20 Trailblazers Lead The Way In Real Leather Couch How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to misleading prices and descriptions of products, it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying an authentic leather sofa. You should get close to the couch and look at it with care. Feel, smell, and turn the cushion over to examine the back.

For instance, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the seats and armrests) in genuine leather, whereas 'non contact' areas were a mix of coated polyester and Cotton.

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather is, however is often chemically processed and artificial. If your couch has a bad smell, it may be caused by stains or pet urine. In most cases, a thorough clean will remove any smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it soft, less brittle, and more resistant to smells.

You can also use an organic odor eliminator such as baking soda to remove unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to clean the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to absorb dirt, wring it out or swap for an alternative. You can spray the solution onto your couch. Let the solution dry before wiping it again.

Airing out your leather is another way to remove smells. If you can, place the couch outside in a sunny area to air it out. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and also give the couch an aroma that is fresh and natural.

If you'd like to avoid unpleasant smells altogether, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will prevent your leather from taking in smells and will keep it smelling nice for longer.

Although the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it isn't always easy to maintain. Over time, leather may absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to eliminate, particularly if your home has children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches don't trap these odors like fabric upholstery and are a good choice for families with active families.

It's crucial to act immediately when your couch smells as if it was soaked in puppy pee. Try some of the tips above, or try using a dedicated product such as Leather Honey to treat the problem. Prevention is the best solution, though, so be sure to train your dog not to pee on the couch!

2. Feel

There are a few indicators to look out for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable method to determine whether it's genuine is to touch it and smell it. Leather with genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. The scent can fade as time passes but it should remain evident when the sofa is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa should feel soft to the touch and warm in temperature. Bonded and faux leathers on the other hand tend to have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test, gentle press your fingers on the surface of a couch and check for bumps. If you don't feel bumps, the leather is likely to be fake or bonded leather.

Another indicator is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This indicates that the leather is not one piece. Genuine leather couches are distinguished by this.

The quality of a leather frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its lifespan, but this isn't always immediately apparent. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what type of wood is used to construct the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Engineered or particle board frames are less durable. To ensure genuine leather sofa sofasandcouches.com , a frame made of hardwood should also be kiln-dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.


If you're on a tight budget it is possible to find a genuine leather sofa that you love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile option that's often offered for sale and can be customized to fit your home.

Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that has a classic design and comes in a variety of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Leather sofas are a class apart from other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and stand up to wear and tear more effectively than fabrics. They last for a long time. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather couch and it is important to be aware of what to look for before making your final decision.

If you're unsure whether your new couch is made of leather or fabric, you should first check the tag of materials that is attached to the frame. This will inform you exactly what kind of fabric it is. But, you should make use of your senses to make an informed decision if you are unable to find any information about the material composition of the sofa.

The couch's surface is worth a close examination with a keen eye on the patterns, shading and texture. A real leather couch is likely to have imperfections that are natural and may not be uniform in structure, pattern, or shading. If the couch's surface appears smooth and uniform, or has a mesh-like backing instead of rough suede, that's an obvious sign that it's fake or synthetic leather.

Another way to test this is to examine the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on its back, it is not genuine leather. The reason is because animal hides have a limit on their size, and can only be cut as big. The top-rated manufacturers stitch and stitch the entire back of the couch to ensure it is genuine leather and not bonded leather or faux leather.

If you are able to, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered with an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel solid and coarse when touched.

4. Patterns

A real leather couch is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The natural, warm feel and look of the material can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it extra durability, so that it resists cracking or sliding. And because each hide has distinct patterns, grain, and blemishes, every leather couch is unique.

While labels and prices are great pointers however, the best way to know whether you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and close to it. To better understand the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the surface texture patterns, structure, and pattern. If the structure of the leather is uniform and there aren't any visible flaws on it, then it's likely to be faux or bonding.

A back made of polyurethane on the sofa is a further indicator. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used to make the furniture.

Lastly, look at the back of the couch to see one or two stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a top-quality piece of leather that has been carefully constructed to last. On the other the other hand, if you notice no seams and the back of the sofa looks like a single piece of cloth, it's most likely to be a low-quality faux or bonded leather couch.

Once you've confirmed that a sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other furniture in your living room. For a sleek, unified style, match your sofa to other wooden furniture and accent it with pillows that echo the colors in your living space. Or go for a more fluid, acoustic layout by putting your couch against other furniture pieces and placing an occasional table.

Make sure your leather sofa is kept away from direct sunlight to avoid it fading or forming scratches. And if you want to safeguard your investment by extending its life, you should consider applying a leather protector every two or three times a year.