How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

This sofa is a great option for any room. The leather upholstery is buttery soft. Customers love its simple style and the premium quality genuine leather upholstery.

Untrained eyes may have difficulty identifying the difference between real and fake leather. Here are six helpful ways to tell the difference between real and faux: 1. The rough edges.

1. Check the label

Real leather has a distinct appearance and feel that's difficult to replicate. It is also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't absorb excess body oils. This makes it perfect for people suffering from allergies. However, not all leather sofas are made equal. In fact, some sellers have been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather.

Understanding the different types leather will help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Do not hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.

To determine if you have a genuine leather couch, you should first look at the label. It should clearly identify the type of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other material such as fabric or cotton. Reputable suppliers will also have clear policies regarding return or exchange if you aren't satisfied with your purchase.

If the sofa does not have a label, you can still verify its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing of the sofa or opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather to see if there are any bumps or imperfections. These are signs that the leather is fake or is bonded.

Another way to test the integrity of a sofa is by touching its surface with your fingertips. Genuine leather will have a soft and smooth texture, whereas faux leather or bonded leather will be rougher and more akin to suede. You should also be in a position to feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.

While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and can often become family heirlooms over the years. You can reduce the damage that's caused by sun as well as ozone, heat and humidity by placing your leather sofa in a cool, dark area away from fireplaces, heaters and air cooling units. Leather protection creams can also be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.

2. Take a look at the back

If the label doesn't inform you what kind of leather sofa is, you need to get up close and close to it. The smell, feel, and back will all be unmistakable indicators of authenticity.

Genuine leather won't feel smooth when you feel it. This is because animal hides have different pores which allow them to breathe. However, a leather product that feels completely smooth suggests it could be fake leather.

Another thing to look out for is bumps or an uneven surface. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away some of the rough outer layer. 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 into it. If it's genuine, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit similar to human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracked in 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 creases and scratches. A genuine leather sofa will be soft, a little stiff when new, however it shouldn't crack or dry out in time if it's regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream.

Some furniture manufacturers combine real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The contact areas like seats, armrests, and backs, are made of real leather, while the non-contact areas such as the outside and base arms, are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. This is a typical practice however, even if the sofa has an authentic leather label be sure to examine carefully to determine the material that the back is made of, as this will be a quick indicator that it's not genuine leather sofa set.

Labels and prices can point 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. Look at the back of the sofa for traces of polyurethane, which is an indication that it's not genuine leather.

3. Check out the seat

A genuine leather sofa's seating is an excellent indicator of the quality. While many faux leather sofa leather couches use a mixture of materials for upholstery authentic leather has a distinct texture that is soft to the touch. It isn't completely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a strong, natural smell. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from fakes and low-grade leather.

If the Leather sofas living room, google.Ps, is stitched in a continuous, huge piece, this is another obvious sign. While this is not unusual with faux leather, if you notice this with real top-grain leather, it's likely to indicate that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided.

The price and the label might give you an idea, but the only sure method of knowing is to actually touch the furniture. Genuine leather isn't perfect, and it will feel rough to the touch. It will also have fat wrinkles under the surface and rough edges. The softness of genuine leather also feels different from synthetic material, and the temperature of the furniture will indicate whether or not it's built using genuine materials.

A leather sofa is a staple of interior design because it's elegant, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to clean and resists spills of liquid making it a good choice for families with children or pets. The best part about genuine leather it's that it's a timeless style that will never be trendy, and it's still accessible at a variety of price points.

For a timeless leather couch that will stand the test of time, look into the Pottery Barn Turner. The two-seater is quite expensive however it's made of top-quality leather that can 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 in the majority of rooms.

If you're looking for something a bit more contemporary, look at this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This mid-century modern-inspired sofa features an angular, sleek design with cylindrical pillows and a sleek frame. The sofa is constructed of plywood as well as composite and plastic. However, the leather is only used for the seating area. It is a step up from Ikea’s faux-leather sofa, which won CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.

4. Look at the smell

Real leather has a distinctive smell that is a natural organic skin scent that can't be duplicated. If the sofa you're trying to buy has a strong smell of synthetic it is a sign that it isn't genuine. It is usually due to the chemicals used in the process of making the tufted leather sofa. They remain in the furniture after it has been made and even once you bring it home.

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

You can also remove one of the cushions to examine the back. The faux and bonded hides include a polyurethane back that will help support the upholstery. Genuine leather has an untreated back and is similar to coarse suede. If the couch is backed by a woven fabric that is not genuine leather.

Peter says that the best way to determine if a sofa is real is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The scratches on the leather will dull your fingernails, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel warm and supple to the touch.

Another way to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to turn it over on its side and check the back of the upholstery. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or bonded leather.

When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, consider how much use it is likely to get and how long you want it to last. The more you use your sofa, the more it will need to be taken care of. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning with an exclusive conditioner for leather to keep the suppleness of the leather and prevent it from becoming hard and dry.