I Need a New Couch! What Works Well with Kids?

I am a BIG fan of IKEA. I bought a Tylosand couch, which can also be a sectional. They have a good selection of colors to choose from, but the BEST part, is that it's washable! I have an almost-three year old, and one on the way. I've only had it about 6 months, but seeing as how I've already had to wash it, it's worked out great!!

I concur with the other responses - leather, leather, leather!! We have a leather sectional that we were fortunate enough to buy direct from the manufacturer so it was much less than in the stores and we've had it for 9 years and it still looks and feels new! My brother in law works at Daytons, er, Marshall Fields, er, MACY'S Home Store (they've changed names so many times) in Edina. I know he helped my sister in law find an affordable set - couch, oversized chair and ottoman for under $2000 I believe. His name is Greg if you're interested.

Good Luck!

We bought a microfiber couch and LOVE it. It cleans up really well.

Great topic! We also are searching for new couches and are considering Chenille. Any personal testimonials one way or the other? Thanks. ~~W.

I'm a big fan of the micro-fiber (or micro-suede, as has been referred to). I'm not sure what brand our couch is, we got it at Hom Furniture, but it's held up well to spills and spit-up so far. We don't allow eating and drinking on it, but there are still the occassional messes. : ) We also have two Jack Russell Terriers who shed a LOT, and it's super easy to vacuum. Their hair is very wiry, so it weaves itself into most fabrics and is impossible to get out, but not this couch! We don't let the dogs up on the couch, but their hair gets everywhere anyway, just from being on us and everything else.

Our couch also does not have removable cushions, which sounds weird, but is actually very nice. Everything is sewn together, so there are no big seams and crevices for food and loose change and small toys to fall in between the cushions and get lost. Not sure if that would make any difference to your ferret, but I've found it to be helpful with keeping the couch clean. Our couch is 3 years old already and still looks like new. It doesn't show scratches either, that I've noticed. So if sharp pet nails do get on the couch, it shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck!

We recently bought a new couch also for the same reason. We went with a suade sectional and had it sprayed with protectant. I thought " you got to be kidding me with suede" with two kids. However when we purchased it at Minn Warehouse Furniture they told us by us getting it sprayed we would be able to wipe anything off from it. They were not lying my kids have spilt grape juice ( we dont allow eating or drinking but it was my husband that did it), wrote pen and marker ( not intentionally) and believe it or not we just used a baby wipe on it and it all came out. Now if you cant get a stain out you call the place of purchase and they send someone out to clean it, if they cannot remove the stain they replace whatever part was ruined. We have never had to call on anyone and we also have two dogs a yellow lab and a weimeraner. And we have had it for almost two years now.

Leather, Leather, Leather. We have 2 kids and also do foster care. I have had 8 kids 7 and under living here before and my furniture still looks like new. It's been peed on and lots of other things and it just wipes right off. I love that I can just use baby wipes on it to clean it because as long as they don't have alcohol on them they even moisturize it. I've had them for 5 years and have not ever used a leather cleaner or moisturizer on them, just the wipes. I also have another sectional couch that's the 3rd generation fake leather and that has held up great also.
Happy shopping,
J.

Leather. My grandparents have had the same leather couch for over 15 years. There are 13 grandkids who have grown up with it and now there are 6 great grandkids. It's a little faded, but that was mostly due to us sitting on it in our swimsuits. The other couch has been replaced many times and they finally went to leather with the other one too. We recently bought new furniture and the leather works really well.

I'm a slipcover fan. We bought two slipcover couches. I have two little ones and two dogs. Though we try to have the usual no food/pets on the couch, it's nice to know I can toss it in the wash if something happens to it. I've washed mine several times and it's great. We got ours at HOM furniture.

i have a i guess you could say fake leather couch i have two kids 2 dogs and a cat. i like it very much and it's black. it holds up very well. and i got it at comfort shop

I have a leather couch. Besides being really comfy!! It is durable. I have an 8yr, 2 yr, and 16 yr old step son so it holds up really nice.. I love it.... It washes nice and it is sturdy.. Good luck... A.

I have a suede microfiber set from Ashley's that was sprayed with Scothguard and has stood up to milk, soda, pasta sauce, chocolate, frosting (I could list everything my 18 mo old has gotten on our couch but I don't think there is enough room). The cushions dont come off either. Which helps with the ferret.

Hi B.,

leather works well with kids and pets, Not cheap leather Quality leather. A micro suede also works well. We found this out after 5 kids,four couches later.. Quality is key to a lasting sofa regardless of the Material you choose.

I agree with leather. We just purchased a new couch and love seat set and are waiting for it to be delivered. We had leather before this and we love it. My children are 5 & 10 and were 2 and 7 when we purchased it. I love that you can just wipe spills off. but I aslo don't allow eating or drinking in the living room. I am getting new furniture because when I moved the friends that moved me forced the leather through the door and bent the frame and now boards stick out when you sit on it. Good Luck!