will I regret cream sofa + kids??

[Annie456]

I've just moved into a new house and have been sofa shopping..i've found a beautiful cream sofa (which comes in a range of other colours but I've fallen for the cream). I've got a 2yo DS and just about to have another DC...will I really regret it? DH keeps referring to jam on toast, muddy shoes and cat paws. tell me he's wrong!!!!

Depends how picky you are.

We have the Ektorp. Bought it when DD was 2yr old, and DD a baby. They are 11 and 9yrs old now and it still looks fairly decent. Getting a bit threadbare but no really horrible stains.

It helps massively that it has removable covers, otherwise it would be covered in ink, yogurt and vomit stains.

Ok! Ok! Ok! I get it...no cream sofa :o( so ill probably get one in dark grey and fill it with lighter cushions and a throw...though has anyone successfully covered a sofa with a throw without it looking like a decorating sheet??!

Don't bother with a throw. Cushions (with removable and washable covers) are better. Walls or curtains can be light coloured.

Yes.

My previous sofa was cream. It wasn't so much the kids' shoes, jam etc, but rather people leaning against or brushing past it in the same spots whilst wearing jeans. Jeans, no matter how old and well-washed, leave blue stains all over cream sofas.

I nearly got a white leather sofa when I was single (no kids, animals, husband) but decided against it, because I was told dark blue jeans would rub off on it. I would never do it with kids.

Aw, Annie, I hope you don't feel we are all terrible spoilsports.
Consider us Good Fairygodmothers who prevented you from succumbing a Terrible Fate .

I bet your new living room will be fab and by the time it's covered in lots of toys and the general detritus of Living With Children the discussion about 'Should I have a cream sofa?' will be remembered with incredulous fondness

I know everybody seems to think the only work if you are precious about them buy ours really has been fine. Same goes for our pale carpets.
I don't make anybody take off their shoes (unless caked in mud), DS isn't allowed to eat dinner on the sofa (but that's more because I prefer us to eat at the table)
I've only washed the covers when there has been a big accident and when we moved house.
I guess we've been lucky but I thought they were going to be a terrible idea and nine years on I think I've been proved wrong.
Silk cushions however have been a nightmare and wouldn't get them again.

Nobody else is allowed to come out I support of the cream sofa!!! I've accepted it..the huge sisal rug is being made as we speak so that will "lighten" the room, huge over mantel mirror is coming on weds and then I might just live in it for a bit with my existing (very tired and old) brown leather sofa and get something non leather in the jan sales (I never bonded with the leather sofa...) I'm just in nesting-overdrive but the sofa will have to give...this time!

Well as I mentioned I am now on my second one, because I love the look. But I have to say I really like being able to take the covers off and wash them. It also makes the place smell nicer -- one drawback of the old cream sofa was that it was definitely a bit whiffy.

Possibly yes. My gorgeous cream sofa got ruined when I moved in with my boyfriend- wrecked way before the baby came along! X