With kids and puking cats I love the synthetic rugs - so easy to clean. I occasionally take them to be cleaned and the rug cleaner said I could add soap and hose them down myself in the driveway if I'm so inclined. I think I will do this with my kitchen rugs (smaller and cheaper).

We have mostly wool hooked rugs here.

Ours are kinda grandmotherly although there are less fusty styles available. We first got them because our cat would scratch up other rugs, but he hated getting his claws snagged in the hooked rug so it was safe. Years later, we have kids and a large dog (but no cats) and we still have the rugs. It's long past time to replace them with something more appropriate to our current home but there's nothing wrong with them--they've been abused and except for the one the puppy ate, they look good.

With cats and future kids I'll also only buy synthetic in the future. I'd completely stay away from hand tufted wool because they shed a lot. I have one of those under my table and it's plush and pretty but it sheds and you're not to use a shampooer/steam cleaner on it. When my cats have decided to leave me a present, I've ignored the "dab with water or take to a professional" and scrubbed with a washcloth and Dr. Scholls pet scrub stuff. It seems fine. Any other type of rug, I'm not interested in rolling it up and hauling it somewhere for a cleaning.

Take a look at Karastan rugs.

Or, depending on your style, the chenille braided rugs. Soft, and reversible.

I have flat weave wool rugs that hold up to a LOT of abuse, but they're not what I'd call soft for sitting on. Another benefit is that they are also reversible. And in my house, they don't show dog fur like some wool/plush rugs do.

I appreciate all the input. I will look at Karastan and synthetic. Thanks so much!