How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

This sofa is a great addition to any space. Its leather corner lounge upholstery is soft and silky. Customers love its simple style, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.

But recognizing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge for the untrained eye. Here are six useful ways to tell the difference: 1. Edges that are rough.

1. Check the label

Real leather has a unique style and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also durable, easy to clean and does not absorb body oils, which makes it a great choice for those with allergies. Not all leather sofas, however, are created equal. Some retailers have even been famous for using PVC as genuine leather.

To ensure that you don't get ripped off, it's important to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, and also evaluating the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Discerning retailers will be more than happy to provide you with this information and more, so don't hesitate to inquire!

The first step to identifying the genuine leather sofa is to look at the label. The label should clearly identify the kind of leather used to cover the sofa and any other materials such a fabric or cotton. Reputable suppliers will also have clear policies regarding return or exchange if you are not 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 a cushion casing to check for synthetic material. You can also examine the texture of the leather and determine whether it has any imperfections or bumps, because these are indicators that you're dealing in fake or bonded leather.

Another way to test the authenticity of a sofa is by the surface of the sofa with your fingertips. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. Bonded or faux leather is rougher and feels more like suede. In addition, you should be able to discern the difference between 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 faux counterpart but it's an investment that will last longer and will be a family heirloom over the years. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity and Ozone. In addition, you can apply leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and sturdy.

2. Look to the back

If the label doesn't reveal what kind of leather sofa is, it's essential to get close and personal with it. The smell, feel and backing will all be unmistakable indicators of authenticity.

Genuine leather may not feel smooth when you touch it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow them to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth could be fake leather.

Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. The preparation of genuine leather involves buffing, which removes some of the rough outer skin. If the leather 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 into it. If it's genuine the leather will stretch and wrinkle slightly similar to human skin. This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracked as time passes.

Faux leather is uniform in pattern because it is printed, however genuine leather has imperfections that add to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases, scratches and scars. Genuine leather is soft and a little stiff when it's new. However, it shouldn't crack or dry out when you regularly condition it by applying a leather protection cream.

Some furniture manufacturers combine real leather with synthetic leather in order to save money. The contact areas like seats, armrests, and backs, are constructed of genuine leather, while the non-contact portions such as the base and outside arms, are upholstered with a less-expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a standard practice and even if a couch is branded with authentic leather labels, 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 help identify a genuine leather sofa It is however important to inspect it up close. Smell it, touch it, and then check its back for a backing of polyurethane which is an obvious indication that it's not genuine leather.

3. Check out the seat

The seat of a genuine leather sofa is an additional indicator of its quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which is a combination of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels smooth when touched. Look for bumps under the surface and a strong, natural smell. These characteristics differentiate real leather from fakes or low-grade leather.

If the Leather couches clearance (Fox-terrell.Federatedjournals.com) is stitched in a continuous, huge piece, this is another obvious sign. Although this isn't uncommon when using faux leather, if you see this with real top-grain leather it's likely to indicate that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided.

Pricing and labels may provide a clue, but the only way to be sure is to sit down to the furniture. Genuine leather will not be perfect and not feel uneven. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather is soft and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be an indication of whether it's genuine.

A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay for a reason: It's stylish, durable and lasts for a long time. It is also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a great option for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless style that will never be out of style. It's also available in different prices.

If you're looking for a classic leather sofa that will last for a long time, consider the Pottery Barn Turner. While this two-seater is priced higher but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features an elegant design that won't date quickly. It's a great choice for those with smaller rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit in the majority of rooms.

This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option if you want something more modern. This mid-century-modern-inspired couch features an angular, sleek design with a cylindrical pillow and an elegant frame. While the frame is crafted from plywood, composite and plastic, the sofa is made of genuine leather in the seating area, which is a welcome improvement over Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.

4. Look at the smell

Genuine leather has a distinctive scent - a natural, organic skin scent that cannot be replicated. If the sofa that you're trying to purchase has a strong, artificial scent it's not authentic. This is often caused by the chemicals used to treat leather. These chemicals can remain on furniture long after it's been constructed.

One way to check the quality of a leather sofa is to run your fingers across the surface. Real leather will feel rough and include lumps and bumps, just as human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it is most likely faux or bonded leather.

You can also open up one of the cushions and look at the backing. False and bonded leather may have a polyurethane backing to help support the upholstery that is manufactured, whereas true leather has an untreated backing that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If the couch is backed by a woven fabric it is not real leather.

Peter suggests that if you are trying to determine whether the 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 will cause your fingers to become dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It also feels warm to the contact.

Another way to determine if a sofa is genuine is to turn it on its side and examine the back of the couch. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic-coated faux or bond leather.

Consider how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it will last when choosing the quality. The more you utilize a sofa and the more you use it, the more it'll need to be maintained. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning using a conditioner for leather. This will help keep the leather's softness and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.