It's The Ugly Truth About Genuine Leather Sofa

How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa This sofa makes a fantastic addition to any room. Its leather upholstery is incredibly soft. Customers adore its simple styling and premium, genuine leather upholstery. Untrained eyes may have difficulty identifying the difference between real and faux leather. Here are six tips to help you differentiate between the two: 1. Edges that are rough. 1. Labels are important Real leather is hard to duplicate. It has a unique appearance and feel. It is also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it perfect for allergy sufferers. However vintage leather sofa are created to be the same. Some retailers are even known for passing off PVC as genuine leather. Understanding the different types of leather will help you avoid being scammed. This includes determining the difference between full grain and top grain leather, as well as evaluating the quality of the upholstery material. Do not hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information. To identify a genuine leather sofa, you must first examine the label. It should clearly state what kind of leather it is covered in, as well as any other materials such as fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier will also have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you are not happy with the purchase. If the sofa doesn't come with a label, you can still check its authenticity by examining the upholstery's fabric backing or opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather and see if it has any flaws or bumps as these are telltale signs that you're dealing in fake or bonded leather. Another way to test the quality of a sofa is by the surface of the sofa by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather has a soft and smooth texture, while faux or bonded leather will be rougher and more akin to suede. You should also be able 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 its faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and will often end up as family heirlooms through the years. Place your leather sofa in a light cool, cool space, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioning units. This will minimize the damage caused by heat, humidity and the ozone. In addition, you can apply leather protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and sturdy. 2. Check out the back If the label does not indicate what kind of leather is present in a sofa, it is essential to examine it close. The smell, the feel, and the back are all clear indicators. vintage leather couch won't feel smooth when you contact it. This is due to the fact that animal hides come with a variety of pores that allow them to breathe. A product that feels completely smooth may be fake leather. Another thing to look for is unevenness or bumps on the surface. The process of making genuine leather requires buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. 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 the leather is real it will stretch and wrinkle like human skin. This means it's capable of breathing, which means that the leather doesn't get dry and crack with time. Faux leather has a uniform pattern because it is printed, however genuine leather has imperfections that contribute to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases and scratches. A quality leather sofa will be soft, a little stiff when new, but it should not crack or dry out in time if it's regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream. Some furniture makers mix real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The 'contact areas' like the arm rests, seats and backs are constructed of real leather while the non-contact components, like the base and the outside arms, are upholstered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or synthetic leather. Even if a couch is advertised as genuine leather, it is best to take a close look at the backing to determine if it is genuine leather. Labels and prices can point you in the right direction, but to be sure a sofa is genuine leather it's essential to get up close and intimate with it. Check the back of the sofa for traces of polyurethane which indicates that it's not genuine leather. 3. Take a look at the seat A genuine leather sofa's seating is an excellent indicator of the quality. While the majority of faux leather couches utilize various materials for upholstery authentic leather has a distinctive texture that feels smooth to the touch. It isn't totally uniform in color or shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a rich natural, fresh scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from fakes and low-grade leather. Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched in a long, continuous piece. This is typical with faux leather, but if it's on genuine top-grain leather it is best to stay clear of the sofa. The price and the label might give you an idea however the only reliable method of knowing is to actually touch the furniture. Real leather is not perfect and should feel uneven to the touch. It also has large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can also indicate whether it is made of genuine materials. Leather sofas are an essential part of interior design for good reason. They're elegant durable, long-lasting and durable. It is also easy to clean and resistant to spills of liquid. This makes it a great option for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless style that will never go out of fashion. It's also available in different prices. Consider the Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last for years. Although this two-seater is on the pricier side, it's crafted with quality top-quality leather and features an elegant design that won't age quickly. This is a great choice for those with a limited space, since it comes in with three sizes and will fit in the majority of rooms. If soft leather sofa looking for something bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This sofa is a mid-century modern-inspired style with an angular, sleek frame and asymmetrical cushions that combine functionality and form. While the frame is constructed out of composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa is made of genuine leather in the seating area, which is a nice step up from Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's “Shonky” award in 2015. 4. Look at the smell Real leather has a distinctive scent. It's a natural, organic scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa that you're trying to purchase has a strong synthetic smell it's not real. This is often caused by the chemicals used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on the furniture even after it's been constructed. You can test the quality of the leather by running your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps similar to the skin of a human. If it feels smooth and cold, it's probably faux or bonding. You can also open one of the cushions to examine the back. The faux 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 see a woven fabric backing, this is a dead giveaway that the sofa isn't real leather. Peter says that the best way to tell whether a sofa is genuine is to gently rub your fingernails on the surface. The scratches on the leather will make your fingernails duller and the surface will be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It should also feel warm to the contact. Another way to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to turn it on its side and look at the back of the sofa. The faux leather and bonded leather will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather will be a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch. When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, consider the amount of use it will get and how long you want it to last. The more you use your sofa, the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning with a special leather conditioner to help keep the suppleness of the leather and to prevent it from becoming dry and hard.