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How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa With a buttery-soft leather upholstery the sofa looks stunning in any space. Customers love its simple style and top-quality, genuine leather upholstery. Untrained eyes might have trouble discerning the difference between genuine and fake leather. Here are six tips to help you distinguish between the two: 1. Rough edges. 1. Labels are essential Genuine leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a distinctive feel and look. It is also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't soak up excess body oils. This makes it a great choice for people suffering from allergies. Not all leather sofas are created equal. In fact, some stores have been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather. Understanding the different types leather will help you to avoid being scammed. This includes determining top-grain and full grain leather, as well evaluating the quality material of the upholstery. Do not be afraid to ask your favorite retailers for this information. To determine if you've got a genuine leather couch, you should first look at the label. It should clearly indicate what kind of leather it is covered in, as well as any other materials such as cotton or fabric. Additionally, reliable sellers will have clear policies regarding return or exchange in case you aren't satisfied with your purchase. If the sofa doesn't come with a label, you can still confirm its authenticity by checking 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 imperfections or bumps. These are signs that the leather is fake or has been bonded. Another method to determine the integrity of a sofa is by touching its surface by rubbing your fingers. Genuine leather has a smooth, soft texture. The faux leather, also known as bonded, is more coarse and feels like suede. Additionally you should be able to feel a difference between the wrinkles and bumps of genuine leather as well as the patterns printed on faux leather. While a genuine leather sofa may cost more than its faux counterpart, it's an investment that will last longer and will be a family heirloom over the years. Place your leather sofa in a bright cool and cool room, far from heaters, fireplaces, and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity, and the ozone. Additionally, you can use leather protection creams to keep your sofa supple and sturdy. 2. Look to the back If the label doesn't reveal what kind of leather sofa is, it's essential to get up-close and personal with it. The scent, the feel and the backing are all unmistakable indicators. If you touch the surface of genuine leather, it may not feel smooth and silky. This is because animal hides come with a variety of pores that allow them to breathe. However, a leather product that is smooth and soft suggests it could be fake leather. Another thing to look out for is bumps or an uneven surface. The process of making genuine leather includes buffing, which takes away some of the rough outer skin. But if the leather used to cover your sofa is made of top-quality leather, it's likely to be bumpy. You can also test the leather by running your finger over it and pressing down into it. If the leather is genuine it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This means it's capable of breathing, ensuring that the material doesn't become dry and cracked over time. Faux leather has a consistent pattern due to the fact that it is printed, however genuine leather is prone to imperfections that contribute to the beauty and durability of the leather. This can be seen in scratches, creases and scuffs. A good genuine leather sofa will be soft and a bit stiff when new, but it shouldn't crack or dry out over time if it is conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream. To cut costs, some furniture manufacturers make use of a mix of synthetic and real leather for their products. The 'contact' areas, such as seats and armrests, as well as backs, are constructed of real leather, while the non-contact portions like the outside and base arms are upholstered with a cheaper polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. This is a common practice and even if the couch has authentic leather labels be sure to examine carefully to determine the material that the back is made from, as it is a clear indication that it's not authentic leather. Labels and pricing can guide you in the right direction, but to truly ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather it's essential to be able to get close and intimate with it. Feel it, smell it and look at its back for a backing of polyurethane which is an obvious indicator that it is not genuine leather. 3. Look at the seat A genuine leather sofa's seating is an indicator of its quality. While many faux leather couches use different materials for upholstery, genuine leather has a distinct texture that is soft to the touch. It isn't completely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface and a rich natural, fresh scent. These characteristics differentiate real leather from fakes or low-grade leather. If the leather is stitched in a single, large piece, this is another obvious sign. Although this isn't uncommon with faux leather, if you observe this on genuine top-grain leather it's likely a sign that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided. Pricing and labels can give you a hint, but the only way to determine is to sit down to 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 under the surface. The softness of genuine leather also feels different from synthetic material, and the temperature of the furniture will tell whether or not it's made with authentic materials. A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for a reason: It's stylish, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it an ideal choice for families who have children or pets. The best part about genuine leather, is that it's a timeless style that won't ever go out of fashion and is still available in a variety of price points. For a classic leather couch that will last for a long time, think about the Pottery Barn Turner. The two-seater might be on the pricey side but it's constructed using top-quality leather that will last a lifetime. It's a great option for those with smaller spaces, too, since it comes in three sizes and is compact enough to fit in most rooms. This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great choice for those who want something a bit more modern. The couch is a mid-century modern-inspired design with an angular, sleek frame and cylindrical pillows that combine design and function. While the frame is constructed from plywood, composite and plastic, the sofa has genuine leather in the seating area which is a upgrade from Ikea's faux leather couch, which was awarded CHOICE's “Shonky” award in 2015. 4. Look at the smell Real leather has an unmistakable scent. It's an organic, natural scent that is impossible to duplicate. If the sofa you're trying to purchase has a strong synthetic smell it's not real. This is usually caused by the chemicals that were used to process leather. These chemicals can remain on furniture long after it's been made. You can determine the quality of the leather by gently moving your fingers across the surface. Genuine leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps as human skin. If it is smooth and cold, it is most likely fake or made of bonded leather. You can also remove one of the cushions to examine the backing. False and bonded leather will have a polyurethane backing to help support the fabric, whereas genuine leather has a natural back that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If you spot a woven backing, it's an indication that the sofa isn't real leather. Peter says that the best way to determine whether a sofa is real is to gently run your fingernails over the surface. The scratches on the leather will make your fingernails duller and the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly. tufted leather sofa will also feel soft and warm to the touch. Another way to tell whether a sofa is genuine is to turn it on its side and examine the back of the couch. 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 how much use it is likely to receive and how long you want it to last. The more you utilize a couch in a given time, the more it'll need to be maintained. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning using a special conditioner for leather to maintain the suppleness and softness of the leather and keep it from becoming dry and hard.