Since cats do like scratching lots of fabrics you could consider clear plastic ghost chairs for all chairs or for most of the chairs (i.e. side chairs), or you could consider them with just the seats upholstered.

Any upright piece of upholstery is attractive to cats. I suggest that you look for wood chairs with a fabric seat.

You could also consider chairs with backs that are mainly metal since they also scratch wood.

How about "disposable" washable chair slipcovers?

Inexpensive Slipcovers

I've got cats and face the same problems. I recently purchased three counter stools and the cats tried to scratch on them right away. I happened to have some clear contact paper & I put some on the chairs with some t-pins (it's not super sticky). They certainly don't try anymore and I just take it off when company comes.

I am looking for new dining and living room furniture (did a complete remodel) and have the same dilemma. The one fabric that from what I can find (so they say) is pretty much cat-proof is Sunbrella fabric. Sunbrella has many colorful prints too. I've gotten a catalog in the mail from Sailrite.com, the catalog has lots of Sunbrella and Sunbrella-type fabrics in it - I personally like them, lots of colors too. There is another fabric that I read about a while ago that's good for cat owner, it starts with the letter "K." I've actually considered Ikea furniture with slipcovers going forward but the style isn't exactly what I want and want better quality.

I also have two microfiber chairs and they do leave them alone, I personally don't want that fabric anymore going forward....

I've got many scratching options for my cats and it's true what I have been told that a scratching post has to be large enough that they can stretch when they scratch. Mine are pretty good about using it but they do use some of the furniture at times.

Hope these ideas help a little! Good luck!

megn, the other fabric you are thinking of is probably crypton.

Not a fan of cats... I'm sorry. I'm sure they enrich your life but otherwise... no pets in my house. I realize this is probably an unpopular opinion.

Get a few of these and place them near the areas where you have scratching problems. They are very high quality and heavy duty—cats love them. Your cats are using your furniture because they don't have a better option. They scratch to remove the dead outer layers of their claws. When you see your cat going towards your furniture, bring them over to the scratching post. You can use cat nip to get them interested in it. Praise them after they use it, give them a treat, etc. Also, buy a pair of claw trimmers and trim your cat's claws once a week.

After you do all that—and your have been cats retrained—get your chairs reupholstered.

Thank you all for your suggestions. My cats have scratching posts nearby and elsewhere. 2 cats use them one doesn't. He's the culprit. I am thinking some of the extra strong fabrics would be the way to go.

I trim kitty's nails. It helps a lot. Only usually do the fronts and he is agreeable when sleepy. :) And being a cat, he is always sleepy . . .

I have three of those exact scratching posts plus another kind one of my cats likes. No, really.

Ah, I can now see the corner of the scratching post in your picture. It took some time, but I was able to train my cat to use it. He doesn't bother with the furniture with those posts around. I also trim his nails every week. I'm just afraid that if you don't deal with the source of the problem, you'll recover the chairs only to have them ruined again.

Another option to try are Soft Claws. They are tiny rubber caps that are glued onto their nails. I have a friend that uses them and it solved her scratching problem. You'll just have to keep up with maintaining them.

Performance fabrics: ie Sunbrella fabric. It's currently being used on high-end upholstered furniture and they make some beautiful pieces. Here's a piece that originally appeared on houzz.

If there is an out of the way corner in which you could put a scratching post with a shelf on top, most cats will seek the high perch and train themselves to use the scratching post. With some lumber and an area rug, the one in the upper left hand corner could be a DIY project.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/418553359091355080/?lp=true

or this one:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/237353842840690743/

how about... make covers for your chairs. replace the upholstery on only 2 of your chairs.... the damaged one, and another, in a print that goes with the blue. you can have covers on all the time (looking good) and whisk them off when company comes. use the print ones for the ends.

I have several damaged ones unfortunately. The damage occurred quite soon after we got the chairs, and although we have mostly stopped the behaviors the damage remains. I might be able to save a couple of the blue ones.

Those chairs look like a good shape for slipcovering. Some cats don't like scratching on loose fabric so it's possible that the naughty cat will find something else to abuse if the chairs are slipcovered.

But cats are rarely that easy. :)

Geranium oil - repels cats. Put some on your upholstery.

I eliminated furniture cat scratching by buying an extra tall scratching post. It turns out that my cats wanted to really stretch tall themselves while scratching and the shorter posts were not satisfying. No problems since and each day, my cats (2) make several trips to the scratching post. I also bought a fairly tall cat tree that they both frequent several times a day to play on, sleep on, or scratch on.

Alas my cats already have all those fine amenities...

I had to train one cat with a spray bottle of water and put packing tape over the corner of the furniture until she figured out what she could scratch. The only downside to this is that sometimes she becomes distressed when I take a shower and stands outside the shower meowing plaintively.

I found this chair on the sidewalk thanks to some cat......

nicely done!

Look for a very tightly woven fabric. I’ve had lots of cats and they’ve all left tightly woven fabric alone. We condition the cats by placing fresh orange peel under the furniture edges and they avoid it. Pretty soon the peel isn’t necessary. Essential oil works too. Nothing will avoid claw damage when they decide to go on a tear around the house. Once they start scratching a particular piece, it’s hard to break them of the habit.

wacokid, was the cat a mountain lion? Even my very large kitty couldn't rip furniture that badly and his nickname is "Puma"! :)

Kate, I also wanted to add that I regularly clip my cats claws, which seems to minimize their need to scratch. I could be wrong, but I think cats scratch to remove the outer sheath of their claws as they grow long.

Instead of training with a squirt bottle, use a can of compressed air (like the ones for dusting keyboards). They dislike it even more than water and it's much neater than water. . :)

Elle, where can I find that upholstered ghost chair in the second pic?

Jules -- the chair is made by Global Views. It can be yours for the bargain price of $4.5k. :D

http://www.addisoncollection.net/gv-3-31165-com.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyYHaBRDvARIsAHkAXcvkCEgM6twoeurV2JAdx31oAtJ25Dlns0jVjJv4z6t4TEfFxIFBQzIaAt8_EALw_wcB

Can you train your cat to only use his scratching post? Or have a scratching post in every room and encourage scratching on them with a cat treat?

I am thinking of buying rattan or seagrass indoor chairs with cotton/linen seat pillows. I hope cats will scratch them, but it will be still looking good. I have my rugs jute and seagrass They look appropriate. Does anybody have an experience?