The Best Family Friendly Sofas

Fur. Spills. Crumbs. Bouncing. These are the imminent dangers to your home when you have pets and/or kids, so you have to make sure your furniture can stand up to them. We did the research for you and found sofas that have a sturdy build and are made of durable fabric—perfect for even the most chaotic households. They’re pretty much indestructible, easy-to-clean, and cute to boot. We’ve split our choices up into four popular categories: general, sectionals, leather, and sleepers.

Leather is one of the most durable materials, so it’s a great choice for households with kids and pets. However, not all leather is created equal. Aniline leather is the most natural and has not been treated with any dyes, making it the most sensitive to scuffs—you’ll want to avoid it when shopping. Instead, look for semi-aniline or pigmented leather, which has been treated to make it the most durable (and least expensive). Also keep an eye out for “top-grain” leather, which is considered more durable than split leather.

In terms of other fabrics, you can’t go wrong with microfiber or canvas. These materials are made to withstand all sorts of use, and are typically easy to clean and take care of. Also, you want to look for fabric that has a tight weave—chenille, velvet, and silk are no-gos, unless you get a special performance variety that is stronger than normal. If you have a favorite sofa we missed, let us know in the comments!

This simple, sophisticated sofa from Wayfair may not look like it’s ready to take on whatever your home (or kids or pets) can throw at it, but it is. The solid hardwood frame is built to last, and the polyester material naturally resists stains. When you do need to wash, though, just slip off the cushion covers and toss them in your washing machine. Good as new, and majorly comfy, too.

One way to know if your sofa will hold up to heavy use? Drop heavy weights on it. That’s what the people at Floyd did when they were making The Sofa. They wanted to simulate what 10 years of heavy use would look like, so they repeatedly dropped weights on it, pulled on the backrest, and tried as hard as they could to bend the legs. Nothing budged. The birch wood frame, powder-coated steel legs, stain-resistant fabric, and dense two-layer cushions stayed in place then, and they’ll stay in place for you and your family for many years, too.

Every element of this sofa from Arhaus was carefully designed to ensure it would maintain form and function. The performance Crypton fabric is made specifically to resist stains, moisture, and odors—all of them, always. The sustainably-sourced solid wood frame and recycled steel supports beneath the cushions mean your sofa won’t sag no matter how who or what stands on them. The seat cushions have interconnected steel coils for lasting support, the backrests have foam and flexible webbing to ensure they hold their shape… the list goes on. It’s definitely a steep price, but this piece is one you’ll keep forever.

This sofa was handmade down to its final stitch, and that careful craftsmanship means quality and durability. The hand-assembled kiln dried hardwood frame and hand-stitched fabric are only bonuses to the stylish mid-century shape and super-thick polyurethane foam cushions—all of it meant to look good and last no matter what happens.

Burrow is one of the best newer furniture brands around, with thoughtfully designed pieces that are built to last and grow with you. Their popular Nomad sofa also comes in this sectional style that’s made of naturally scratch- and stain-resistant tight olefin fiber. There are five colors, six leg finishes, and three arm styles to choose from—plus it has a built-in USB charger and 72-inch power cord.

West Elm is known for their wide range of upholstery choices, including their performance fabrics that are made to withstand plenty of traffic. The Eddy sectional is a versatile choice thanks to the reversible construction, and it can be purchased in performance basketweave, twill, and even performance velvet if you can’t quite give up your dream of a velvet sofa.

Interior Define is one of the best places to score a sofa perfectly suited to your needs, since every piece is fully customizable. The Maxwell sofa, which was designed by our very own founder & CEO Maxwell Ryan, comes in dozens of fabrics, and there’s even a “kid & pet-friendly” filter you can use to find the most durable of the bunch. Unlike other retailers with a limited number of colors and types of durable fabrics, Interior Define’s choices include velvet, linen, and textured cotton. If you’re undecided, you can order up to ten fabric swatches to check them out for yourself.

This highly reviewed sofa is much less expensive than your typical leather options, and it comes from one of our favorite boho retailers. The recycled leather and glossy finish make it a more durable option, although it’s still soft and comes with the color variations you’d expect with leather. It’s available in four colors, including cranberry and black.