, bumps 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 important family heirloom with time. Place your leather sofa in a light cool and cool room, far from heaters, fireplaces, and air cooling 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 supple.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather a sofa is, it's important to get up close and close to it. The smell, feel, and back will all be clear indicators of authenticity.
When you get a feel of genuine leather, it will not feel smooth and perfect. This is because animal hides have different pores which allow them to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth may be fake leather.
Another thing to be aware of is uneven or bumpy surface. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away the rough outer layer. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.
You can also test the quality of leather by pressing your finger into it and running it over it. If it's real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little as human skin does. This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracking in time.
Faux leather has a consistent pattern due to the fact that it is printed, whereas genuine leather is prone to imperfections that contribute to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches, creases and marks. A good genuine leather sofa is soft, a little stiff when new, however it should not crack or dry out over time if conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream.
Some furniture manufacturers combine real leather with synthetic leather in order to save money. The contact areas, such as seats, armrests, and backs, are made from real leather, while the non-contact parts such as the base and outside arms, are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. This is a common practice, and even if the couch has authentic leather labels be sure to examine it carefully to see what the backing is made from, as this is an instant giveaway that it isn't true genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can help you determine if a sofa is genuine leather However, it is essential to examine it in person. Feel it, smell it and look at its back for a backing made of polyurethane which is an obvious indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seating is an indicator of its quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which uses a combination of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels smooth when you touch it. Look for bumps beneath the surface as well as a deep, natural smell. These characteristics distinguish real leather from cheap or fake imitations.
If the leather is stitched in a single, large piece, that's another dead giveaway. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you see this with real top-grain leather, it's likely to indicate that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels can give you an idea, but the only way to be sure is to be in close proximity with the furniture. Genuine leather will not be flawless and have a rough feel. leather chaise lounge has rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather feels supple and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can also indicate whether it is genuine.
A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay because it's stylish, durable and long-lasting. In addition, it's easy to clean and resists liquid spills, making it a smart option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless style that will never go out of fashion. It's also available in different price ranges.
Take a look at Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last for a lifetime. While this two-seater is priced higher however, it's constructed with high-end top-grain leather and has a timeless design that won't fade away. It's an excellent choice for those who have small rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit into most rooms.
If you're looking for something little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an angular, sleek design with cylindrical pillows and a sleek frame. The frame is made from 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 CHOICE's "Shonky" award in the year 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Real leather has an unmistakable smell. It's an organic, natural scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa you're looking to purchase has a strong synthetic smell it's not real. It is usually due to the chemicals used to make the leather, which remain in the furniture after it's been manufactured and even after you take it home.
You can determine the quality of the leather by gently running your fingers over the surface. Genuine leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps as human skin. If it is smooth and cold, it's most likely faux or the leather is bonded.
Alternately, you can take one of the cushions and look at the backing. Faux and bonded hides will have a polyurethane back to help support the upholstery. True leather has a back that is untreated and is similar to coarse suede. If the sofa has a woven backing, it 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 grit of the leather will make your fingers a little dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It also feels warm to the contact.
Another way to determine whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it over on its side and check the back of the sofa. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or bond leather.
When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, take into consideration how much use it is likely to receive and how long you'd like it to last. The more you use your sofa, the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning using a conditioner for leather. This will help to keep the leather's softness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.