How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

With a buttery-soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. Customers adore its simple styling and top-quality, genuine leather upholstery.

Untrained eyes may be unable to discerning the difference between genuine and faux small leather corner sofa. Here are six suggestions to help you distinguish between the two seater leather sofa: 1. Edges that are rough.

1. Labels are important

Genuine leather has a distinctive style and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also robust and easy to clean. It does not absorb body oils, making it a perfect choice for those with allergies. Not all leather sofas, however, are made equally. In fact, some sellers have been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather.

Understanding the different types leather will help you to 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. Discerning retailers will be more than willing to share this information So don't hesitate ask!

To identify a genuine leather couch, you must first examine the label. It should clearly state what type of leather the sofa is covered in, as well as any other materials like fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable suppliers will have clear policies regarding return or exchange in case you aren't happy with your purchase.

If the sofa doesn't come with any label but you can figure out its authenticity by examining the fabric backing or opening up the cushion casing to look for synthetic material. You can also examine the texture of the leather and determine whether it has any bumps or imperfections, since these are indicators that you're dealing in fake or the leather is bonded.

You can also test the sofa's integrity by touching its surface. Genuine leather has a soft, smooth texture. Bonded or faux leather is coarser and feels more like suede. You should also be in a position to feel the difference between the wrinkles, bumps, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.

While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than a faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and often become family heirlooms over the years. Place your leather sofa in an airy, cool room, away from heaters, fireplaces, and air conditioners. This will help reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity, and the ozone. Creams for protection on leather can be used to keep your leather sofa sturdy and supple.

2. Look at the back

If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather sofa is, you need to get up close and personal with it. The smell, feel, and back will all be a clear indication of authenticity.

When you touch the surface of genuine leather, it will not feel smooth and silky. This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. However, a leather product that is smooth and soft suggests that it may be fake leather.

Another thing to be aware of is bumps or an uneven surface. The process of preparing genuine leather requires buffing, which removes some of the rough outer skin. If the material covering your sofa is top grain leather, there'll still be some bumps.

You can also test the leather by running your fingers over it and pressing down into it. If the leather is real, it will stretch and wrinkle like human skin. This means that it's capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather doesn't get dry and crack over time.

Faux leather is printed and has a uniform pattern while genuine leather will have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This can be seen in scratches, creases and scuffs. A good genuine leather sofa will be soft, a little stiff when new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream.

To cut costs, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of synthetic and real leather for their products. The areas that are 'contact, such as seats and armrests, as well as backs, are made of real leather, whereas the non-contact parts, such as base and outside arms, are upholstered with a less-expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a typical practice, and even if the sofa has authentic leather labels be sure to examine it carefully to see what the backing is made of, since this is an instant giveaway that it's not authentic leather.

Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, it's important to be able to get close and intimate with it. Examine the back of the sofa for polyurethane which indicates that it's not genuine leather.

3. Check out the seat

A genuine leather sofa's seat is a good indicator of quality. While most faux leather couches leather make use of a mixture of materials for the upholstery, genuine leather has a unique texture that is soft to the touch. It isn't totally uniform in color or shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a strong, natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from fake or low-quality imitations.

If the leather is stitched in a continuous, huge piece, this is another warning sign. This is typical with faux leather. However, when it's seen on genuine top-grain leather it is best to stay clear of the sofa.

Pricing and labels may give you a hint, but the only way to determine is to be in close proximity to the furniture. Genuine leather will not be flawless and have a rough feel. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. The softness of genuine leather also feels distinct from synthetic materials and the temperature of the furniture will tell whether it's constructed using genuine materials.

A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for good reason: It's stylish, durable and lasts for a long time. It's also easy to clean and resistant to spills of liquid. This makes it a perfect option for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never go out of style. It's also available in various price ranges.

Think about Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last for a lifetime. While this two-seater model is more expensive, it's crafted with quality top-quality leather and features a classic silhouette that won't date quickly. It's a great choice for those with limited space as it comes in with three sizes and will fit in most rooms.

This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option if you want something a bit more contemporary. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has a sleek, angular design with cylindrical pillows and an elegant frame. The sofa is constructed of plywood as well as composite and plastic. The leather is only used in the seating area. It's an upgrade from Ikea's faux-leather sofa, which won CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.

4. Take a look at the smell

Real leather has a distinctive scent. It's an organic, natural scent that cannot be duplicated. If the sofa you're looking to purchase has a strong, artificial scent, it is not genuine. Most often, this is due to the chemicals used to make the rustic leather sofa, which linger in the furniture after it has been manufactured and even after you bring it home.

One way to check the quality of leather sofas is to gently run your fingers along the surface. Real leather will have lumps and bumps similar to the skin of a human. If it feels smooth and cold it's likely fake or bonded.

Alternately, you can open up one of the cushions and look at the backing. False and bonded hides have a polyurethane back to help support the upholstery. Genuine leather has an untreated back like coarse suede. If you see a woven fabric backing, it's an obvious sign that the couch isn't real leather.

Peter says that the best method to determine whether a sofa is real is to lightly run your fingernails across the surface. The roughness of the leather should make your fingers a little dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It should also feel soft and warm to the touch.

Turning the sofa on its back and examining the upholstery will tell you if it is genuine. Faux and bonded leather 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 you are deciding on the type of your leather sofa, take into consideration the amount of use it will receive and how long you'd like it to last. The more you utilize your couch the more care it will require. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning using a leather conditioner. This will help to keep the leather's softness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.