5 Ways to Identify a Real Leather Sofa

To the untrained eye, a faux leather sofa can look almost real. It’s a shame that the luxurious quality and style of an authentic leather sofa can be replicated using sub-standard materials and sold as the real deal, but that’s the world we live in.

When manufactured correctly, faux leather sofas can be a great addition to your home if you’re looking fort he style and presence of a leather sofa without the price tag, but sometimes only the real deal will do. So here’s how to spot the genuine article:

  1. Price

Unfortunately, some retailers will price their faux leather sofas almost as high as their real ones to push real leather sales, but they’ll never be as high as a real leather sofa. And if you want fantastic quality leather, you’re going to have to pay for it.

If you think you’ve bagged an unbelievable bargain, chances are it’s too good to be true. And some retailers won’t correct you if you think you’re buying real leather when you’re not. If in doubt, ask.

  1. Always read the label

It’s pretty obvious, but it’s overlooked a lot. The label will always tell you everything you need to know about the leather sofa you have your eye on. Most retailers will happily display all the information you need to know.

Leather names, descriptions and qualities change from supplier to supplier – if you’re in doubt, look out for names like suede, aniline, nubuck, antique, rub off, saddle, softgrain and full grain as indicators of good quality leather.

Don’t always take the label as truth though, because some will be a little… dishonest. If you’re in doubt, ask about the quality of the leather sofa you’re looking at. And if you’re still in doubt after that, it might be best to move on.

3. Have a bit of a sniff

You know the smell: earthy, musky, but undeniably addictive. It’s unmistakable, and very difficult to replicate well. This smell actually draws people to buy a brand new leather sofa over a used one since it dulls with age.

If the sofa you’re looking at has a weak, or non-existent leather smell then you’re probably dealing with a poor quality or fake piece of furniture.

4. Get even more personal

After sticking your beak into its creases to get a good whiff, caress the sofa’s upholstery. Authentic leather has an unmistakable texture that is almost impossible to replicate.

Real leather is also softer and much more malleable than its synthetic imitations. Push down on the sofa and see how it sinks and bounces back – fake leather is usually much more rigid.

The grain of the leather is also important. Artificial leather is printed, and therefor the grain is replicated. If you look closely you’ll see it. Real leather is completely natural, so there won’t be any replication in the pattern. It’s a dead giveaway.

5. Speak to the experts

We’re not just manufacturers; we’ve worked with sofas for so long that we know everything there is to know about them. If you have any questions at all, whether about accessorising your sofa or otherwise, get in touch with us today. You can call 01254 268590, send us an email or fill in our contact form and we’ll be more than happy to help. 

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