A full house of kids and various pets can be tough on floors and furniture. Dirty feet and paws, spills and messes can all wreck havoc on flooring and upholstery. Choosing the right products from the start can be a smart investment. Looking for materials that are stain resistant and durable can save you the cost of replacing upholstery and rugs in a few short years.
For upholstery in high traffic rooms like family rooms and kids’ rooms, think about using outdoor fabrics. These durable materials are intended to withstand weather and moisture outdoors so they can probably withstand daily life with pets and kids. The same can be said for indoor/outdoor area rugs. These rugs have come a long way from astroturf. Patterns, colors and materials all imitate the same rugs intended for indoor use, but are more durable.
If you have kids and pets, all white furniture and all white carpet are probably not the wisest choices. Durable cotton slipcovers that can be washed (and bleached if they are white) are great ideas for existing furniture. If you are buying new furniture, ask if they will make a custom slipcover for the sofa or chair. You’ll get twice the life out of your furniture if you can slipcover it to protect the upholstery.
Of course the best defense against kids and pets is quick reaction for dirt and spills. Don’t let dirt get ground into carpet or let spills set. Picking the right fabrics for kid and pet friendly furniture means you can worry less about jumping on the sofa or forts on the floor.
