Fabric for sofa bed in child's room help!

[MrsBobDylan]

I have a small business re-upholstering mid century sofas and armchairs. I have a (currently very ugly) 2 seater, wood framed sofa which extends for into a single bed.

I want to transform it to a sofa bed for a child's bedroom/playroom. To increase its chances of making sale, it needs to be unisex and suitable for all ages up to teens.

If you were to order a sofa for your child's bedroom/playroom, what colours and pattern/plain fabric would you like it in?

Any suggestions gratefully received!

Definetly something plain and hardwearing in a muted colour. Picking anything pattered would reduce the pool of buyers I'd have thought.

That's helpful, thanks. I will paint the frame , so say if I went for a soft, warm grey for fabric, would a white frame appeal?

DH has suggested I make up some cushions to in a child type fabric (animals etc) to demonstrate that the sofa can be styled for a child's room.

@MrsBobDylan

That's helpful, thanks. I will paint the frame , so say if I went for a soft, warm grey for fabric, would a white frame appeal?

DH has suggested I make up some cushions to in a child type fabric (animals etc) to demonstrate that the sofa can be styled for a child's room.

Maybe grey and white pinstripe?

I had considered a pin stripe - do people feel grey is the best colour? I liked this one but dh didn't think it would appeal enough?

Or indulge my love of cute fabric and have Terry Toucan on one side of the box cushions and plain/stripe on the other side? The cushion could be turned over as your child wants something more grown up?

I think you may get a more premium price if you allow the customer to choose the finish. Maybe list it with a selection of fabric swabs and paints and when sold, speak to the buyer about how they would like it?

I would like to do that but it is so bloody ugly at the moment that I can't see any buyer being able to ignore the pretend mahogany finish and lack of any cushions!!

I offered to do it up for one of my ds' - my eldest said it was the ugliest sofa he'd ever seen 😂 and it was a flat out no from the other two!

Fair point!

What about duck egg? Good for a nursery but would work in a teen room/office.

Oooh, I have some lovely duck egg fabric coming in the next couple of days. It's good quality and easy to sponge clean.

My business is based on the principles of beautiful and practical (my trading name is Beau Utility). My children have destroyed many of my sofas over the years, I try to make them as touch as possible

Thanks for your suggestions, I am going for easy clean duck egg blue!

For the more expensive purchases, I'd look for longevity and versatility. I'd buy a grey pinstripe or a solid muted colour because I could always find a cushion to match that would tie it in with the rest of the decor. As much as I love the toucan print, it would really limit my options for the rest of the room in terms of colours and themes.
My main concern would be, can the covers be removed and put in the washing machine?

I totally agree! My middle son is Autistic and once mixed up some paint in the middle of my new futon sofa. The covers were buttoned and at that time I didn't have the skills I do now, so it had to go. I had to buy new cushions and a washable cover for them, setting me back £300 in total.