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How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa This sofa is a great addition to any space. The leather upholstery is incredibly soft. Customers love its simple styling and its high-end genuine leather upholstery. However, distinguishing real leather from fake leather can be a challenge for the untrained eye. Here are six helpful tips to help you tell the difference: 1. The rough edges. 1. Take a look at the label Genuine leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a unique feel and look. It's also durable, easy to clean and doesn't absorb excess body oils. This makes it ideal for allergy sufferers. However, not all leather sofas are created equally. Some retailers are even recognized for presenting PVC as genuine Leather. To ensure that you don't get ripped off, it's important to know the various types of leather. This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well as assessing the quality material of the upholstery. Discerning retailers are more than happy to provide you with this information and more, so don't hesitate to ask! The first step in identifying authentic leather sofas is to examine the label. The label should clearly identify 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 the sofa does not come with a label, you can still confirm its authenticity by examining the upholstery's fabric backing or opening the cushion casing. leather sofas for sale can also look at the texture of the leather to determine whether there are any bumps or blemishes. These are signs that the leather is fake or is bonded. Another way to check the authenticity of a sofa is touching its surface with your fingertips. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is coarser and feels more like suede. You should also be able feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather. While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and often end up as family heirlooms through the years. You can reduce the damage that's caused by the sun or ozone, heat, humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark room far from fireplaces, heaters and air cooling units. You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa soft and strong. 2. Look at the back If the label doesn't tell you what type of leather is in the sofa, it is essential to examine it close. The smell, feel and backing will all be clear indicators of authenticity. When you touch the surface of genuine leather, it will not feel smooth and silky. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different shaped pores which allow them to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth may be fake leather. Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. 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 should still be some bumps. You can also test leather by putting your fingers into it and then running it across it. If the leather is genuine, it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This means it's able to breathe, 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 has imperfections that contribute to the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases, scratches and marks. A good genuine leather sofa will be soft and a bit stiff when new, however it should not break or dry out over time if it is regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream. To cut costs, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of real and synthetic leather for their products. The 'contact areas' like the seats, arm rests and backs are constructed of genuine leather, while the non-contact areas, like the base and the outside arms, are upholstered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or a synthetic leather. Even if the couch is advertised as genuine leather, examine the back to determine if it is genuine leather. Pricing and labels can point you in the right direction, but to be sure a sofa is genuine leather, you need to get up close and intimate with it. Look at the back of the sofa for polyurethane, which is an indication that it's not genuine leather. 3. Take a look at the seat The seat of a genuine leather sofa is an additional indication of its quality. While many faux leather couches use various materials for the upholstery Genuine leather has a unique texture that is smooth to the touch, but isn't completely uniform in color and shade. Be aware of bumps under the surface, and a distinct natural, fresh scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from imitations or cheap leather. If the leather is stitched in a single, large piece, it's a warning sign. This is common with faux leather, but when it's seen on genuine top-grain leather, you should avoid the sofa. The price and the label might provide an idea however the only reliable method of knowing is to actually touch the furniture. The genuine leather isn't perfect and should be a bit uneven to the touch. It also has rough edges and fat wrinkles beneath the surface. Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture can also indicate whether it is made of genuine materials. A leather sofa is a mainstay in interior design because it's stylish, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to clean and resists liquid spills, making it a smart choice for families with children or pets. The best part about genuine leather, is that it's a classic style that will never ever go out of fashion and is still available in a variety of price points. Think about Pottery Barn's Turner as a leather sofa that will last for years. Although this two-seater is more expensive but it's made of high-end top-quality leather and features a timeless design that won't age quickly. It's a great option for those with small rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit into the majority of rooms. This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice to consider if you're looking for something a bit more contemporary. The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an elegant, angular style with a cylindrical pillow and an elegant frame. The sofa is constructed of plywood as well as composite and plastic. 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. Take a look at the smell Real leather has an unmistakable smell. It's a natural, organic scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa you're trying to purchase has a strong, artificial scent it's not real. It is usually due to the chemicals that were used to treat leather. These chemicals can remain on the furniture even after it's been made. You can test the quality of leather by gently running your fingers along the surface. Genuine leather will have lumps and bumps similar to the skin of a human. If it feels soft and cold, it's most likely fake or the leather is bonded. You can also remove one of the cushions to inspect the backing. Faux and bonded hides will include a polyurethane back that will support the manufactured upholstery. True leather has a back that is untreated and is similar to coarse suede. If you spot a woven backing, it's a dead giveaway that the couch isn't genuine leather. Peter suggests that if you are trying to decide whether a sofa is genuine the best way to determine authenticity is to hold it up against your body and then gently run your fingers along the surface. The scratches on the leather will make your fingernails duller and the surface will be stretched and wrinkled slightly. It will also feel soft and warm to the touch. The sofa's back and inspecting the upholstery will let you know if the sofa is genuine. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic coated faux or bond leather. When deciding on the quality of your leather sofa, think about the amount of use it will get and how long you want it to last. The more you use a sofa in a given time, the more it will need to be cared for. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using an exclusive leather conditioner to maintain the suppleness and softness of the leather and keep it from becoming hard and dry.