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How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

With a buttery-soft leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any space. 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 ways to help you distinguish between the two: 1. Edges that are rough.

1. Labels are crucial

Genuine leather has a distinctive style and feel that's difficult to duplicate. It's also durable, easy to clean and doesn't absorb excess body oils, making it a perfect choice for families with allergies. However, not all leather sofas are created equal. Some retailers have even been known for passing off PVC as genuine Leather.

Understanding the different types leather will help you to avoid being scammed. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, and also evaluating the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask your favorite retailers for this information.

The first step to identifying authentic leather sofas is to examine the label. The label should clearly identify the kind of leather used to cover the sofa, as well as any other materials like fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable sellers will have clear policies regarding returning or exchanging items in the event you aren't satisfied with your purchase.

If the sofa doesn't have a label you can still confirm its authenticity by examining the upholstery's fabric backing or opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather to see if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indications that the leather is fake or has been bonded.

You can also test the quality of the sofa by touching the surface. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is rougher and feels more like 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 a genuine leather sofa will cost more than a imitation counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and be a family heirloom over the years. Place your leather sofa in an airy, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioning units. This will reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat, and ozone. faux leather couch can also be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.

2. Take a look at the back

If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather sofa is, it's important to get up-close and close to it. The scent, the feel and backing will all be a clear indication of authenticity.

If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it won't feel smooth and perfect. This is because animal hides have different pores that allow them to breathe. However, a leather product that is smooth and soft suggests that it may be fake leather.

Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away the rough outer layer. If the material covering 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 into it. If the leather is real it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and prevents it from becoming dry or cracking over time.

Faux leather has a uniform pattern because it's printed, however genuine leather will have imperfections that add to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases, scratches and scars. A genuine leather sofa is soft and a bit stiff when it's new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if it is regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream.

To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of synthetic and real leather for their products. The areas that are 'contact, such as seats and armrests, as well as backs, are constructed of genuine leather, while the non-contact areas like the outside and base arms are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a standard practice, and even if the sofa has a genuine leather label You should examine it carefully to see the material that the back is made from, as this will be a quick indicator that it's not genuine leather.

Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to meet up close and personal with it. Smell it, touch it and look at its back for a backing made of polyurethane that is a clear indication that it's 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 the same materials. It has a unique texture and feels soft when touched. Look for bumps under the surface, and a strong, natural scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from cheap or fake imitations.

Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched in a long, continuous piece. While this is not unusual with 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.

Pricing and labels may provide a clue, but the only way to determine is to get up close with the furniture. Real leather should not be flawless and have a rough feel. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. The softness of genuine leather is distinct from synthetic materials and the temperature of the furniture will reveal whether it's constructed using genuine materials.

Leather sofas are an essential part of interior design for good reason. They're elegant durable, long-lasting and durable. It's also easy to clean and resists liquid spills, making it a smart choice for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never be out of style. It's also available in a variety of prices.

Consider the Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last for years. The two-seater might be on the pricey side but it's constructed of top-quality leather that can last for a lifetime. It's an excellent choice for those who have small rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit into the majority of rooms.

This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice if you want something a bit more contemporary. This mid-century modern-inspired sofa features a sleek, angular design with a cylindrical pillow and an elegant frame. While the frame is constructed out of composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa features genuine leather only in the seating area which is a nice step up from Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in the year 2015.

4. Take a look at the smell

Genuine leather has a distinct smell. It's a natural, organic scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa you're trying to purchase has a strong, artificial scent it's not authentic. This is usually caused by the chemicals that were used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on furniture long after it's been manufactured.

You can determine the quality of the leather by gently moving your fingers across the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps similar to the human skin. If it feels soft and cold, it's most likely faux or the leather is bonded.

You can also open one of the cushions to examine the backing. False and bonded hides feature a polyurethane backing to support the manufactured upholstery. True leather has a back that is untreated like coarse suede. If you spot a woven backing, it's an obvious sign that the couch isn't real leather.

Peter suggests that if are trying to determine whether the sofa is genuine the best method is to put it against your body and then gently run your fingers along the surface. The roughness of the leather should cause your fingers to become dull, and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. It will also feel soft and warm to the touch.

Another way to determine whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it on its side and check the back of the couch. The faux 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 couch.

Consider how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it should last before deciding on the best. The more you use a couch, the more it will require to be cared for. Peter suggests 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.

Member since: Friday, November 29, 2024

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