Why You Should Not Think About Enhancing Your Genuine Leather Sofa
How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any room. Customers love its simple styling, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery.
However, distinguishing real leather from fake leather can be difficult to the untrained eye. Here are six helpful tips to help you recognize the difference between real and faux: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are crucial
Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It's unique in feel and look. It's also durable and easy to clean. It also doesn't absorb body oils, which makes it a great choice for those with allergies. Not all pure leather sofa sofas, however, are made equal. In fact, some sellers have been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types leather will help you avoid being scammed. This includes determining the differences between top and full grain leather, and also assessing the quality of the upholstery material. Do not hesitate to ask discerning retailers for this information.
To identify a genuine leather sofa, you must first examine the label. It should clearly indicate what kind of leather it is covered in, as well as any other material such as cotton or fabric. In addition, reputable suppliers will have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you're dissatisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label you can still confirm its authenticity by checking the fabric backing of the sofa or by opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather to determine if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indications that the leather is fake or bonded.
Another way to check the quality of a sofa is feeling its surface with your fingertips. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. Bonded or faux leather is coarser and feels more like suede. You should also be able feel the difference between bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a faux counterpart but it will last longer. It could end up becoming an important family heirloom with time. You can reduce the damage that's caused by the sun or ozone, heat, humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark room far from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioning. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and strong.
2. Take a look at the back
If the label doesn't tell you what type of leather is in a sofa, it's important to inspect it up close. The scent, the feel and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.
If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel smooth and silky. This is because animal hides come with a variety of pores that allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels smooth could be fake leather.
Check 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 quality of leather by pressing your finger into it and then running it across it. If the leather is genuine it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This means that it is able to breathe, ensuring that the material doesn't become dry and crack over time.
Faux leather is printed and has a consistent pattern, however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that add to its beauty and durability. This includes scratches, creases and scars. Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it is new. However, it won't dry out or crack when you treat it regularly using a cream for protection against leather.
Some furniture makers mix real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The 'contact areas' like the seats, arm rests and backs are made from genuine leather, while the non-contact parts, such as the base and outside arms, are covered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or leather-like synthetic fabric. Even if the couch is labeled as genuine leather, it is best to look closely at the backing to determine if it's genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can help identify a genuine leather sofa However, it is essential to inspect it up close. Feel it, smell it and check its back for a polyurethane backing which is an obvious indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Take a look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indication of its quality. While many faux leather couches use different materials for upholstery authentic leather has a distinctive texture that is smooth to the touch and is not entirely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps under the surface, and a strong natural scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from low-grade or artificial fakes.
Another indicator is if the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece. While this is not uncommon with faux Leather couch leather, if you notice this on genuine top-grain leather it's likely to be a sign that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels can give you an idea, but the only way to know for sure is to sit down with the furniture. Genuine leather will not be flawless and have a rough feel. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. Genuine leather is soft and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's made of genuine materials.
A leather sofa is an interior design mainstay because it's stylish, durable and lasts for a long time. It's also easy to clean and resists liquid spills, making it a smart choice for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never go out of style. It's also available in various price ranges.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner as a leather sofa that will last a lifetime. The two-seater might be on the pricey side however it's made with top-grain leather that will last a lifetime. It's a great choice for those with smaller spaces, too, since it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit in most rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice for those who want something more modern. The couch is a mid century modern leather couch-century modern-inspired style with a sleek, angular frame and cylindrical pillows that combine design and function. The sofa is constructed of plywood as well as composite and plastic. The leather is only used in the seating area. It's an improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa which was awarded the CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Real leather corner lounge has a distinctive smell - a natural, organic skin scent that can't be duplicated. If the sofa that you're looking to purchase has a strong, artificial scent, it is not genuine. Often this is caused by the chemicals used to make the leather, which remain in the furniture after it has been made and even once you bring it home.
A good way to test the quality of a leather sofa is to gently run your fingers over the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps like the skin of a human. 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 inspect the back. The faux and bonded leathers will have some form of polyurethane backing that supports the upholstery that is manufactured, whereas genuine leather has an untreated back that resembles 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 a sofa is genuine, the best way is to place it against your body and run your fingers along the surface. The grit of the leather will cause your fingers to become dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a little. It should also feel soft and warm to the touch.
Another way to tell if a sofa is genuine is to turn it over on its side and examine 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 quality of your leather sofa, take into consideration how much use it will get and how long you want it to last. The more you utilize your couch, the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help to maintain the leather's suppleness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.