Genuine Leather Sofa 10 Things I d Love To Have Known Earlier
How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa
With a buttery-soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any space. Customers love its simple style and the premium quality genuine leather upholstery.
Untrained eyes might have trouble discerning the difference between genuine and fake leather. Here are six tips to help you recognize the difference: 1. Rough edges.
1. Take a look at the label
Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a distinctive appearance and feel. It is also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't soak up excess body oils. This makes it ideal for those suffering from allergies. Not all leather sofas are made equally. In fact, some retailers have even been known to misrepresent 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 as assessing the quality of the material used in the upholstery. Retailers with discerning eyes will be more than pleased to provide this information So don't hesitate inquire!
To determine if you've got a genuine leather sofa you should first look at the label. The label should clearly state the kind of leather used to cover the sofa along with any other materials like fabric or cotton. In addition, reputable sellers should have clear policies on return or exchange in case you aren't happy with your purchase.
If the sofa does not have a label you can still verify its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing of the sofa or opening the cushion casing. You can also look at the texture of the leather to determine if there are any bumps or imperfections. These are indications that the leather is fake or is bonded.
You can also test the sofa's integrity by rubbing the surface. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. Faux leather or bonded leather is coarser and feels more like suede. You should also be able to discern the difference between bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather sofa leather and genuine leather.
A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than its faux leather couch (Images.Google.com.na) counterpart but it will last longer. It could end up becoming an heirloom for the family over time. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from heaters, fireplaces, and air cooling units. This will help reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity, and Ozone. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and sturdy.
2. Check out the back
If the label doesn't tell you what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get up close and intimate with it. The smell, texture and the backing will be unmistakable indicators of authenticity.
Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you feel it. This is because animal hides have different shaped pores that allow them to breathe. However, a product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather.
Look for bumps or uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away some 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 leather by running your finger over it and pressing into it. If it's real the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit, just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracked over time.
Faux leather has a uniform pattern due to the fact that it is printed, whereas genuine leather will have imperfections that add to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases and scratches. A good genuine leather sofa will be supple, a little stiff when new, however it should not break or dry out over time if it is regularly cleaned with a special reupholster leather couch protection cream.
Some furniture makers mix real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The 'contact areas' such as the arm rests, seats and backs, are constructed from real leather while the non-contact parts, such as the base and the outside arms are upholstered in the less expensive polyurethane or leather-like synthetic fabric. This is a typical practice, and even if the sofa has an authentic leather label, you should check carefully to determine what the backing is made from, as this is an instant giveaway that it isn't true genuine leather.
Labels and pricing can help determine if a sofa is genuine leather However, it is essential to inspect it up close. Check the back of the sofa for traces of polyurethane, which is an indication that it's not genuine leather.
3. Take a look at the seat
A genuine leather sofa's seat is an excellent indicator of the quality. While many faux leather couches use different materials for the upholstery, genuine leather has a distinctive texture that is smooth to the touch, but isn't entirely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface, and a strong natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from imitations or cheap leather.
If the leather is stitched in a continuous, huge piece, that's another warning sign. While this is not uncommon with faux leather sofa leather, if you observe this with genuine top-grain leather it's likely 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 sit down with the furniture. Genuine leather shouldn't be perfect and not feel uneven. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. The softness of genuine leather is different from synthetic materials, and the temperature of the furniture will reveal whether or not it's made 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 wipe clean and resists liquid spills which makes it a great option for families with pets or children. Genuine leather is a timeless design that will never go out of style. It's also available in different price ranges.
Think about Pottery Barn's Turner for a leather couch that will last for years. While this two-seater model is priced higher however, it's constructed with high-end top-grain leather and has a classic silhouette that won't date quickly. It's a great option for those with smaller rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit into most rooms.
If you're looking for something bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The mid-century-modern leather couch-inspired sofa has a sleek, angular design with cylindrical pillows and an elegant frame. While the frame is crafted out of composite, plywood and plastic, this sofa features genuine leather only in the seating area which is a welcome improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in the year 2015.
4. Check out the smell
Genuine leather has a distinct scent - a natural, organic skin scent that cannot be replicated. If the sofa that you're trying to purchase has a strong synthetic smell, it is not genuine. Most often, this is due to the chemicals used to make the leather. They remain in the furniture after it has been manufactured and even after you bring it home.
One way to check the quality of leather sofas is to gently rub your fingers over the surface. Real leather will have bumps and lumps like the skin of a human. If it is smooth and cold it's probably fake or bonded.
Alternatively, you can take one of the cushions and inspect the backing. False and bonded leather will have some form of polyurethane backing to help support the fabric, whereas genuine leather has an untreated back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If you see a woven fabric backing, this is an obvious sign that the sofa isn't real leather.
Peter suggests that if you are trying to determine if the sofa is genuine the best method is to place it against your body and run your fingers along the surface. The grit of the leather will make your fingernails slightly dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit. It will also feel warm and supple to the touch.
Another method to determine whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it on its side and examine the back of the couch. The faux leather and bonded leather will have a plastic covering on the back of the sofa while genuine leather will be a single, continuous piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.
Consider how much you will use your leather sofa and how long it is expected to last before you decide on the right. The more you utilize a couch in a given time, the more it will need to be maintained. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning using a leather conditioner. This will help keep the leather's softness and stop it from drying out and becoming hard.