25 Shocking Facts About Genuine Leather Sofa

How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa This sofa is a great option for any room. Its leather upholstery is soft and silky. Customers love its simple style, and the high-quality genuine leather upholstery. But recognizing real leather from faux leather can be difficult to the untrained eye. Here are six ways to help you distinguish between the two: 1. Rough edges. 1. Labels are essential Real leather has a distinct appearance and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it a great choice for people suffering from allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equally. In fact, some retailers have been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather. Understanding the different types leather will help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining top-grain and full grain leather, as well evaluating the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Retailers with discerning eyes are more than willing to share this information and more, so don't hesitate to ask! To determine if you've got a genuine leather sofa, you must first examine the label. The label should clearly identify the kind of leather used to cover the sofa, and any other materials such a fabric or cotton. Reputable suppliers must also have clear guidelines regarding exchange or return if you are not satisfied with the purchase. If the sofa doesn't come with an identifier but you can figure out its authenticity by examining the fabric backing or by opening a cushion casing to check for synthetic materials. You can also look at the texture of the leather to determine if it has any bumps or imperfections, because these are indicators that you're dealing in fake or the leather is bonded. Another way to test the quality of a sofa is by feeling its surface with your fingertips. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is rougher and feels more like suede. Furthermore, you will be able to discern the difference between wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather and the printed patterns on faux leather. While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart It's a wise investment as it will last longer and be a family heirloom over the years. You can limit 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 conditioning. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and sturdy. 2. Check out the back If the label doesn't identify the type of leather is present in the sofa, it is essential to examine it close. The smell, the feel, and the backing are all unmistakable indicators. When you touch the surface of genuine leather, it will not feel perfectly smooth. This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. A product that feels totally smooth may be fake leather. Another thing to look out for is unevenness or bumps on the surface. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away a portion of the rough outer layer. If the leather covering your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps. You can also test the quality of leather by pressing your finger into it and running it over it. If the leather is real it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracked as time passes. Faux leather is uniform in pattern due to the fact that it is printed, while genuine leather is prone to imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases and scratches. A good genuine leather sofa will be soft, a little stiff when it's new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream. To save money, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather to make their products. The 'contact' areas like seats and armrests, as well as backs, are made of real leather, while the non-contact parts, such as outside and base arms are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a common practice however, even if the sofa has a genuine leather label, you should check it carefully to see the material that the back is made of, since it is a clear indication that it isn't true genuine leather. Labels and prices can help you identify a genuine leather sofa, but it is important to look it over. Look at the back of the sofa for polyurethane which indicates that it's not genuine leather. 3. Look at the seat A genuine leather sofa's seat is an excellent indicator of the quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which is a combination of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels smooth when touched. Look for bumps under the surface and a rich, natural smell. These characteristics distinguish real leather from cheap or fake imitations. Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched in a continuous, large piece. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you observe this on genuine top-grain leather, it's likely a sign that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided. The price and the label might give you an idea but the only certain way to know is to feel the furniture. The genuine leather isn't perfect and should be a bit uneven to the touch. It may also have fat wrinkles under the surface and rough edges. The softness of genuine leather is different from synthetic material, and the temperature of the furniture will indicate whether it's constructed with authentic materials. Leather sofas are an essential part of interior design and for good reason. They're elegant durable, long-lasting and durable. It is also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it an ideal option for families with children or pets. The best thing about genuine leather, is that it's a classic design that will never go out of style and is still available in a variety of price points. Consider the Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last a lifetime. Although this two-seater is on the pricier side but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features an elegant design that won't age quickly. It's a great choice for those with small rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is compact enough to fit in most rooms. This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option if you want something a bit more contemporary. This sofa is a mid-century modern-inspired design with a sleek, angular frame and asymmetrical pillows that combine form and function. The frame is made out of composite, plywood and plastic, this sofa has genuine leather in the seating area, which is a nice step up from Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned the CHOICE's “Shonky” award in 2015. 4. Look at the smell Genuine leather has a distinct scent. It's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa you are trying to purchase has a strong smell of synthetic, this is an indication that it isn't genuine. Most often, this is due to the chemicals used to process the leather, which linger in the furniture after it has been made and even once you take it home. You can determine the quality of the leather by gently running your fingers over the surface. Genuine leather will have bumps and lumps just like the skin of a human. If it is smooth and cold it's probably fake or bonding. Alternately, you can open up one of the cushions and inspect the back. The faux and bonded hides include a polyurethane back that will help support the upholstery. leather sofa set has a back that is untreated, similar to coarse suede. If you spot a woven backing, this is a dead giveaway that the couch isn't real leather. Peter suggests that if you are trying to decide whether the sofa is authentic, the best way is to hold it up against your body and then gently run your fingers across the surface. The roughness of the leather will dull your fingernails, and the surface should be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It should also feel warm and supple to the touch. Turning the sofa on its back and examining the upholstery will determine if it's genuine. Genuine leather is a continuous piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or bonded leather. When you are deciding on the type of your leather sofa, think about how much use it will receive and how long you'd like it to last. The more you utilize a couch in a given time, the more it'll need to be taken care of. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning with a conditioner for leather. This will help keep the leather's suppleness intact and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.