What Is The Heck What Exactly Is Genuine Leather Sofa
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.
But recognizing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge for the untrained eye. Here are six suggestions to help you distinguish between the two: 1. Rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Real leather is hard to duplicate. It has a unique feel and look. It's also durable, easy to clean and doesn't soak up excess body oils. This makes it perfect for allergy sufferers. However not all leather sofas are made equally. In fact, some stores have been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather.
To avoid being ripped off, it's important to understand the different types of leather. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, and also evaluating the quality of the upholstery. Do not hesitate to ask discerning retailers for this information.
The first step to identifying authentic leather sofas is to check the label. The label should clearly state the type of leather used to cover the sofa as well as any other materials like fabric or cotton. Additionally, reliable sellers will have clear policies regarding returning or exchanging items in the event you're dissatisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still check its authenticity by examining the fabric backing of the sofa or by opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine whether it has any imperfections or bumps, because these are indicators that you're dealing with fake or leather that has been bonded.
Another method to determine the integrity of a sofa is by feeling its surface using your fingertips. Genuine leather has a soft and smooth texture, while faux leather or bonded leather will be rougher and more akin to suede. You should also be able 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 heirloom for the family over 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 cooling units. Leather protection creams can be used to keep your leather sofa sturdy and supple.
2. Look at the back
If the label doesn't inform you what kind of leather a sofa is, it's essential to get up close and intimate with it. The smell, the feel, and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.
Genuine leather may not feel smooth when you feel it. This is because animal hides have a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. However, a leather product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather.
Another thing to look out for is bumps or an uneven surface. 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 leather by putting your fingers into it and running it over it. If it is real the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little, just like human skin. This means it's able to breathe, ensuring that the leather does not become dry and cracked over time.
Faux leather is printed, and thus has a consistent pattern, however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This includes creases and scratches. A good genuine leather sofa will be soft leather couch and slightly stiff when new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if regularly maintained with a specific leather protection cream.
To save money, some furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of synthetic and real leather for their products. The contact areas like seats and armrests as well as backs, are constructed of real leather, whereas the non-contact portions, such as outside and base arms are upholstered with a less-expensive polyurethane- or luxury leather sofa set-like-synthetic fabric. Even if the sofa is advertised as genuine leather, you should take a close look at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa is genuine leather, it's important to get up close and intimate with it. Smell it, touch it and check its back for a polyurethane backing, which is a clear indicator that it is not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seat is also a good indicator of quality. Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which uses a combination of materials. It has a unique texture and feels soft when you touch it. Look for bumps under the surface, and a strong natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from imitations or cheap leather couches leather.
Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched together in a large, continuous piece. This is common in faux leather. However, if it is seen on genuine top-grain leather and you are looking for a sofa, avoid the sofa.
Labels and pricing can give you an idea however the only way to be sure is to be in close proximity with the furniture. Genuine leather modular sofa will not be flawless and have a rough feel. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather feels supple and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be a sign of whether it is made of genuine materials.
A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay for a reason: It's elegant, durable and long-lasting. Additionally, it's easy to wipe clean and resists liquid spills which makes it a great option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless design that will never go out of style. It's also available in a variety of prices.
For a classic leather couch that will endure the test of time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. This two-seater may be on the pricey side however it's made with top-grain leather that will last a lifetime. It's a great option for those with small rooms, too, because it comes in three sizes and is small enough to fit in most rooms.
If you're looking for something bit more contemporary, look at this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This couch is a mid-century modern-inspired style with a sleek, angular frame and asymmetrical cushions that are a perfect blend of functionality and form. The frame is made out of composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa has genuine leather in the seating area which is a nice improvement over Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Real leather has an unmistakable smell. It's a natural, organic scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa that you're trying to purchase has a strong artificial smell it's not authentic. It is usually due to the chemicals that were used to treat leather. These chemicals can remain on furniture long after it's been constructed.
You can determine the quality of the leather by running your fingers along the surface. Real leather will have bumps and lumps just like the skin of a human. If it feels smooth and cold, it's probably faux or it's bonded.
Alternately, you can take one of the cushions and look at the backing. The faux and bonded hides feature a polyurethane backing to help support the upholstery. True 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 tell whether a sofa is genuine is to gently rub your fingernails on the surface. The grit on the leather will dull your fingernails and the leather should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It also feels warm to the touch.
Another way to tell whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it on its side and check the back of the upholstery. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather chaise lounge, not a plastic coated faux or the bonded leather.
When you are deciding on the type of your leather sofa, take into consideration how much use it is likely to 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 an exclusive leather conditioner to keep the suppleness of the leather and prevent it from becoming hard and dry.