How to Spot a Genuine Leather Sofa

With a soft, buttery leather upholstery, this sofa looks great in any room. Customers love its simple style 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 helpful tips to help you tell the difference between real and faux: 1. Edges that are rough.

1. Labels are essential

Real leather is hard to duplicate. It has a unique feel and look. It's also durable, easy to clean, and doesn't soak up excess body oils. This makes it ideal for those suffering from allergies. Not all leather sofas are created equal. In fact, some retailers have been known to pass off PVC as genuine leather.

Understanding the different types leather can help you avoid being scammed. This includes determining the differences between full grain and top grain leather, as well as evaluating the quality of the upholstery material. Don't hesitate to ask discerning retailers for this information.

To identify a genuine leather sofa you should first look at the label. It should clearly state 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 returning or exchanging items in the event you aren't happy with your purchase.

If the sofa doesn't come with an identifier, you can still work out its authenticity by looking at the fabric backing or opening up the cushion casing to look for synthetic materials. You can also check the texture of the leather to determine whether it has any flaws or bumps as these are telltale signs that you're dealing with fake or the leather is bonded.

You can also test the integrity of the sofa by touching its surface. Genuine leather will have an incredibly soft and smooth texture, while faux leather or bonded leather will be coarser and more akin to suede. You should also be able feel the difference between wrinkles, bumps, and printed patterns of faux leather and genuine leather.


A genuine leather sofa is more expensive than a faux counterpart, but it's going to last longer. leather couch and loveseat set can become an important family heirloom with time. Place your leather sofa in a bright, cool room, away from fireplaces, heaters, and air cooling units. This will reduce the damage caused by heat, humidity, and the ozone. Creams for protection on leather can be used to keep your leather sofa strong and supple.

2. Take a look at the back

If the label doesn't reveal what kind of leather a sofa is, it's essential to get close and close to it. The smell, the feel and the back are all obvious indicators.

Genuine leather will not feel smooth when you touch it. This is due to the fact that animal hides have different shaped pores which allow them to breathe. A leather product that is completely smooth may be fake leather.

Check for bumps or uneven surfaces. Genuine leather is made by rubbing away a portion of the rough outer layer. If the material covering your sofa is top grain leather, there will still be some bumps.

You can also test leather by putting your fingers into it and running it over it. If the leather is real it will stretch and wrinkle like human skin. This allows the leather to breathe and keeps it from becoming dry or cracked as time passes.

Faux leather is uniform in pattern because it's printed, whereas genuine leather has imperfections that enhance the beauty and durability of the leather. This includes creases, scratches and scuffs. A quality leather sofa will be supple and a bit stiff when new, however it should not break or dry out in time if it's conditioned regularly with a special leather protection cream.

Certain furniture manufacturers mix real leather with synthetic leather to save money. The areas that are 'contact such as seats and armrests, as well as backs, are constructed of real leather, while the non-contact areas, such as outside and base arms, are upholstered using a less expensive synthetic fabric made of polyurethane or leather. Even if the sofa is labelled as genuine leather, look closely at the backing to determine if the couch is genuine leather.

Labels and prices can help you identify a genuine leather sofa, but it is important to inspect it up close. Feel it, smell it, and then check its back for a polyurethane backing which is an obvious indication that it's not genuine leather.

3. Look at the seat

A genuine leather sofa's seating is a good indicator of quality. Genuine leather is distinct from faux leather, which is the same materials. It has a distinct texture and feels soft when touched. Look for bumps under the surface as well as a deep, natural smell. These features distinguish genuine leather from fakes or low-grade leather.

If the leather is stitched in a continuous, huge piece, that's another warning sign. This is common with faux leather, but if it's on real top-grain and you are looking for a sofa, avoid the sofa.

Pricing and labels can provide a clue however the only way to be sure is to sit down with the furniture. Genuine leather isn't perfect and should be a bit uneven to the feel. It will also have rough edges and fat wrinkles underneath the surface. Genuine leather is soft and different from synthetic materials. The temperature of the furniture could be a sign of whether it is genuine.

A leather sofa is a staple of interior design for good reason: It's stylish, durable and long-lasting. It is also easy to clean and resistant to liquid spills. This makes it a great choice for families who have children or pets. The best thing about genuine leather it's that it's a classic style that will never ever go out of fashion, and it's still available in a variety of prices.

If you're looking for a classic leather sofa that can stand the test of time, consider the Pottery Barn Turner. Although this two-seater is priced higher however, it's constructed with high-end top-grain leather and has a classic silhouette that won't date quickly. It's a great option for those with smaller rooms, too, because it's available in three sizes and is small enough to fit into most rooms.

This All Modern Geo Genuine Leather sofa is a great option if you want something more modern. This couch is a mid-century modern design with a sleek, angular frame and asymmetrical cushions that blend design and function. read more is made from plywood as well as composite and plastic. The leather is only used in the seating area. It's an improvement over Ikea's faux-leather sofa that won CHOICE’s "Shonky Award" in 2015.

4. Take a look at the smell

Genuine leather has a distinct 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. Most often, this is due to the chemicals used to process the leather, which linger in the furniture after it has been constructed and even after you bring it home.

One way to check the quality of a leather sofa is to run your fingers across the surface. Genuine leather will feel rough and include bumps and lumps, just like human skin. If it feels smooth and cold, it's most likely fake or the leather is bonded.

You can also remove one of the cushions to look at the backing. Faux and bonded leather may have a polyurethane backing to support the manufactured upholstery, while true leather has an untreated backing that is similar in appearance to coarse suede. If you see a woven fabric backing, it's an obvious sign that the sofa isn't real leather.

Peter suggests that if are trying to determine whether a sofa is genuine the best way to determine authenticity is to hold it up against your body and gently run your fingers along the surface. The grit of the leather will make your fingers a little dull, and the surface will stretch and wrinkle a little. It will also feel soft and warm to the touch.

Reversing the sofa to its back and examining the upholstery will also determine if it's genuine. False and bonded leathers will have a plastic coating on the back of the sofa while genuine leather is a single piece of leather that covers the entire back of the couch.

Think about how often you'll use your leather sofa and how long it will last before deciding on the best. The more you utilize your couch the more care it will require. Peter suggests a regular, gentle cleaning using a conditioner for leather. This will help to maintain the leather's suppleness and keep it from drying out and becoming hard.