The No. #1 Question Everybody Working In Genuine Leather Sofa Should Be Able Answer
How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any room. Customers love its simple style, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
But recognizing real leather from fake leather can be difficult to the untrained eye. Here are six useful ways to tell the difference between real and faux: 1. Rough edges.
1. Look at the label
Real leather is hard to duplicate. It has a unique appearance and feel. It is also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't absorb excess body oils. This makes it ideal for those suffering from allergies. However there are many different leather sofas that are created to be the same. Some stores have even been famous for using PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types of leather will help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Don't hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
To identify a genuine leather couch, you should first look at the label. The label should clearly state the type of leather used to cover the sofa, and any other materials such a fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier should also have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you are not happy with the purchase.
If the sofa doesn't come with a label, you can still verify its authenticity by checking the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also check the texture of the leather to see if there are any bumps or blemishes. These are signs that the leather is fake or has been bonded.
You can also test the quality of the sofa by rubbing its surface. Genuine leather will have a soft and smooth texture, whereas bonded or faux leather will be coarser and more akin to suede. You should also be able to feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than a faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and often end up as family heirlooms through the years. Place your leather sofa in a bright cool and cool room, far from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioners. This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity, and the ozone. Leather protection creams can also be used to keep your leather sofa sturdy and soft.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label doesn't reveal what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get up-close and personal with it. The scent, the feel and backing will all be clear indicators of authenticity.
When you get a feel of genuine leather, it won't feel perfectly smooth. This is because animal hides have a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth may be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away some of the rough outer layer. If cheap leather couches covering your sofa is top grain leather, there'll still be some bumps.
You can also test leather by putting your fingers into it and running it over it. If the leather is genuine, it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This means it's capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather doesn't get dry and cracked over time.
Faux leather has a consistent pattern because it is printed, whereas genuine leather will have imperfections that contribute to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches and creases. Genuine leather is soft and a bit stiff when it is new. However, it shouldn't dry out or crack when you treat it regularly by applying a leather protection cream.
To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of real and synthetic leather to create their furniture. The 'contact areas' such as the arm rests, chairs and backs, are constructed from genuine leather, while non-contact parts, such as the base and the outside arms, are covered with the less expensive polyurethane or a synthetic leather. This is a common practice however, even if the sofa has authentic leather labels be sure to examine it carefully to see the material that the back is made of, as this is an instant giveaway that it isn't true genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather it's essential to get up close and intimate with it. Smell it, touch it and check its back for a polyurethane backing that is a clear indicator that it is not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indicator of its quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which is an amalgamation of materials. It has a unique texture and feels smooth when you touch it. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a rich natural, fresh scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from fake or low-quality fakes.
If the leather is stitched in a single, large piece, this is another warning sign. This is common in faux leather but if it's on genuine top-grain leather, you should avoid the sofa.
Pricing and labels may give you an idea however the only way to be sure is to get up close to the furniture. Genuine leather will not be perfect and feel uneven. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. The suppleness of genuine leather is different from synthetic material, and the temperature of the furniture will tell whether or not it's built using genuine materials.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for good reason: It's stylish, durable and long-lasting. It is also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a perfect option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never go out of fashion. It's also available in various price ranges.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last for a lifetime. While this two-seater model is priced higher but it's made of high-end top-grain leather and has a timeless design that won't date quickly. It's a great choice for those with limited space, since 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 a cylindrical pillow and an elegant frame. The frame is made out of composite, plywood and plastic, this sofa has genuine leather in the seating area, which is a nice step up from Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Real leather has a distinctive smell that is a natural organic skin scent that cannot be duplicated. If the sofa you're considering buying has a strong, artificial scent it's not real. Most often, this is due to the chemicals used in the process of making the leather, which linger in the furniture after it has been made and even once you bring it home.
You can determine the quality of the leather by running your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will feel rough and have bumps and lumps like human skin. If it feels soft and cold, it is most likely fake or the leather is bonded.
You can also open one of the cushions to inspect the backing. Faux and bonded hides will feature a polyurethane backing to help support the upholstery. Genuine leather has an untreated back, similar to coarse suede. If you see a woven fabric backing, it's an obvious sign that the couch isn't genuine leather.
Peter advises that if you are trying to determine whether a sofa is genuine the best way to determine authenticity is to hold it up against your body and then gently move your fingers across the surface. The roughness of the leather should make your fingernails slightly dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel soft and warm to the touch.
Reversing the sofa to its back and examining the upholstery will also determine if it's genuine. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic-coated faux or bond leather.
When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, think about 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 regular and gentle cleaning with a special leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness of the leather and keep it from becoming hard and dry.