How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa This sofa is a wonderful addition to any space The leather upholstery is buttery soft Customers love its simple style and the premium quality genuine leather upholstery However, distinguishing genuine leather from fake leather can be difficult to the untrained eye Here are six tips to help you differentiate between the two 1 The rough edges 1 Labels are crucial Real leather is difficult to duplicate It has a distinctive feel and look It's also durable, easy to clean and does not absorb body oils, making it a perfect choice for families with allergies Not all leather sofas are made equal Some stores have even been famous for using PVC as genuine Leather Understanding the different types of leather will help you avoid being scammed This includes determining the full grain and top-grain leather, and also evaluating the quality of the upholstery The most knowledgeable retailers are more than pleased to provide this information So don't hesitate inquire To determine if you have 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 In addition, reputable sellers must have clear policies for exchange or return in the event that you're dissatisfied with your purchase If the sofa does not have a label, you can still confirm its authenticity by checking the fabric backing of the sofa or by opening the cushion casing You can also check the texture of the leather to determine whether it's got any bumps or imperfections, since these are indicators that you're dealing in fake or bonded leather Another way to check the authenticity of a sofa is by the surface of the sofa with your fingertips Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture The faux leather, also known as bonded, is rougher and feels more like suede You should also be able to feel the difference between the bumps, wrinkles, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather While a genuine leather sofa will cost more than its imitation counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and will often end up as family heirlooms through the years You can reduce the damage that's caused by the sun as well as ozone, heat and humidity by putting your leather sofa in a cool, dark room away from fireplaces, heaters and air conditioners Leather protection creams can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft 2 Take a look at the back If the label doesn't reveal what kind of leather a sofa is, it's essential to get up close and close to it The smell, the feel and the back are all obvious indicators Genuine leather won't feel smooth when you touch it This is due to the fact that animal hides come with a variety of pores that allow it to breathe However, a product that feels completely smooth could be fake leather Another thing to look for is bumps or an uneven surface Genuine leather is prepared by buffing away a portion of the rough outer layer If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps You can also test leather by pressing your finger into it and then running it across it If it's genuine, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit similar to human skin This allows the leather to breathe, and stops it from becoming dry or cracking over time Faux leather is uniform in pattern due to the fact that it is printed, while genuine leather will have imperfections that contribute to the beauty and durability of the leather This includes creases and scratches Genuine leather will be supple and a bit stiff when it is new But, it should not crack or dry out when you treat it regularly by applying a leather protection cream To cut costs, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of synthetic and real leather to make their products The 'contact' areas like seats and armrests, as well as backs, are constructed of real leather, while the non-contact portions like the base and outside arms, are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric This is a typical practice however, even if the sofa has a genuine leather label, you should check it closely 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 pricing can help you determine if a sofa is genuine leather, but it is important to inspect it up close Smell it, touch it and check its back for a backing made of polyurethane which is an obvious indicator that it is not genuine leather 3 Look at the seat The seat of a genuine leather sofa is an additional indication of its quality Genuine leather is different from faux leather, which uses the same materials It has a unique texture and feels soft when touched Look for bumps beneath the surface and a strong natural, fresh scent These characteristics distinguish real leather from low-grade or artificial fakes If the leather is stitched in a single, large piece, this is another dead giveaway This is common with faux leather, but if it's on genuine top-grain leather and you are looking for a sofa, avoid the sofa Pricing and labels can give you an idea, but the only way to know for sure is to get up close to the furniture Genuine leather will not be perfect and feel uneven It also has large wrinkles on the surface and rough edges Genuine leather feels supple and different from synthetic materials The temperature of the furniture can be an indication of whether it's made of genuine materials Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design for good reason They're elegant durable, long-lasting and durable It is also easy to clean and resistant to spills of liquid This makes it an ideal option for families with children or pets The best part about genuine leather, however, is that it's a timeless style that won't be trendy and is available in a variety of price points If you're looking for a classic leather sofa that will stand the test of time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner While this two-seater model is priced higher but it's made of high-end top-grain leather and has a timeless design that won't fade away https//wwwsofasandcouchescom/categories/leather-sofas 's a great option for those with small spaces, too, as it's available in three sizes and is compact enough to fit in the majority of rooms If you're looking for something bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa The mid-century-modern-inspired sofa has an elegant, angular style with cylindrical pillows and a sleek frame The frame is made from plywood, composite and plastic, this sofa has genuine leather in the seating area which is a improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE's "Shonky" award in 2015 4 Take a look at the smell Genuine leather has a distinct smell that is a natural organic skin scent that is unable to be duplicated If the sofa that you're considering buying has a strong, artificial scent, it is not 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 have it at home You can check the quality of leather by gently running your fingers along the surface Real leather will feel rough and show lumps and bumps, just as human skin If it feels smooth and cold, it is most likely faux or the leather is bonded You can also open one of the cushions and examine the backing Faux and bonded hides will have a polyurethane back to help support the upholstery Genuine leather has an untreated back, similar to coarse suede If the sofa has a woven backing, it is not genuine leather Peter advises that if you are trying to determine whether the sofa is genuine the best way to determine authenticity is to hold it up against your body and gently move your fingers across the surface The scratches on the leather will make your fingernails duller and the surface will be stretched and wrinkled slightly It should also feel soft and warm to the touch Reversing the sofa to its back and examining the upholstery will also determine if it's 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, consider the amount of use it will get and how long you want it to last The more you utilize a couch, the more it will need to be taken care of Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using a special leather conditioner to keep the suppleness of the leather and prevent it from becoming hard and dry