10 Quick Tips On Genuine Leather Sofa
How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
This sofa makes a fantastic addition to any room. The leather upholstery is incredibly soft. Customers love its simple styling and the premium quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes may be unable to discerning the difference between genuine and faux leather. Here are leather sofa and loveseat set to help you differentiate between the two: 1. The rough edges.
1. Take a look at the label
Genuine leather has a distinctive style and feel that's difficult to replicate. It's also robust, easy to clean and doesn't absorb body oils, which makes it a great choice for families with allergies. However there are many different leather sofas that are created to be the same. In fact, some sellers have been known to misrepresent PVC as genuine leather.
Understanding the different types leather will help you to avoid being ripped off. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery. Do not hesitate to ask discerning retailers for this information.
The first step in identifying a genuine leather sofa is to examine the label. It should clearly state what kind of leather the sofa is upholstered with, along with any other materials like cotton or fabric. Reputable suppliers should also have clear policies regarding exchange or return if you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
If the sofa doesn't have a label you can still check its authenticity by examining the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also check the texture of the leather to determine if it has any imperfections or bumps, because these are indicators that you're dealing with fake or leather that has been bonded.
You can also test the quality of the sofa by touching its surface. Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is more coarse and feels like suede. Furthermore you should be able to discern the difference between wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather as well as the patterns printed on faux leather.
While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than a faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and be a family heirloom over the years. You can minimize the damage caused by sun or ozone, heat, humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark area far from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioning. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and sturdy.
2. Look to the back
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather a sofa is, it's important to get up-close and intimate with it. The smell, the feel and the backing are all unmistakable indicators.
When you get a feel of genuine leather, it may not feel perfectly smooth. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different shaped pores that allow them to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth may be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. The process of making genuine leather involves buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there'll still be some bumps.
You can also test the leather by putting your fingers into it and running it over it. If it's real the leather will stretch and wrinkle slightly, just like human skin. This means that it is capable of breathing, ensuring that the material doesn't become dry and crack with 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 and creases. Genuine leather is soft and a little stiff when it's brand new. But, it should not dry out or crack if you condition it regularly by applying a leather protection cream.
To save money, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather for their products. The contact areas like seats and armrests, as well as backs, are made of genuine leather, while the non-contact portions like the outside and base arms are upholstered with a less-expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. Even if the couch is advertised as genuine leather, take a close look at the backing to determine if it's genuine leather.
Labels and prices can help you identify a genuine leather sofa It is however important to inspect it up close. Feel it, smell it and check its back for a backing of polyurethane that is a clear indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Look at the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seat is a good indicator of quality. While most faux leather couches make use of various materials for upholstery, genuine leather has a unique texture that is soft to the touch, but isn't completely uniform in color and shade. Be aware of bumps under the surface, and a distinct natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from low-grade or artificial imitations.
Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched together in a continuous, large piece. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you observe this with real top-grain leather, it's likely a sign that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.
The price and label may give you an idea, but the only sure method to determine is to feel the furniture. Real leather should not be perfect and feel uneven. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. The suppleness of genuine leather also feels different from synthetic material, and the temperature of the furniture will indicate whether or not it's built with authentic materials.
Leather sofas are a staple of interior design and for good reason. They're elegant durable, long-lasting, and durable. It's also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a great option for families with pets or children. The best part about genuine leather, however, is that it's a classic style that will never go out of style and is available in a variety of prices.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner leather sofa that will last a lifetime. The two-seater might be quite expensive but it's constructed of top-quality leather that can last a lifetime. This is a great choice for those with limited space, as it comes with three sizes and fits in most rooms.
This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option if you want something a bit more contemporary. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an angular, sleek design with cylindrical pillows and an elegant frame. While the frame is constructed from plywood, composite and plastic, the sofa is made of genuine leather in the seating area which is a welcome upgrade from Ikea's faux leather sofa that won the CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015.
4. Take a look at the smell
Genuine leather has a distinctive smell that is a natural organic skin scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa you're considering buying has a strong, artificial scent it's not authentic. This is usually caused by the chemicals used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on furniture long after it's been manufactured.
A good way to test the quality of leather sofas is to run your fingers over the surface. Genuine leather will feel rough and include lumps and bumps, just as human skin. If it feels cold and smooth it's probably fake or it's bonded.
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 an untreated back and is similar to coarse suede. If you notice a woven backing, it's an obvious sign that the couch isn't real leather.
Peter advises that if you are trying to determine if the sofa is authentic, the best way is to place it against your body and run your fingers along the surface. The grit on the leather will make your fingernails duller and the surface will be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It will also feel warm to the contact.
Another way to determine whether a sofa is genuine is to turn it on its side and check the back of the sofa. Faux and bonded leather will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa while genuine leather will be a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the sofa.
When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, think about the amount of use it will receive and how long you want it to last. The more you use your couch in a given time, the more it will require to be maintained. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning with a specific conditioner for leather to maintain the suppleness and softness of the leather and keep it from becoming dry and hard.