Top-grain leather, comprised of the hide that's just below the animal's hair, contains the strongest, most durable part of the cow hide. All of Bassett's custom leathers are top-grain, as we pride ourselves on making your furniture with only the finest materials.

High quality: Bassett Furniture is known for creating furniture pieces that are made from premium materials, ensuring durability and longevity. Their coffee tables are no exception, making them a worthwhile investment.

Bassett is one of the few American manufacturers who have maintained a domestic production presence with factories in Virginia and North Carolina. Our BenchMade wood lines are made right here in Bassett, VA and all of our upholstery is made in our Newton, N.C. factory, from both domestic and imported components.

To tell if furniture is Bassett, look for a stamp that says Bassett Industries in an inconspicuous area like the back or bottom. Generally authentic pieces will feature solid oak wood but some pieces may have other materials.

What is the difference between genuine and real leather? Real leather is 100% authentic leather made from animal hides, such as full grain leather or top grain leather. Genuine leather is a lower grade, which often includes only a small percentage of authentic leather.

There are a few different types of leather that are used for sofas and chairs. Pigmented leather is the most durable with a consistent surface appearance, while aniline leather is more natural looking, but less resistant to soiling. The third type, semi-aniline leather, is somewhere between on both counts.

A cheap sofa will quickly sag and lose its shape. Durable sofas from Bassett, however, retain their quality for years, saving you money (and more couch shopping) during the years ahead. A couch should last between 7 and 15 years, so shopping for one can feel daunting.

Certainly, IKEA is not the only brand that sells affordable but lesser-quality furniture. Largely made from particleboard, IKEA furniture most often does not stand up to years of use. Disassembling and transporting the furniture during a move can also shorten its lifespan.

In addition to the solid frame design, Bassett also builds their furniture with harder solid woods to guarantee that your furniture is reliable and will last for years to come. Bassett had been around since 1902, and the methods and practices they have developed put this brand solidly into the “Best” category.

Search for any labels, stamps or manufacturing tags underneath or on the back of furniture, or in the drawers. These marks will be able to tell you who made the furniture, where it was manufactured and often the year that it was made. If there is a label, look for signs of ageing as they can be faked.

Things You Should Know

1. Look for dents and scratches on the furniture. If there are a lot, it's likely made of softwood.
2. Feel the furniture and examine the wood grain pattern. If it feels rough and looks porous, it's probably made of hardwood.
3. Examine the ends of the wood.

Full-grain leather Full-grain leather is considered the highest quality, and is left in the most natural state: It is not split at all, and consists of the entire top layer of the leather. It is durable, and maintains many of the natural characteristics and inconsistencies of the leather.

genuine leather If it's real leather, it will proudly say so. If you see “100% leather,” “full-grain leather,” “top grain leather,” or “genuine leather,” you're headed in the right direction. (Learn more about the different types of leather).