How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

Due to the misinformation on price tags and descriptions of the product, it's sometimes difficult to determine whether you're buying an authentic leather couch. You must get up close and personal - smell, feel and turn over a cushion to examine the back.

For instance, one sofa that was 'leather' CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the 'non-contact' areas were made up of cotton and polyester coated.

1. Smell

A genuine leather sofa should smell natural, fresh and luxurious. False leather, however, often smells chemically-processed and artificial. If your couch is smelling bad it could be due to pet urine. In most cases, a good cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not satisfied with the results, you can try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather, making it softer and less brittle. It will also make it more resistant to smells.

You can also use a natural odor eliminator like baking soda to get rid of unpleasant odors from your sofa. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your leather sofa. If the cloth begins to pick up dirt, squeeze it out or swap for another. You can spray the solution onto your couch. The mixture should dry before wiping it again.

Airing out your leather is another natural way to eliminate odors. If you can, place the sofa outside in a sunny spot to let it air dry. This will eliminate any unpleasant smells and also give the couch a natural, fresh scent.

If you'd like to keep away from unpleasant odors, buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher longer by stopping it from absorption of smells.

The scent of leather may be attractive, but it's difficult to keep. Over time, leather may absorb odors, such as those from cooking, smoking and even body odor. These odors are difficult to remove, especially in homes with pets or children. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.

It is crucial to act immediately if your couch smells like it was soaked with puppy pee. You can try some of the tips above, or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. The best option is to avoid the issue, so make sure you train your dog to never pee on your couch.

2. Feel

When you're looking for a brand new leather sofa There are a few things you should look out for. But the best way to determine if it's real is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. The scent can fade as you age, but there shouldn't be any doubt about it when the sofa is new.

A genuine leather couch should be warm and comfortable to the touch. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a an unpleasant plastic feel. To test this, gently press your fingers to the surface of a couch and check for bumps. If there aren't any bumps on the couch, it is likely bonded or faux-leather.

If you see vertical seams stitched across the back of the sofa, it's another dead giveaway. This means that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.

The quality of a frame for a sofa can have a major impact on its longevity but this isn't always immediately apparent. To ensure that you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what kind of wood is used for the frame. modern leather couch Sofas And Couches are the most durable, however they are also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To ensure durability, a hardwood frame must also be dried to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you are on a tight budget but still want an authentic leather sofa you will love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is one example. It is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually offered for sale and can be adapted to your home.

Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It is a classic style and is available in a wide range of fade-resistant fabrics. However, this modular sofa requires assembly at home, and the back cushions are prone to slide down.

3. Backing

Real leather couches are an exception to other kinds of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can stand up to wear and tear better than fabrics. They can last for many years. They also are resistant to staining and spills and are less likely to attract allergens and dust which means they don't require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. Leather couches aren't different. Like every other purchase, it's crucial to be aware of the dangers before making a final choice.

If you're unsure whether the sofa you bought is genuine leather the first thing you need to do is examine the materials tag on the frame to find out what kind of leather or fabric it's made of. However, you should also use your own senses to make the right choice if you don't find any information about the composition of the material used in the sofa.

The most important indicator is to take a close look at the surface of the couch and observe the texture, shading and patterns in greater detail. A genuine leather sofa has natural imperfections and may not be uniform in terms of structure, pattern, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing appears in place of the coarse leather, it's a dead giveaway of fake or synthetic leather.

Another way to test this is to check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching pattern on the back, it isn't real leather. This is because hides from animals are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. 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 lifting up a corner of the sofa or cushion and look at the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered in an woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another sign that the couch isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather is supposed to have a coarse and rough surface that feels solid when you contact it.

4. Patterns

A real leather couch is a classic, and with good reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so that it doesn't suffer from cracks or sliding. Because each hide has distinctive patterns, grain, and blemishes Every leather sofa is unique.

While labels and prices are excellent indicators but the best way to know if you're buying genuine leather is to get up close and intimate with it. Check the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get a more detailed view of its authenticity. If the structure is uniform and there aren't noticeable blemishes, it's likely fake or bonded leather.

Another obvious sign is a backing made of polyurethane on the back of the sofa. This is a typical feature of leather that is bonded. Genuine leather will look more natural and will be backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.


Take a look at the back of your sofa to see if there are any vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. On the other side, if there are no seams and the back of the sofa appears like a continuous piece of fabric, it's likely to be a low-quality faux or leather couch that has been bonded.

Once you've established that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to pair it with your other furniture in your living room. Find a match for your sofa with wooden furniture and add pillows that match the colors of your space. You can also opt for a more comfortable, lively layout by putting your couch in a row with other furniture pieces, and a coffee table in between.

Be sure to keep your leather sofa in a bright area to ensure it doesn't deteriorate or show scuff marks from direct sunlight. If you're looking to prolong the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment, apply a leather protector agent once or twice per year.