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 the premium quality genuine leather couches leather upholstery.

Untrained eyes may be unable to identifying the difference between real and fake leather. Here are six tips to help you tell the difference: 1. Rough edges.

1. Labels are essential

Real leather has a unique 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 those with allergies. Not all leather sofas are created equal. Some retailers have even been famous for using PVC as genuine leather.

To avoid being scammed, it's crucial to be aware of the various kinds of leather. This includes determining the differences between full grain and top grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery material. The most knowledgeable retailers will be more than happy to provide you with this information So don't hesitate inquire!

To identify a genuine leather sofa, you must first examine the label. It should clearly indicate what type of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other material such as cotton or fabric. A reputable supplier will also have clear policies regarding exchange or return if you are not happy with your purchase.

If the sofa does not have a label you can still check its authenticity by checking the upholstery's fabric backing or opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather and see whether it has any bumps or imperfections, because these are indicators that you're dealing in fake or bonded leather.

Another way to check the authenticity of a sofa is by the surface of the sofa with your fingertips. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. Bonded or faux leather is more coarse and feels like suede. Furthermore, you will feel a difference between the wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather as well as the printed patterns on faux leather.

While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than a imitation counterpart It's a wise investment as it will last longer and often become family heirlooms over the years. Place your leather sofa in a light cool and cool room, far from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioners. This will help reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat and Ozone. Additionally, you can use vintage leather sofa protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and sturdy.

2. Look to the back

If the label does not tell you what type of leather is in a sofa, it's essential to examine it close. The smell, feel, and back will all be a clear indication of authenticity.

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

Be aware of bumps and uneven surfaces. The process of preparing genuine leather requires buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. But if the material used to cover your sofa is top-grain leather, it will still be bumpy.

You can also test the leather by running your finger over it and pressing into it. If the leather is real, it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracking as time passes.

Faux leather is printed, and thus has a consistent pattern, while genuine leather will have natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This includes creases, scratches and scuffs. A quality leather sofa will be supple and slightly stiff when it's new, but it should not crack or dry out over time if regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream.

Some furniture manufacturers combine real leather with synthetic leather in order to save money. The 'contact' areas like seats and armrests, as well as backs, are made of real leather, while the non-contact portions such as the outside and base arms, are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. Even if a couch is labelled as genuine leather, you should look closely at the backing to determine if it is genuine leather.

Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to be sure a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to meet up close and close to it. Look at the back of the sofa for polyurethane which is a sign that it's not genuine leather.

3. Look at the seat

The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another sign of its high-quality. While many Faux Leather couch leather couches use different fabrics for the upholstery Genuine leather has a unique texture that is smooth to the touch, but isn't completely uniform in color and shade. Be aware of bumps on the surface and a strong natural, fresh scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from fakes and low-grade leather.

If the leather is stitched in a continuous, huge piece, it's a obvious sign. While this is not unusual when using faux leather, if you observe this with real top-grain leather, it's most likely a sign that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided.

The price and label may give you an idea, but the only sure way to know is to actually touch the furniture. Genuine leather will not be perfect and feel uneven. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. The softness of genuine leather also feels different from synthetic material, and the temperature of the furniture will reveal whether or not it's built with authentic materials.

Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design, and with good reason. They're elegant durable, long-lasting and durable. It is also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a great option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never go out of style. It's also available in a variety of price ranges.

Take a look at Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last for a lifetime. The two-seater might be quite expensive, but it is made using top-quality leather that will 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 the majority of rooms.

If you're looking for something little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This sofa is a mid-century modern design with an angular, sleek frame and asymmetrical pillows that combine design and function. This sofa is made 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. Check out the smell

Genuine leather has a distinctive smell - a natural, organic skin scent that is unable to be replicated. If the sofa that you're looking to purchase has a strong artificial smell it's not real. This is usually caused by the chemicals used to treat leather. These chemicals can linger on the furniture even after it's been manufactured.

You can check the quality of leather by running your fingers over the surface. Real leather will have bumps and lumps like the human skin. If it feels smooth and cold it's probably fake or bonded.

You can also remove one of the cushions to look at the backing. Faux and bonded hides will feature a polyurethane backing to provide support for the manufactured upholstery. True leather has an untreated back like coarse suede. If the couch has a woven backing it is not real leather.

Peter says that the best way to tell if a sofa is real is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingers a little dull, and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It will also feel warm to the touch.

Another way to determine if a sofa is genuine is to turn it on its side and check the back of the upholstery. The faux leather sofa set leather and bonded leather will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather will be a single, continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.

When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, take into consideration how much use it will get and how long you'd like it to last. The more you utilize your couch the more attention it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning with a special leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness and softness of the leather and prevent it from becoming hard and dry.