How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

This sofa is a wonderful addition to any space. The leather upholstery is buttery soft. Customers love its simple style, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.

Untrained eyes may be unable to discerning the difference between genuine and faux leather. Here are six tips to help you distinguish between the two: 1. The rough edges.

1. Check the label

Real leather has a unique style and feel that's difficult to duplicate. It's also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't absorb excess body oils. This makes it a great choice for allergy sufferers. However not all leather sofas are made to be the same. In fact, some retailers have been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather.

To avoid being scammed, it's essential to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining the difference between top and full grain leather, and also assessing the quality of the upholstery material. The most knowledgeable retailers are more than happy to provide you with this information, so don't hesitate to ask!

To determine if you have a genuine leather couch, first glance at the label. It should clearly identify the kind of leather it is upholstered with, along with any other materials such as cotton or fabric. Additionally, reliable sellers will have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you're dissatisfied 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 check for synthetic material. You can also look at the texture of the leather to see if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indications that the leather is fake or is bonded.

Another method to determine the quality of a sofa is by the surface of the sofa with your fingertips. Genuine leather has a soft, smooth texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is more coarse and feels like suede. You should also be able to discern the difference between bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.

A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a imitation counterpart, but it will last longer. It can become an important family heirloom with time. You can limit the damage that's caused by sun as well as ozone, heat and humidity by placing your leather sofa in a cool, dark room away from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioning. Leather protection creams can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.

2. Look to the back

If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather sofa is, you need to get up-close and intimate with it. The scent, the feel and the back are all obvious indicators.

When you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel perfectly smooth. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different shaped pores which allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels smooth suggests it could be fake leather.

Another thing to look for is unevenness or bumps on the surface. The process of making genuine leather requires buffing, which removes some of the rough outer skin. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.

You can also test the leather by running your fingers over it and pressing down into it. If it's genuine, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit as human skin does. This means it's able to breathe, ensuring that the material doesn't become dry and cracked over time.

Faux leather is printed and therefore has a consistent 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 supple, a little stiff when it's new, but it should not break or dry out over time if conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream.

To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of synthetic and real leather to create their furniture. The contact areas, like the arm rests, seats and backs, are constructed from real leather while the non-contact components, like the base and the outside arms, are covered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or small leather couch-like synthetic fabric. This is a common practice and even if the sofa has a genuine leather label, you should check it carefully to see what the backing is made from, as it is a clear indication that it's not genuine leather.

Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, you need to get up close and intimate with it. Examine the back of the sofa for any signs of polyurethane which is a sign that it's not genuine leather.

3. Take a look at the seat

A genuine leather sofa's seat is also an excellent indicator of the quality. While many faux leather chaise lounge couches use a mixture of materials for the upholstery Genuine leather has a distinctive texture that is soft to the touch, but isn't entirely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps under the surface, and a distinct natural, fresh scent. These characteristics differentiate real luxury leather sofa set from imitations or cheap leather.

Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched together in a large, continuous piece. While this is not unusual with faux leather couch leather, if you see this with genuine top-grain leather, it's most likely a sign that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.

The price and the label might provide an idea but the only certain method of knowing is to feel the furniture. Genuine leather shouldn't be flawless and have a rough feel. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. Genuine leather is soft and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be a sign of whether it is genuine.

Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design for good reason. They're elegant durable, long-lasting, and durable. It's also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a great option for families with children or pets. The best thing about genuine leather, is that it's a classic design that won't be trendy, and it's still available in a variety of price points.

For a classic leather couch that can stand the test of time, look into the Pottery Barn Turner. This two-seater may be quite expensive but it's constructed with top-grain leather that will last for a lifetime. It's a great choice for those with limited space, since it comes in with three sizes and will fit in the majority of rooms.

If you're looking for something bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an elegant, angular style with cylindrical pillows and a sleek frame. The frame is made out of composite, plywood and plastic, this sofa has genuine leather in the seating area which is a welcome improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.

4. Take a look at the smell

Genuine leather couches clearance has a distinct smell that is a natural organic skin scent that is unable to be duplicated. If the sofa that you're looking to purchase has a strong artificial smell, it is not genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on furniture long after it's been manufactured.

One way to check the quality of a leather sofa is to gently run your fingers over the surface. Real leather will have lumps and bumps just like the skin of a human. If it feels smooth and cold, it is most likely fake or bonded leather.

You can also remove one of the cushions to inspect the backing. False and bonded hides have a polyurethane back to support the manufactured upholstery. Genuine leather has a back that is untreated, similar to coarse suede. If the sofa has a woven backing, it is not genuine leather.

Peter says that the best way to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The roughness of the leather will cause your fingers to become dull, and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel warm and supple to the touch.

Reversing the sofa to its back and inspecting the upholstery will also let you know if the sofa is genuine. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa while genuine leather is one continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.

Consider how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it will last before you decide on the right. The more you use your couch, the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using a special leather conditioner to help maintain the suppleness and softness of the leather and keep it from becoming hard and dry.