Why You Should Forget About Making Improvements To Your Genuine Leather Sofa
How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With its soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. Customers love its simple style and premium, genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes might have trouble identifying the difference between real and fake leather. Here are six suggestions to help you differentiate between the two types: 1. Rough edges.
1. Labels are essential
Genuine leather has a distinctive appearance and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also robust and easy to clean. It also does not absorb body oils, which makes it a great choice for families with allergies. However not all leather sofas are made to be the same. In fact, some retailers have even been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather.
To ensure that you don't get scammed, it's essential to know the various types of leather. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality material of the upholstery. The most knowledgeable retailers will be more than willing to share this information So don't hesitate inquire!
To determine if you have a genuine leather sofa first glance at the label. The label should clearly state the type of leather used to cover the sofa and any other materials, such as fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable suppliers should have clear policies on returning or exchanging items in the event you're dissatisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa does not have 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 to see whether there are any bumps or blemishes. These are indicators that the leather is fake or is bonded.
You can also test the quality of the sofa by touching the surface. 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 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 but it's an investment that will last longer and can often end up as family heirlooms through the years. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioners. This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity, and Ozone. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and strong.
2. Look to the back
If the label doesn't tell you what type of leather is present in the sofa, it is crucial to look it up close. The scent, the texture and the backing will be a clear indication of authenticity.
If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it won't feel perfectly smooth. This is due to the fact that animal hides have diversely shaped pores that allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels smooth suggests that it may be fake leather.
Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of making genuine leather involves buffing, which removes some of the rough outer skin. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there should still be some bumps.
You can also test leather by pressing your finger into it and then running it across it. If it is real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little similar to human skin. This means it's capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather does not become dry and crack with time.
Faux leather is uniform in pattern because it's printed, while genuine leather will have imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes scratches, creases and marks. Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it is new. However, it shouldn't dry out or crack when you treat it regularly by applying a leather protection cream.
Some furniture manufacturers combine real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The 'contact' areas such as seats and armrests, as well as backs, are made from genuine leather, while the non-contact parts such as the outside and base arms, are upholstered with a cheaper synthetic fabric made of polyurethane or leather. This is a common practice however, even if the couch has authentic leather labels be sure to examine carefully to determine what the backing is made from, as this will be a quick indicator that it isn't true genuine leather.
Pricing and labels can point you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, you need to get up close and intimate with it. Take a whiff, rub it and look at its back for a backing of polyurethane which is an obvious indicator that it is not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
The seat of a genuine leather sofa is a further sign of its high-quality. While many faux leather couches use different fabrics for the upholstery Genuine leather has a unique texture that is smooth to the touch, but isn't completely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface, and a strong natural scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from fakes or low-grade leather.
sofas leather of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched together in a continuous, large piece. This is typical with faux leather but if it's on real top-grain and you are looking for a sofa, avoid the sofa.
The label and price may give you an idea but the only certain method to determine is to touch the furniture. Real leather is not perfect and should feel rough to the touch. It may also have large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can be a sign of whether it is made of genuine materials.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for good reason: It's stylish, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to wipe clean and resists spills of liquid which makes it a great choice for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless fashion that will never go out of fashion. It's also available in various prices.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last a lifetime. While this two-seater model is priced higher but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features an elegant design that won't age quickly. It's a great option for those with small rooms, too, because it comes in three sizes and is small enough to fit into most rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice to consider if you're looking for something modern. This mid-century-modern-inspired couch features an angular, sleek design with a cylindrical pillow and an elegant frame. The sofa is constructed of plywood, composite, and plastic. However, the leather is only used in the seating area. It is an improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa which was awarded the CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct smell. It's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa you're considering buying has a strong synthetic smell it's not authentic. It is usually due to the chemicals used to treat leather. These chemicals can remain on furniture long after it's been constructed.
You can determine the quality of leather by moving your fingers across the surface. Genuine leather will feel rough and show bumps and lumps, just as human skin. If it feels cold and smooth it's probably fake or it's bonded.
You can also remove one of the cushions to examine the backing. False and bonded leather may have a polyurethane backing to support the upholstery that is manufactured, whereas genuine leather has an untreated back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If you notice a woven backing, it's a dead giveaway that the sofa isn't real leather.
Peter advises that if you are trying to determine if a sofa is genuine the best method is to put it against your body and then gently move your fingers across the surface. The roughness of the leather will cause your fingers to become dull, and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It also feels warm to the feel.
Reversing the sofa to its back and examining the upholstery will also let you know if the sofa is genuine. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa while genuine leather will be one continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.
Consider how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it is expected to last before deciding on the best. The more you use your sofa in a given time, the more it will need to be maintained. Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning using a leather conditioner. This will help to maintain the leather's suppleness and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.