Wednesday 19 September 2012

Style With Kids Part 2: Fabrics

A difficult choice to make when you have kids is what fabrics to use around your home.  With all those milk cups, sticky fingers and dirty toes around you don't want to invest in a great sofa or upholstered chair to have it ruined shortly after.  You can make rules against food in the livingroom or standing on the furniture but accidents always happen. While you want to be able to keep your style, you also want everyone to be able to enjoy your home, kids included.  Plus it's nice to be able to have popcorn on the couch for family movie night ;)!    So if you can have fabrics around your house that you don't have to stress over and it still looks great, all the better!



The obvious choice for a super durable sofa is leather.  No worries about anything getting on it because it just wipes up.  If you invest in good quality, it can be something that lasts a lifetime.  There are some really beautiful leather couches out there at fairly reasonable prices but they do tend to set you back more than a typical upholstered piece.  And some people just don't like the look or feel of leather (myself not included, I don't know if I could go back to upholstered).



A not as obvious choice is white slipcovers.  What????  Ya white slipcovers.  When they get filthy you just take them off, throw them in the wash with some bleach and apparently they come out bright and beautiful.  Many families with children swear by them and they do look fabulous in a cottage or beach style home.  My only reservation about that is I'd be constantly taking them off, washing and putting them back on.  Seems like more work than I'd like to put in personally.  But they are gorgeous and a great option for those who aren't afraid of the work.

If you don't want to have to wash as frequently but still like the washable option, a dark patterned cover like this one from ikea would be a great choice.

Source: ikea.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Pattern is a great trick for hiding dirt.  These are a couple of fabrics that fit that bill.  Perfect for cushions or even an occasional chair.


 
 

Source: fabric.com via Kirsten on Pinterest
 
 
 

Source: fabric.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Indoor/outdoor fabrics are becoming a really popular choice.  Very durable and stain resistant they're amazing for dining chair seats!


Source: fabric.com via Kirsten on Pinterest


Source: fabric.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

I can imagine either of those on chairs like these!

 
 
 
 
 

 










 
Source: rugsusa.com via Kirsten on Pinterest
Indoor outdoor is a perfect choice for rugs too!  I love both these!  The giraffe is fun and the color in the next one would really add a nice pop to a room.
 
 

Source: rugsusa.com via Kirsten on Pinterest


Vinyl can be used for stool cushions or banquet seats in the kitchen.



So as you can see there are plenty of options out there, so you don't have to stress the next time the kids ask for a popsicle!

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