5 Laws Everyone Working In Genuine Leather Sofa Should Know
How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With its soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. Customers adore its simple styling and high-quality, genuine leather upholstery.
But recognizing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge to the untrained eye. Here are six tips to help you recognize the difference: 1. The rough edges.
1. Labels are crucial
Real leather has a distinct look and feel that's hard to duplicate. It's also durable, easy to clean and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it ideal for allergy sufferers. Not all leather sofas are made equally. Some stores have even been recognized for presenting PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types of leather will help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining the differences between top and full grain leather, and also assessing the quality of the upholstery material. The most knowledgeable retailers are more than willing to share this information, so don't hesitate to ask!
To identify a genuine leather sofa, you should first look at the label. It should clearly state what kind of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other material such as cotton or fabric. Reputable suppliers will also have clear policies regarding exchange or return in the event that you are not satisfied with the purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label, you can still check 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 and determine whether it has any bumps or imperfections, since these are indicators that you're dealing with fake or the leather is bonded.
Another method to determine the authenticity of a sofa is by touching its surface by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather will have a smooth and soft texture, while faux or bonded leather will be coarser and feel more like suede. You should also be in a position to discern the difference between wrinkles, bumps, 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 become an important family heirloom with time. You can minimize the damage that's caused by sun, ozone, heat and humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark area away from fireplaces, heaters and air cooling units. In addition, you can apply leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and sturdy.
2. Look to the back
If the label doesn't inform you what kind of leather sofa is, it's important to get close and close to it. The scent, the texture and the backing will be clear indicators of authenticity.
Genuine leather won't feel smooth when you contact it. This is because animal hides have different shaped pores that allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels smooth suggests that it may be fake leather.
Another thing to be aware of is unevenness or bumps on the surface. The process of preparing genuine leather includes buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. 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 finger over it and pressing into it. If it's real the leather will stretch and wrinkle slightly, just like human skin. This means that it's able to breathe, ensuring that the material doesn't become dry and crack over time.
Faux leather is printed and has a uniform pattern, however genuine leather has natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes creases and scratches. A good genuine leather sofa is soft, a little stiff when new, however it should not break or dry out in time if it's regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream.
To save money, certain furniture manufacturers use a combination of synthetic and real leather to make their products. The contact areas such as seats, armrests, and backs, are constructed of genuine leather, while the non-contact portions like the outside and base arms are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. Even if the sofa is advertised as genuine leather, look closely at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and prices can help you determine if a sofa is genuine leather, but it is important to inspect it up close. Smell it, touch it and check its back for a backing made of polyurethane which is an obvious indicator that it is not genuine leather.
3. Check out the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indication of its quality. While most faux leather couches make use of various materials for the upholstery, genuine leather has a distinct texture that feels smooth to the touch, but isn't totally uniform in color or shade. Look for bumps under the surface and a strong natural, fresh scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from fakes or low-grade leather.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece, this is another dead giveaway. This is typical with faux leather. However, if it's on genuine top-grain leather it is best to stay clear of the sofa.
The price and label may give you an idea but the only certain way to know is to feel the furniture. The genuine leather isn't perfect, and it will feel rough to the touch. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles under the surface. Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's genuine.
Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design for good reason. They're elegant, durable, and long-lasting. It's also easy to wipe clean and resists liquid spills, making it a smart 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 various prices.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner as a leather sofa that will last for a lifetime. The two-seater might be expensive however it's made with top-grain leather that will last for a lifetime. It's an excellent choice for those with small rooms, too, because it comes in three sizes and is small enough to fit into most rooms.
If you're looking for something little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This couch is a mid-century modern-inspired style with an elegant, angular frame and asymmetrical pillows that blend functionality and form. 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 2015.
4. Look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinctive smell - a natural, organic skin scent that is unable to be duplicated. If sofasandcouches are trying to purchase has a strong synthetic smell, this is an indication that it's not authentic. It is usually due to the chemicals used to process leather. These chemicals can remain on the furniture even after it's been made.
You can determine the quality of leather by gently running your fingers along the surface. Real leather will have bumps and lumps just like the human skin. If it feels cold and smooth, it's probably faux or it's bonded.
You can also take one of the cushions and look at the back. Faux and bonded leather may have a polyurethane backing to support the fabric, whereas true leather has an untreated backing that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If the couch is backed by a woven fabric, it is not genuine leather.
Peter suggests that if are trying to determine whether the sofa is authentic the best method is to put it against your body and gently run your fingers along the surface. The scratches on the leather will make your fingernails duller, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It should also feel warm to the feel.
Another method to determine whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it on its side and check the back of the upholstery. Faux and bonded leather will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa, while genuine leather is one continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.
When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, consider how much use it is likely to receive and how long you want it to last. The more you use your couch and the more you use it, the more it'll need to be cared for. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using a specific leather conditioner to keep the suppleness of the leather and prevent it from becoming dry and hard.