How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa This sofa makes a fantastic option for any room The leather upholstery is incredibly soft Customers love its simple style and top-quality genuine leather upholstery However, distinguishing genuine leather from fake leather can be a challenge to the untrained eye Here are six tips to help you distinguish between the two 1 The rough edges 1 Look at the label Real leather has a distinct appearance and feel that's difficult to duplicate It's also durable and easy to clean It also doesn't absorb excess body oils, making it ideal for those with allergies However there are many different leather sofas that are made equally Some retailers are even famous for using PVC as genuine Leather Understanding the different types leather will help you avoid being ripped off This includes determining full grain and top-grain leather, as well evaluating the quality material of the upholstery Discerning retailers are more than pleased to provide this information, so don't hesitate to inquire The first step to identifying authentic leather sofas is to examine the label It should clearly identify the type of leather the sofa is covered in, as well as any other materials such as cotton or fabric In https//wwwsofasandcouchescom/categories/leather-sofas , reputable suppliers must have clear policies for returning or exchanging items in the event you're dissatisfied with your purchase If the sofa doesn't come with a label, you can still work out the authenticity of the sofa by examining the fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing to check for synthetic materials You can also check the texture of the leather to determine if there are any bumps or blemishes These are indicators that the leather is fake or bonded Another way to check the quality of a sofa is by the surface of the sofa by rubbing your fingers Genuine leather is soft and smooth in texture Bonded or faux leather is more coarse and feels like suede You should also be able to feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a imitation counterpart, but it will last longer It could become an important family heirloom with time Place your leather sofa in a bright cool, cool space, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air cooling units This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity, and the ozone You can also use leather protection creams to keep your sofa in good shape and sturdy 2 Take a look at the back If the label doesn't inform you what kind of leather sofa is, you need to get up-close and personal with it The smell, the feel, and the backing are all unmistakable indicators Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you feel it This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of pores that allow them to breathe However, a product that is smooth and soft suggests it could be fake leather Be aware of bumps and uneven surfaces The process of preparing genuine leather requires buffing, which eliminates some of the rough outer skin But if the leather used to cover your sofa is top-grain leather it should still have some bumps You can also test the leather by putting your fingers into it and then running it across it If it's genuine the leather will stretch and wrinkle a bit as human skin does This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracking as time passes Faux leather is printed, and thus has a consistent pattern, while genuine leather will have 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 However, it shouldn't dry out or crack when you treat it regularly with a leather protection cream To save money, some furniture makers make use of a mixture of synthetic and real leather to create their furniture The contact areas, such as the arm rests, seats and backs, are constructed from real leather while the non-contact areas, like the base and outside arms, are upholstered with polyurethane, which is less expensive or leather-like synthetic fabric This is a common practice however, even if the sofa has a genuine leather label, you should check it closely to see what the backing is made of, as it is a clear indication that it's not genuine leather Labels and pricing can help you determine if a sofa is genuine leather However, it is essential to inspect it up close Smell it, touch it and look at its back for a polyurethane backing, which is a clear indication that it's not genuine leather 3 Take a look at the seat A genuine leather sofa's seat is also a good indicator of quality Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which uses the same materials It has a distinct texture and feels soft when you touch it Look for bumps under the surface, and a strong natural, fresh scent These characteristics differentiate real leather from fakes or low-grade leather Another dead giveaway is if the leather is stitched together in a long, continuous piece Although this isn't uncommon with faux leather, if you notice this with real top-grain leather, it's most likely to be a sign that the sofa isn't of high-quality and should be avoided Pricing and labels can provide a clue however the only way to know for sure is to be in close proximity to the furniture Real leather should not be flawless and have a rough feel It will also have large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges The suppleness of genuine leather is distinct from synthetic materials and the temperature of the furniture will tell whether it's constructed with authentic materials Leather sofas are an essential part of interior design and for good reason They're stylish, durable, and long-lasting It's also easy to clean and resistant to spills of liquid This makes it a perfect option for families with children or pets Genuine leather is a timeless style that will never be out of style It's also available in a variety of prices For a classic leather couch that will endure the test of time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner The two-seater might be on the pricey side however it's made using top-quality leather that will last for a long time It's an excellent choice for those with small spaces, too, as it comes in three sizes and is compact enough to fit into most rooms This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice for those who want something more contemporary The couch is a mid-century modern design with an angular, sleek frame and asymmetrical pillows that are a perfect blend of design and function The sofa is constructed of plywood, composite, and plastic The leather is only used in the seating area It's 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 Genuine leather has a distinct smell - a natural, organic skin scent that cannot be replicated If the sofa that you're considering buying has a strong artificial smell, it is not genuine It is usually due to the chemicals used to make leather These chemicals can linger on the furniture even after it's been constructed You can determine the quality of leather by gently running your fingers over the surface Real leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps, just like human skin If it is smooth and cold, it is most likely faux or the leather is bonded Alternatively, you can open one of the cushions and inspect the backing The faux and bonded hides feature a polyurethane backing to help support the upholstery Genuine leather has an untreated back like coarse suede If the sofa has a woven backing, it is not genuine leather Peter says that the best way to tell whether a sofa is genuine is to gently run your fingernails over the surface The roughness of the leather will cause your fingers to become dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a bit It will also feel soft and warm to the touch The sofa's back and checking 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 Consider how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it should last before deciding on the best The more you use your couch, the more care it will require Peter recommends regular, gentle cleaning with a leather conditioner This will help to keep the leather's suppleness intact and stop it from drying out and becoming hard