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Your Worst Nightmare About Genuine Leather Sofa Be Realized
How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

With a buttery-soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. 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 suggestions to help you distinguish between the two: 1. Edges that are rough.

1. Labels are important

Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a unique appearance and feel. It's also robust and easy to clean. It doesn't absorb excess body oils, making it a perfect choice for families with allergies. However, not all leather sofas are made equal. In fact, some sellers have been known to pass off PVC as genuine leather.

Understanding the different types leather will help you to avoid being ripped off. This includes determining the difference between full grain and top grain leather, as well as evaluating the quality of the upholstery material. Do not hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.

To determine if you have a genuine leather sofa you should first look at the label. The label should clearly identify the kind of leather used to cover the sofa, as well as any other materials, such as fabric or cotton. Reputable suppliers should also have clear policies regarding return or exchange if you aren't satisfied with your purchase.

If the sofa doesn't come with a label, you can still verify its authenticity by checking the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine whether there are any bumps or blemishes. These are indications that the leather is fake or is bonded.

You can also test the quality of the sofa by rubbing the surface. Genuine leather has a soft and smooth texture, whereas bonded or faux leather will be coarser and feel more like suede. Sofas And Couches should also be able to feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.

While the genuine leather sofa will cost more than a imitation counterpart but it's an investment that will last longer and often end up as family heirlooms through the years. You can limit the damage caused by the sun or ozone, heat, humidity by placing your leather sofa in a cool, dark room away from heaters, fireplaces and air conditioning. Leather protection creams can also be used to keep your leather sofa strong and soft.

2. Look at the back

If the label doesn't indicate what kind of leather is used in the sofa, it is essential to examine it close. The scent, the texture and the backing will be unmistakable indicators of authenticity.

When you touch the surface of genuine leather, it will not feel perfectly smooth. 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.

Another thing to be aware of is bumps or an uneven surface. Genuine leather is prepared by buffing away a portion of the rough outer layer. However, if the material you use to cover your sofa is top-grain leather, it's likely to have some bumps.

You can also test leather by pressing your finger into it and then running it across it. If the leather is genuine it will stretch and wrinkle just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracking over time.

Faux leather is printed and has a consistent pattern, however genuine leather may have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This includes scratches, creases and scars. A quality leather sofa will be soft, a little stiff when new, however it should not break or dry out over time if regularly cleaned with a special leather protection cream.

To save money, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of synthetic and real leather for their products. The contact areas like seats, armrests, and backs, are made of real leather, while the non-contact portions, such as outside and base arms, are upholstered using a less expensive polyurethane- or leather-like-synthetic fabric. Even if a couch is labelled as genuine leather, you should examine the back to determine if the couch is genuine leather.

Labels and pricing can help you identify a genuine leather sofa It is however important to inspect it up close. Examine the back of the sofa for any signs of polyurethane which is a sign that it's not genuine leather.

3. Look at the seat

The seat of a genuine leather sofa is another indication of its quality. While many faux leather couches use different materials for upholstery, genuine leather has a distinctive texture that is soft to the touch, but isn't completely uniform in color and shade. Look for bumps beneath the surface, and a distinct natural, fresh scent. These features distinguish genuine leather from low-grade or artificial fakes.

Another sign of a bad sofa is when the leather is stitched together in a large, continuous piece. While this is not uncommon with faux leather, if you notice this on genuine top-grain leather it's likely to indicate that the sofa is lower-quality and should be avoided.

Pricing and labels can provide a clue however the only way to be sure is to be in close proximity with the furniture. Genuine leather will not be perfect and not feel uneven. It may also have large wrinkles in the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather feels supple and different than synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be an indication of whether it's genuine.


A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for a reason: It's elegant, durable and long-lasting. It's also easy to clean and resists spills of liquid making it a good option for families with children or pets. Genuine leather is a timeless design that will never go out of fashion. It's also available in different price ranges.

For a timeless leather couch that will stand the test of time, consider the Pottery Barn Turner. The two-seater is quite expensive however it's made using top-quality leather that will last for a long time. It's a great choice for those with a limited space, since it comes in with three sizes and will fit in most rooms.

If you're looking for something a little more modern, consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. The couch is a mid-century modern-inspired design with a sleek, angular frame and asymmetrical cushions that combine form and function. The sofa is made from plywood as well as composite and plastic. The leather is only used in the seating area. It's a step up from Ikea’s faux-leather sofa, which won CHOICE's "Shonky Award" in 2015.

4. Check out the smell

Real leather has a distinctive scent - a natural, organic skin scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa you're looking to purchase has a strong, artificial scent it's not authentic. Often this is caused by the chemicals used in the process of making the leather, which linger in the furniture after it has been manufactured and even after you take it home.

One way to check the quality of leather sofas is to gently rub your fingers along the surface. Real leather will have bumps and lumps like the skin of a human. If it is smooth and cold, it's most likely faux or the leather is bonded.

You can also take one of the cushions and inspect the back. False and bonded leather will have some form of polyurethane backing that supports the manufactured upholstery, while genuine leather has an untreated back that resembles in appearance to coarse suede. If the sofa has a woven backing that is not genuine leather.

Peter suggests that if you are trying to determine if a sofa is genuine, the best way is to place it against your body and gently run your fingers along the surface. The grit on the leather will dull your fingernails, and the surface should stretch and wrinkle slightly. It will also feel warm and supple to the touch.

Another way to tell whether a sofa is authentic is to turn it over on its side and check the back of the sofa. Genuine leather is a solid piece of leather, not a plastic-coated faux or the bonded leather.

When deciding on the grade of your leather sofa, think about how much use it is likely to get and how long you'd like it to last. The more you use your couch, the more care it will require. Peter suggests regular and gentle cleaning with an exclusive conditioner for leather to maintain the suppleness and softness of the leather and keep it from becoming dry and hard.

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