The 3 Biggest Disasters In Genuine Leather Sofa History How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

With its soft leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any space. Customers adore its simple styling and high-quality genuine leather upholstery.

Untrained eyes may have difficulty in discerning the difference between real and fake leather. Here are six useful tips to help you tell the difference: 1. Rough edges.

1. Labels are crucial

Real leather is difficult to duplicate. It has a unique appearance and feel. It's also durable, easy-to-clean, and doesn't absorb excessive body oils. This makes it ideal for allergy sufferers. However, not all leather sofas are created to be the same. In fact, some retailers have been known to disguise PVC as genuine leather.

To avoid being scammed, it's essential to be aware of the various kinds of leather. This includes determining the differences between top and full grain leather, as well as assessing the quality of the upholstery material. Don't hesitate to ask your favorite retailers for this information.

To determine if you've got a genuine leather couch, first glance at the label. It should clearly indicate what kind of leather it is covered in, as well as any other materials such as fabric or cotton. A reputable supplier should also have clear policies regarding exchange or return if you are not happy with the purchase.

If the sofa does not have a label, you can still verify its authenticity by looking at the upholstery's fabric backing or by opening the cushion casing. You can also examine the texture of the leather to determine if there are any imperfections or bumps. These are indicators that the leather is fake or has been bonded.

You can also test the integrity of the sofa by rubbing the surface. Genuine leather has an incredibly soft and smooth texture, whereas faux leather or bonded leather will be coarser and feel more like suede. You should also be able discern the difference between wrinkles, bumps and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.

A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than its faux counterpart, but it's going to last longer. It could become a family heirloom over time. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from heaters, fireplaces, and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by humidity, heat and ozone. Additionally, you can 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 tell you what kind of leather a sofa is, you need to get close and close to it. The scent, the feel and backing will all be clear indicators of authenticity.

Genuine leather may not feel smooth when you touch it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have a variety of pores that allow it to breathe. However, a leather product that feels smooth could be fake leather.

Another thing to be aware of is bumps or an uneven surface. real leather sofa is made by rubbing away a portion of the rough outer layer. If the material that covers your sofa is top grain leather, there'll still be some bumps.

You can also test the leather by pressing your finger into it and running it over it. If it is real, the leather will stretch and wrinkle a little, just like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and prevents it from becoming dry or cracked in time.

Faux leather is printed and has a uniform pattern while genuine leather will have natural imperfections that enhance its beauty and durability. This can be seen in scratches, creases and scuffs. Genuine leather is soft and a bit stiff when it's new. However, it won't dry out or crack if you condition it regularly using a cream for protection against leather.

To save money, some furniture manufacturers use a combination of real and synthetic leather to make their products. The contact areas like seats, armrests, and backs, are made from genuine leather, while the non-contact portions like the outside and base arms are upholstered with a cheaper 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 prices can point you in the right direction, but to ensure that a sofa you purchase is genuine leather, it's important to be able to get close and personal with it. Check the back of the sofa for polyurethane which is a sign that it's not genuine leather.

3. Check out the seat

A genuine leather sofa's seat is also an excellent indicator of the quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which uses a combination of materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when touched. Be aware of bumps on the surface and a strong natural scent. These are the characteristics that distinguish genuine leather from low-grade or artificial imitations.

Another indicator is if the leather is stitched in a long, continuous piece. While this is not unusual with faux leather, if you see this with genuine top-grain leather, it's most likely to be a sign that the sofa is not of good quality and should be avoided.

The price and the label might provide an idea but the only certain method of knowing is to touch the furniture. Genuine leather isn't perfect, and it will feel rough to the feel. It will also have fat wrinkles under the surface and rough edges. Genuine leather is soft and distinct from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be an indication of whether it's made of genuine materials.


Leather sofas are a mainstay of interior design for good reason. They're stylish durable, long-lasting, and durable. Additionally, it's easy to wipe clean and resists liquid spills, making it a smart option for families with pets or children. The best thing about genuine leather, however, is that it's a timeless style that won't go out of style, and it's still available at a range of prices.

For a timeless leather couch that will last for a long time, look into the Pottery Barn Turner. While this two-seater model is on the pricier side however, it's constructed with high-end top-grain leather and has a timeless design that won't date quickly. It's a great choice for those with limited space as it comes in with three sizes and fits in the majority of rooms.

If you're looking for something a bit more modern, you should consider this All Modern Geo Genuine Leather Sofa. This mid-century modern-inspired sofa features an elegant, angular style with cylindrical pillows and a sleek frame. This sofa is made of plywood as well as composite and plastic. However, the leather is only used for the seating area. It's an upgrade from Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE’s "Shonky Award" in 2015.

4. Look at the smell

Real leather has a distinctive smell. It's a natural, organic scent that can't be replicated. If the sofa that you're looking to purchase has a strong artificial smell it's not authentic. It is usually due to the chemicals that were used to process leather. These chemicals can linger on the furniture even after it's been made.

A good way to test the quality of leather sofas is to gently rub your fingers over the surface. Real leather will have bumps and lumps just like the human skin. If it feels smooth and cold it's probably fake or bonded.

You can also take one of the cushions and inspect the back. The faux and bonded leathers will have a polyurethane backing to help support the upholstery that is manufactured, whereas genuine leather has a natural back that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If you see a woven fabric backing, this is an indication that the sofa isn't real leather.

Peter says that the best way to tell if a sofa is real is to lightly run your fingernails across the surface. The roughness of the leather will make your fingers a little dull and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a little. It also feels warm to the contact.

Reversing the sofa to its back and checking the upholstery will tell you if it is genuine. 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, consider how much use it is likely to get and how long you want it to last. The more you use your couch the more attention it will require. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning using a conditioner for leather. This will help keep the leather's suppleness intact and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.