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Original poster

Are LEATHER SOFAS the best thing with YOUNG kids???

24 replies

drosophila · 26/08/2006 18:38

Says it all really. We are in the market for a new sofa and we have an 18mth old and a 6 yr old.

Have seen some lovely leather sofas but wondered if they are the best with kids. I assume they are as they are wipe able etc but is there anything I am missing?

OP posts:

Blondilocks · 26/08/2006 18:40

The only thing that I can think of is scratches on the leather - mainly caused by shoes & toys (& sometimes belts).

Original poster

drosophila · 26/08/2006 18:45

So do the scratches look bad or do they add to the character?
Thanks

OP posts:

Sunnysideup · 26/08/2006 19:04

I'd say go for it - we have one fabric and one leather sofa; the fabric one sits there looking grimy and dirty and I'm always thinking "oh god, I'd better try and wash those covers AGAIN" while the leather one gleams away looking brand new!

Dunno about scratches, we haven't any on ours and we are NOT a careful family - have boisterous 4 yr old (and his dad's not much better!)

Flossam · 26/08/2006 19:07

Sat here with my cream fabric sofa as much as I hate them I think leather must be the way forward. I think our next sofa whenever that will be will be a leather one.

lilmamma · 26/08/2006 19:17

ours is a navy leather as with 5 children and a dog,a cream one was out the window,also if you get cream leather with stitching,the stitching gets grubby as with a darker colour you cant see,mine is 4 years old and still looks brand new,a quick wipe is all it needs,a banana skin wiped over brings a lovely shine and it doesnt smell.the actual skin is quite tough so doesnt tear as easily as you think,go for it you wont be dissapointed

MoreTeaAnyone · 26/08/2006 19:19

My kids are 3 and 5 we have a leather couch and it's great with the kids. Doesn't bite at all.

jabberwocky · 26/08/2006 19:19

We have one. Have never had a problem with scratches. I love it. Everything just wipes off. Don't get hooked into buying special cleaners, just mild soap and water is fine.

Pixiefish · 26/08/2006 19:21

Fab to wipe sick and anything else horrible off. Baby wipe cleans it. Keep their shoes off the sofa but leather is very resilient. Better for eczema as well cos the dust can't get into it

QueenMab · 26/08/2006 19:23

If you buy a decent quality one the scratches won't show. As Jabberwocky says, don't buy all that crap for cleaning leather. I use microfibre cloths and water and everything comes off

redshoes · 26/08/2006 19:28

Yes go for it. We have brown leather and 4 mad children and it is surviving brilliantly - way better than our old cream sofas did!

Spidermama · 26/08/2006 19:36

Yep. I love mine and I'm supposed to be a vegetarian.
They're durable, wipable and comfortable.

cat64 · 26/08/2006 19:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

PeachyClairHasBadHair · 26/08/2006 19:43

We have a huge^ claret coloured sofa that is so big all five of us and the cat can sit on it (there's a matching smaller one that only gets used post-row [wink). It's one of the best investments we have ever made; hardl;y shows dirt, wipes clean, comfy as anything.

Be careful on some sofas though: some leathers are more surable than others, my friend bought her V posh pale green one, her lazy sister put a paper on the sofa, sat on it, all the print transferred and stained it.

Original poster

drosophila · 26/08/2006 20:14

Thanks everyone. Will probably order tomorrow. Now have to decide between Red or Chocca......

OP posts:

Nemo1977 · 26/08/2006 20:16

I have a nearl 3yr old and a 8mth old and ours is fab. WE got it just before we had dd and it is cream yet it looks fantastic. Personally would go for chocca

Original poster

drosophila · 26/08/2006 20:17

Whilst I like the red I fear I would tire of it.

OP posts:

Nemo1977 · 26/08/2006 20:23

Exactly plus easier to redecoarate around chocca.

divamummy · 26/08/2006 22:22

cold.

jabberwocky · 26/08/2006 22:25

As peachyclair said, go for a top quality. It'll be way worth it in the long run.

suejonez · 26/08/2006 22:27

Spidermama - "love mine and I'm supposed to be a vegetarian" but you're not supposed to EAT it!

JackieNo · 26/08/2006 22:29

We've just bought one from Ikea, and love it.

mummyplonk · 26/08/2006 22:33

We went to DFS on one of their sale weekends! I would guess there will probably be one this weekend as well, the lady talked me out of the more expensive soft leather sofa I fell in love with and recommended the Dark Brown leather one we now have for our family. It is fab, everyday it gets covered with shreddies, breadsticks, biccies, yoghurt and worse but I wipe it down with just water and it comes up like new.

KristinaM · 26/08/2006 22:33

we have 3 kids under 6 and two brown leather sofas and they are wearing very well. So easy to clean. They were not expensive, just from Ikea. They do look a little bit creased and saggy ( like me) but it all adds to the character.

i also recommend wooden floors and a patterned rug to go with them

seb1 · 26/08/2006 22:46

Yes as highlighted today by, DD (23 months) decided "no clothes mummy" quickly followed by "no nappy" followed by "oh look what I did" as I tried to quickly lift said deposit from floor while saying "just don't move" she ran off dived on leather sofa and slid down leaving skid marks, Thank God it wasn't fabric.

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