There was a thread on this very issue in the decorating forum. I have a microfiber sectional, and although I only have 2 cats (one is long-haired), I've found it to be great for them. The fabric doesn't have any loops, so any fur that does get on it pulls up easily w/a roller or a vacuum. This seems to be the ONLY fabric that my cats aren't interested in chewing or scratching, so that seems to be a bonus, too.

Everyone on the other thread had the same response, but I don't know about 7 pets. That's the wild card! :)

Microfiber will collect pet hair but it doesn't get tangled if you don't mind a using a lint roller a lot.
Leather is much easier to maintain hairwise, but keep in mind, your pets' hair and skin is oily and will destroy the leather dye if not cleaned out with leather soap regularly (once a month) Same applies for people. And pets scratch. If you like the microfiber, I recommend Max Home. New brand made in the US (one of the very few) and excellent quality. Frames, cushions and springs are top notch.

I have a leather couch, and I love it. Actually our husky thinks it is her bed. I have seen the microfiber suede couches, and I don't care for the way you touch it and an imprint of your touch shows. Just my 2 cents worth.
I was worried in the beginning about scratch marks, but our leather has been great. Would definatly buy leather again.

My daughter had a leather couch and the dog ruined 1 cushion. It cost over $200 to replace. I have a red microfiber sofa along with 10 cats and a white pit who thinks she's a princess. No problem with hair...what little bit that might stick, I can brush off with my hand. The 5 kids that are still at home...now that's another story....

I have had a leather sofa for a few years now and I can't imagine ever going without again. Having said that, I just purchased 2 microsuede recliners because I was afraid of having too much leather in the living room.

The recliners are due to arrive any day now so I can't say much about wear and tear, however my decorator has a microsuede chair that her dogs (many, many dogs too ;~) slobered a bit on.

So.... my vote is for Leather.

I got mine 4 years ago at leatherfurnituresouth.com. I went with the B grade because it was suppose to hold up to pets better.

jerri

Furniture tech,

I was searching this forum for some informtion on Max Home furniture and found your post. Are you still happy with the furniture?

Parkie,

If you still are looking for Max Home furniture, there is a store called DesI Living Innovations (www.desisofas.com) that carries it.

I have Irish Wolfhounds that lounge on my leather and cats that have a $900 microfiber chair for their bed, so I have seen it all.
The leather holds up beautifully if you get the correct grade- low. The high end stuff is not nearly as pet friendly. My dogs are upwards of 200 lbs and they don't leave a mark on them and these sofas are 5+ years old now.

The micro fiber holds up well, doesn't attract hair if you clean it once in a while, but to be honest I worry about it a whole lot more than I do the leather.