A lot of people suggest using Sunbrella (type) fabrics. They now have quite a few that look and feel like (soft) upholstery fabric. When I re-did my couch, I chose a fabric I really liked and then bought a throw-style cover from Sure-fit in a similar color. When company comes over, I just pull it off.

We get leather furniture. Cat hair doesn't stick to it. They do poke holes in it with their claws, though.

I don't know about fabric choices, but I have to clean up lots of dog hair. On furniture, I find that spraying lightly with hairspray and then letting it dry helps pick up lots more. Don't spray to much though.

msmeow, would you mind sharing the fabric name from LaZBoy. It is one of the options we were considering. Thanks.

We also have a microfiber couch and chair that are about 10 years old. Cat fur doesn't seen to stick to it (or if a little does, it's easy to wipe off). No damage from scratching either--I agree with msmeow, they just don't seem to like scratching those pieces of furniture.

Fuzzies over where they sit - throw them in the washer and then pick off the balled up dog hair. Pets and sofas don't do well together but the pets are worth it.

We have a microfiber sofa too and yes it may be a good choice for animals but there are several downsides to it as well that I wish I would have been aware of before we chose the sofa we did. If I had, I probably wouldn't have chosen it.

Microfiber is not material, it's recycled plastic, it doesn't have the same feel as upholstry and I really hate the way it feels on my skin. I also am not happy with all the electric static is holds especially during drier weather, every time someone moves on it, it shocks them. And lastly, just like a memory foam mattress runs warm, so does microfiber. After all the hype about how wonderful it was, it's been a huge disappointment and I really don't get why people love it so.

In the end, even though we have a Microfiber sofa, we still cover the dog's favorite spot with a blanket. She never sits there when the blanket isn't out. I hate the Microfiber and IMO it was a wasted effort.. Never again, next time, I'll consider our comfort and sitting needs first before I worry about dog or cat hair.

I should add too that, my daughter and SIL had a Laz-y Boy microfiber sofa they paid a lot of money for and they were sorely disappointed with it as well. It was just the two of them and a couple of cats (both the fabric and the cushions were shot within 5 years) but theirs was a lighter color so maybe that had something to do with it.

I have always had good results with leather, because it can just be wiped off. It is important to keep the leather sealed, and your pets nails clipped by a groomer/vet (be careful, too short will hurt them). Also, get a good grade of leather! Leather is more expensive, but worth it, because it looks better and lasts longer. Good luck with your purchase. We have had good luck with Smith Brothers Furniture, made in Indiana.

I have two bulldogs and prefer leather too. Only issue is the scratches. There's no way around it and I'm still annoyed as we spent a small fortune for our leather sofa. Unlike K Sissy, I wouldn't spend that much on leather furniture (if you have pets) again.

For the house, we purchased slip cover furniture. I also bought 2 extra slip covers, just in case, and two throws.

A slipcover canvas would work well.

I have microfiber in one room and leather in another with a very shedd-y dog. By far, the microfiber is much harder to clean because the hairs "stick" to it. The material was great when my kids were younger because stains can wipe right out. My daughter once used a black ink pen and drew smiley faces on all the pillows and we were able to remove it all with Purell. Who knew Purell was the magic eraser of microfiber?!

Anyhow, the microfiber sofa is now almost 10 years old and while still stain fee, the material has worn down giving it a cheesy, shiny effect. I hate it. And likelukkiirish, the feel of it is like bad polyester.

I have Sunbrella fabric on a window seat in my kitchen that basically doubles as a dog perch all day, and three years later, it hasn't shown any wear and tear and I just give it a good wipe each week with a damp rag to pull hairs off. My only issue with this is that he sheds white onto a blue cushion.

I'll be replacing my microfiber couches with off white canvas slip covered sofas - probably Ikea Ektorp.

Rebecca, you need to get a blue dog! LOL :)

Doesn't matter what color the pets and the furniture are - the hair always shows!

Donna

We like our microfiber sofa (8 years old) so much for durability with 4 cats we just used it for our kitchen banquette. I think it is comfortable. What I would not do again are buttons in the seat cushion of any fabric. Those poke and in microfiber did get shiny - they must wear differently.

I think that sunbrella fabric is stiff and uncomfortable. I can tolerate it outside, but it's not something that I want to relax on all of the time.

We have leather, no hair sticks :)

Try "Jumper" herringbone fabric. It rated for 50,000 double rubs. It's comfortable, soft, doesn't have a nape, and has built in stain resistance. Available in 150 colors.

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful and considered comments. I think I have more questions than answers as I continue this search for the perfect sofa!!

I am not sure what my chair is made of (sorta velvet-y?) but I hate it. It seems to suck excess fur out of thin air. :(