Sofas - if not brown leather, then WHAT?!

[CoffeeMum]

I can't deny that with small children and pets, the lure of the brown leather sofa is very strong. But the widespread criticism of them on here, and the fact that everyone i know seems to have them does put me off slightly. However, i do wonder if it's the only realistic option with children and pets. I've heard it said that fabric sofas are good in that you can wash the covers - but what about the arms where there is no cover to remove if you see what i mean? Won't they end up especially battered and grubby?

Please talk to me about practical alternatives to the brown leather sofa! Thanks very much

I would think a hardwearing chenille/velvet/"dralon" fabric which could be scrubbed if need be would be a good alternative. Let's face it they cover bus seats in that stuff! I would start collecting swatches and do the felt tip pen test.

Just get brown leather. Who cares what people think, it's not them that has to wipe up spills/ accidents.

Brown leather sofa here and it's great. It takes about 10 seconds to hoover off all the white fur my puss cat leaves behind. Have managed to chuck various drinks all over it (tea, Ribena, etc.) and it cleans up really easily.

I'd go for it!

Five sons = brown leather sofas for the last ten years - excellent and a great relief after previous fabric sofa attempt (treating with stain guard stuff did not help with spilt drinks and leaks from nappies of sleeping toddlers etc!).

However, bored of brown now and so have just had new sofas delivered this week - red leather for a change!

No way could we cope with fabric of any sort.