Couches

[spade117]

We're looking to buy new furniture for the living room(very small). Prefer a sectional.

We have 2 dogs that do go on the existing couch, and 4 children, the 3 youngest ranging from almost 3 to almost 9.

What is considered the best material for that kind of action? Any advice or any other knowledge you want to pass along would be great. Thx.

[km630]

Sounds like you want disposable furniture as NOTHING can survive three kids and two dogs. Leather is definitely out unless you keep the dogs nails trimmed regularly. It scratches bad.

Are the kids allowed to eat in the living room? If so, expect a few spills.

I am not a big fan of the microfiber. My personal preference would be to go with whateve the cheapest sectional you can find in a fabric you like that has some amount of pattern to it. The pattern can hide some of the marks of the kids and dogs.

Just know that in a few years, it will probably look like an old sofa. The amount of abuse kids and animals put on furniture always surprises me.

[Quads]

Not all leather.
I'm probably not going to get a bunch of support on it, but with kids... 100% leather. With dogs, 100% leather. General use, wear and tear, etc. etc. 100% leather.

Good leather. Nice stuff. Nice thick hides. Something that is backed by a decent manufacture, guarantee and warranty.

We've had leather with both dogs, and two kids. Chocolate milk shake wipes up from leather. Markers wipe up. Ball point pen. Dog hair comes up with a damp cloth.

Do they have scratches and marks on them? Of course. It's part of the natural use and wear of it. Keep them conditioned with leather conditioner, or saddle oil, and they look great.

I couldn't imagine having cloth couches. Not with kids.

[Haps]

Now that my kids have destroyed 2 of my couches that I love(and would buy 2 more of if they were available for sale) I kick myself for not buying the fitted slip covers that were available.

[spade117]

I know leather is good for the things mentioned, I just don't find it that comfortable.

We did some browsing tonight at a few stores...the wife took notes and pictures, so we have some comparisons to go over for now.

[monkey_booger]

Go leather.

Cleans well, doesn't absorb odor, and it stands up well against the average dog's toe nails. As long as your dog doesn't chew, you'll be fine.

I've had five dogs over the past 10-12 years (Chihuahua, Boston, Boxer, Pointer mix, and Papillion) and you can't tell by looking at the couch or love seat.

[Quads]

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/hounds02.jpg.jpg

[Randy2310]

What quads said. have had leather couches since 05 pre dog & 2 kids and they're still doing fine. clean easy. but if you're finding leather not comfortable don't get "tight" leather. get plushy. get a couch built like a 400lb womans tits and get lost in it.

our couch is easy to sleep on when the kids decide to drag me out of bed for cereal & cartoons at 6am. my SIL crashes on it all the time. we also have the recliner seats that pop out which can make it uncomfortable if you find that spot between cushions. but that's your call if you want those or not YMMV

[Seven©]

Leather x5.
I clean our with Murphy's Oil Soap and for light clean-ups I use Pledge wipes.


my SIL crashes on it all the time.

pics or gtfo

[Randy2310]

pics or gtfo

Oh I'm sorry I couldn't find any creepy pictures of my sis in law sleeping on my couch. I did find this though

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/randy2310/Mobile%20Uploads/1212091032_01.jpg

see how comfortable that couch is?

[Seven©]

my nephew has that pillow

[j p frog]

Oh I'm sorry I couldn't find any creepy pictures of my sis in law sleeping on my couch. I did find this though

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/randy2310/Mobile%20Uploads/1212091032_01.jpg

see how comfortable that couch is?

seeing the dog why don't you go all the way and get a cat with a leash?:rolleyes:

[Randy2310]

seeing the dog why don't you go all the way and get a cat with a leash?:rolleyes:

why does the dog equal a cat?

[spade117]

We went out again looking tonight. We did come across one we liked that was made from dura leather. It's a good size and it's within our budget...so maybe.

[Seven©]

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7991/qdawgs.png

[getatjbrown]

sorry if I am out of line here.... but I have had dogs almost my whole life...

They are required to stay on the floor, and no dog will ever be on my furniture EVER, unless it gets a job and starts chippin in on furniture!

[Randy2310]

sorry if I am out of line here.... but I have had dogs almost my whole life...

They are required to stay on the floor, and no dog will ever be on my furniture EVER, unless it gets a job and starts chippin in on furniture!

Not out of line, each his own. My cousin is the same and his yellow labs aren't allowed up anywhere. I've also had dogs for 20+ years and we always *WANTED* them up on the furniture after we realized how much more enjoyable their company was snuggled up on the couch/bed. The only place I don't agree with is at the table which I bicker with my brother over as he lets his dog up.

[getatjbrown]

I have a friend with two labs... I witnessed him letting his dogs lick silverware clean before putting it in the dishwasher.

I almost lost it.

[spade117]

sorry if I am out of line here.... but I have had dogs almost my whole life...

They are required to stay on the floor, and no dog will ever be on my furniture EVER, unless it gets a job and starts chippin in on furniture!

Not out of line, peoiple have differing opinions.

My children don't have jobs either, but I feel they should be allowed on my couch.

[Seven©]

To each his own. Our dog is allowed on the couch, but not on the beds.


My children don't have jobs either, but I feel they should be allowed on my couch.

that made me lol

[spade117]

To each his own. Our dog is allowed on the couch, but not on the beds.



Our dogs know not to get on our bed while we are awake...they wait until we fall asleep, because every morning when we wake up, they are on there.

[MsprinM]

Our dogs know not to get on our bed while we are awake...they wait until we fall asleep, because every morning when we wake up, they are on there.

My son is the same way.

[Wishbone]

Well if you are not going to go with a leather (or somthing of that type) cover I recommend a "Hacksaw" blade to clean the pet hair off any type of fabric cover. Just put each end in hand, bend it in a 180 degree or so arc and scrape away. It will remove almost all of it in one pass. It works wonders at my camp (the only place my dog is allowed inside other than her bed in the utility room)


This is Molly, squrrel hunter extrodnar, my dog. Sheds like hell 365/24.
http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/Carey_1/IMG_2804.jpg

[Quads]

2 dimes. Three pieces. Treehundo off right now.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11597008&cm_mmc=BCEmail_FebMarMailer2011-_-1-_-Banner