How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa is a great addition to any room. Its leather upholstery is buttery soft. Customers adore its simple styling and premium, genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may be unable to discerning the difference between genuine and faux leather. Here are six suggestions to help you distinguish between the two: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Genuine leather has a distinctive style and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also robust and easy to clean. It doesn't absorb excess body oils, which makes it a great choice for families with allergies. However not all leather sofas are made equally. leather living room sets have even been known for passing off PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types of leather can help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining the differences between full grain and top grain leather, and also assessing the quality of the upholstery material. Don't hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
To determine if leather couches for sale have a genuine leather couch, first glance at the label. vegan leather sofa should clearly indicate the type of leather used to cover the sofa, as well as any other materials like fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable sellers will have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you aren't happy with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label however, you can still figure out the authenticity of the sofa by examining the fabric backing or opening up a cushion casing to check for synthetic materials. You can also look at the texture of the leather to determine if it has any flaws or bumps since these are indicators that you're dealing with fake or bonded leather.
You can also test the sofa's integrity by touching the surface. Genuine leather has a soft, smooth texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is coarser and feels more like suede. Furthermore, you should be able to feel a difference between the bumps and wrinkles of genuine leather and the printed patterns on faux leather.
While a genuine leather sofa may cost more than a faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and can often end up as family heirlooms through the years. You can reduce the damage that's caused by sun as well as ozone, heat and humidity by putting your leather sofa in an airy, dark space away from heaters, fireplaces and air conditioning. Leather protection creams can also be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label does not indicate what kind of leather is present in the sofa, it is crucial to look it up close. The scent, the feel and the back are all obvious indicators.
Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you feel it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different shaped pores which allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather.
Be aware of bumps and uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away the rough outer layer. If the leather covering your sofa is top grain leather, there should still be some bumps.
You can also test the leather by running your fingers over it and pressing into it. If it's real the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit as human skin does. This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracked in time.
Faux leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes scratches and creases. A genuine leather sofa will be soft and slightly stiff when new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if it is regularly maintained with a specific leather protection cream.
Some furniture manufacturers combine real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The 'contact' areas such as seats and armrests as well as backs, are made of genuine leather, while the non-contact portions such as the outside and base arms are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a common practice however, even if a couch is branded with a genuine leather label, 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 prices can help you identify a genuine leather sofa It is however important to inspect it up close. Look at the back of the sofa for polyurethane which indicates that it's not genuine leather.
3. Take a look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indicator of its quality. While many faux leather couches use different materials for upholstery authentic leather has a unique texture that is smooth to the touch and is not totally uniform in color or shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface as well as a deep natural, fresh scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from low-grade or artificial imitations.
Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched together in a long, continuous piece. While this is not uncommon when using faux leather, if you see this with genuine top-grain leather it's likely to indicate that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels may provide a clue however the only way to determine is to be in close proximity to the furniture. Real leather should not be perfect and not feel uneven. It may also have large wrinkles on the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be a sign of whether it is made of genuine materials.
Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design for good reason. They're elegant, durable, and long-lasting. Additionally, it's easy to clean and resists liquid spills which makes it a great choice for families with children or pets. The best part about genuine leather it's that it's a classic design that will never be trendy and is still accessible at a variety of price points.
If you're looking for a classic leather sofa that will endure the test of time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. Although this two-seater is priced higher but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features a classic silhouette that won't fade away. It's an excellent choice for those with small spaces, too, as it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit into the majority of rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice if you want something more contemporary. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an angular, sleek design with a cylindrical pillow and a sleek frame. The frame is made from plywood, composite and plastic, this sofa has genuine leather in the seating area which is a welcome step up from Ikea's faux-leather couch, which was awarded the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in the year 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct scent - a natural, organic skin scent that can't be duplicated. If the sofa you're looking to purchase has a strong, artificial scent it's not real. This is usually caused by the chemicals that were used to process leather. These chemicals can remain on the furniture even after it's been made.
One way to check the quality of leather sofas is to gently rub your fingers over the surface. Real leather will feel rough and have bumps and lumps, just like human skin. If it is smooth and cold, it's probably faux or bonded.
You can also remove one of the cushions to inspect the back. The faux and bonded hides feature a polyurethane backing to provide support for the manufactured upholstery. True leather has an untreated back, similar to coarse suede. If the sofa has a woven backing, it is not genuine leather.
Peter suggests that if you are trying to decide whether the sofa is genuine the best way to determine authenticity is to hold it up against your body and move your fingers across the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingernails slightly dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a little. It should also feel warm and supple to the touch.
Reversing the sofa to its back and examining the upholstery will tell you if it is genuine. The faux leather and bonded leather will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather will be a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.
When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, think about how much use it will receive and how long you want it to last. The more you utilize a sofa in a given time, the more it will need to be maintained. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning using a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's suppleness intact and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.