What Is Genuine Leather Sofa? History Of Genuine Leather Sofa
How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a soft, buttery leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any space. Customers love its simple style and premium genuine leather upholstery.
However, distinguishing genuine leather from fake leather can be a challenge to the untrained eye. Here are six useful tips to help you recognize the difference: 1. Rough edges.
1. Look at the label
Genuine leather is difficult to duplicate. It's unique in feel and look. It's also robust, easy to clean and doesn't absorb body oils, making it a perfect choice for those with allergies. However there are many different leather sofas that are made to be the same. Some retailers have even been recognized for presenting PVC as genuine Leather.
Understanding the different types leather can help you avoid being ripped off. This includes determining the differences between top and full grain leather, as well as evaluating the quality of the upholstery material. Don't hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.
The first step in identifying authentic leather sofas is to look at the label. The label should clearly indicate the kind of leather used to cover the sofa, as well as any other materials such a fabric or cotton. The most reliable suppliers must also have clear guidelines regarding return or exchange if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
If vegan leather sofa doesn't have an identifier but you can figure out the authenticity of the sofa by examining the fabric backing or opening up the cushion casing to look for synthetic materials. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine whether there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indications that the leather is fake or bonded.
Another method to determine the authenticity of a sofa is touching its surface with your fingertips. Genuine leather has a soft, smooth texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is coarser and feels more like suede. In addition, you will discern the difference between wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather and the printed patterns on faux leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than its faux counterpart, but it's going to last longer. It can become an heirloom for the family over time. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from heaters, fireplaces, and air conditioning units. This will help reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat, and ozone. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and strong.
2. Check out the back
If the label does not indicate what kind of leather is in the sofa, it is important to inspect it up close. The scent, the feel and backing will all be clear indicators of authenticity.
Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you contact it. This is because animal hides have different shaped pores that allow them to breathe. However, a leather 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 preparation of genuine leather requires buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. If the material covering your sofa is top grain leather, there should still be some bumps.
You can also test the leather by running your finger over it and pressing down into it. If the leather is real, it will stretch and wrinkle like human skin. This means that it is capable of breathing, ensuring that the leather does not become dry and crack over time.
Faux leather is printed, and thus has a uniform pattern, however genuine leather has 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 crack or dry out if you condition it regularly with a leather protection cream.
To save money, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of real and synthetic leather for their products. The contact areas, like the arm rests, seats and backs, are constructed from genuine leather, while non-contact parts, such as the base and outside arms, are covered with the less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. Even if the sofa is labelled as genuine leather, you should look closely at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can help you determine if a sofa is genuine leather, but it is important to look it over. Look at the back of the sofa for polyurethane, which is an indication that it's 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 distinct texture that is soft to the touch and is not totally uniform in color or shade. Look for bumps under the surface, and a distinct natural, fresh scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from fakes and low-grade leather.
Another indicator is if the leather is stitched in a long, continuous piece. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you observe this with real top-grain leather it's likely to be a sign that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.
Pricing and labels may provide a clue, but the only way to know for sure is to get up close with the furniture. Genuine leather isn't perfect, and it should feel rough to the feel. It will also have large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can also indicate whether it is made of genuine materials.
A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for good reason: It's elegant, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to clean and resistant to spills of liquid. This makes it a great choice for families who have pets or children. The best thing about genuine leather it's that it's a classic style that won't be trendy and is accessible at a variety of prices.
For a classic leather couch that will endure the test of time, consider the Pottery Barn Turner. Although this two-seater is more expensive but it's made of high-end top-grain leather and has a classic silhouette that won't fade away. It's a great choice for those who have small rooms, too, because it comes in three sizes and is compact enough to fit in most rooms.
If you're looking for something a little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The couch is a mid-century modern-inspired design with a sleek, angular frame and asymmetrical pillows that are a perfect blend of form and function. The frame is made out of composite, plywood and plastic, the sofa has genuine leather in the seating area, which is a welcome step up from Ikea's faux-leather couch that earned CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct smell - a natural, organic skin scent that is unable to be replicated. If the sofa that you're considering buying has a strong, artificial scent it's not authentic. This is usually caused by the chemicals used to make leather. These chemicals can linger on furniture long after it's been manufactured.
You can test the quality of the leather by running your fingers over the surface. Real leather will feel rough and include lumps and bumps, just as human skin. If it is smooth and cold, it is most likely faux or made of bonded leather.
You can also remove one of the cushions to inspect the backing. False and bonded leather may have a polyurethane backing to support the manufactured upholstery, while true leather has an untreated backing that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If the couch has a woven backing it is not 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 dull your fingernails and the surface will be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It will 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 solid piece of leather, not a plastic-coated faux or bond leather.
When you are deciding on the type of your leather sofa, think about 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 taken care of. Peter suggests regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner. This will help maintain the leather's suppleness and prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.