If you're doing fabric go with a microfiber its easy to clean and very durable and cost effective otherwise leather is always a great choice! And you will want something that will last so a wood frame sofa is best like ours are at Ethan Allen :)

Depends on whether you're talking "cats walking around" or "cats scratching" and "kids who are 4" or "kids who are 17". :) Agree with microfiber. Would be leery of leather -- one spilled soda goes a long way...

we have white canvas slip covers. washable and the cat cannot get her claws into it. easy to take the cover off the cushion she sleeps on most often, toss it into the washer. its 20 years old now and still really looking good.

Thanks, all. This is helpful! And I'm obviously talking about cats with claws and small children. Else, this wouldn't be an issue. :)

Maybe I should ask it this way: Are there any specific microfibers from specific companies that you've found have held up particularly well? And any companies whose couches, in general, tend to stand the test of time?

Thanks!

I have heard of a company that gets great reviews, it has fabric that is child and cat proof, or so it says, have not tried. Home reserve, they are online.

Sunbrella does a fabric for indoor use that might be the answer and I always had scratching pads for our cats and they never scratched our leather. As for spills either leather or the sunbrella would be my choice microfiber starts looking old pretty quick if you are always cleaning up spills and IMO is a dated look

I have found that mouse traps or sticky tape on the couch keeps the cats and dogs off when I am not home.

hmmmm, i do not believe that mouse trap idea would pass safety standards. have you tried that on your fingertips? how about toes? yep, think about it that could break a finger that is a 10th the size of yours?

@ Have fun You put them upside down, so if tripped, they jump up into the air, no toes crushed. eesh.

Hmm I don't remember signing any paperwork about safety standards within my own home. It's been a few years since I had to last do this but the animals don't get on the furniture. Seems to have worked just fine without any broken bones.

My vote is ultrasuede...with the trademark. Expensive, but worth it. It will last a lifetime.

glad to know it is up side down, i had never heard of this, not something we did in fl in the city? people just do these things and don't even think about them, it gets me worried. thank you for info.

I have 5 cats and three microfiber couches. One from Macy's and two from Haverty's and my cats have no interest in scratching them. As far as durability goes, I have taken the covers off of the cushions and pillows and washed them in my washing machine multiple times and the Macy's couch still looks new. I have cleaned the two couches from Haverty's using a carpet cleaner and they still look great too. I've had them all for about 5 years. I'll be sad when microfiber is out because I love it for its durability.

Thanks, everyone! Okay, new question: can you recommend any stylish microfiber sectionals that come in grey? And what about smaller, MCM sofas that come in velvet or microfiber?