A family sits on their living room sofa together Living rooms have changed. What used to be a room designated purely for occasional entertaining or adult conversation is now often a space for the whole family to enjoy quality time in together. One of the most important pieces of furniture to make all of this possible is the sectional. With enough room for everyone, and options to sit up, lay down and lounge around, a sofa or sectional is a smart investment. The only tricky perhaps is finding one that will stand up to the wear and tear of kids, pets, and the fullness of family life! Thankfully, advances in fabric technology have made more options possible than ever before, so the choice is significantly more about aesthetics than durability. However, there are still some fabrics to stay away from if you want your new sectional to stand up to Game Day, Movie Night, and your toddler’s love for snacks. Here are our top three tips to keep in mind when shopping around for your family-friendly living room sofa.

1. Bring the Outdoors In

The first and perhaps most exciting advance in home fabric design is the evolution of outdoor/indoor fabrics. If you’re picturing paisley-covered, stiff chair cushions of the 70s, then an upholstery store is your first stop. These days, indoor/outdoor fabrics have become significantly softer and more plush, while still retaining the tough properties required for exposure to the elements. Your best bet in this category is to go with solution-dyed acrylics, which come in endless patterns, colors, and textures. They resist fading, and often look just as stylish as their indoor counterparts. And the best part? Your child’s apple juice will simply bead up on the surface, so cleaning up is as easy as the wipe of a cloth.

2. Keep it Natural

Though most natural fabrics are not your best friend when it comes to living and decorating with kids, there are some exceptions. The leading example of this is leather. Sofas upholstered with leather have a lasting quality, as they are easy to wipe up and durable enough to withstand pet scratching and kids roughhousing! When shopping for a leather couch, keep in mind that thinner leather may not have the same resistance to wear and tear, so be willing to invest in a more quality leather to make it last for the long haul. Other natural options include going with cotton or linen upholstery, which you will either want to buy pre-treated with stain repellant, or have treated for you at home after delivery. Though treated fabrics can usually be wiped up with a little help from soap and water, they are still significantly more vulnerable to staining.

3. Cozy Synthetics

After leather, engineered fabrics are the second-best choice when looking for kid-proof upholstery. And because there is such a wide variety of synthetic fabrics out there, the only ones to really avoid are those that are 100% polyester, as they can be stained by oils from skin or food. One of the most popular options available on the market right now is ultra-suede and performance velvet fabrics. This is because they have the unique capability of looking stylish while also being very durable and easy to clean. No matter which fabric you choose to go with for your new sofa or sectional,  consider involving the whole family in the decision. Including everyone in the discussion will help them feel ownership over the choice, and get them excited about using the new sofa. After all, the best sectional to have, is the one your whole family enjoys together. The Back Store sells only the finest furniture for your home. Check out our sofa selection today.