Need help deciding on new loveseat

[Gina]

My poor loveseat is just shot... It's only a few years old, but the stuffing is coming out at the top (where the cushions are sewn to the back) and it's stained, and just blechh. Apparently my DS and I are hard on furniture, but I can't figure out how -- we're just sitting on it, not doing using it as a trampoline.

Anyways, I got it because it's microfiber, and I have 2 cats. For that purpose, it has done well -- the cats have tried to claw the sides, but haven't really gotten much purchase. You can't tell at all unless you bend down and look at the side. But the microfiber seems to stain so easily (have a dog too) and nothing seems to get the dirt out. It doesn't help that it's cream-colored... But my small little house is light and soothing, with tile floor the color of sand, very pale blue walls with white trim, and "beachy" accents. Some dark loveseat (not enough room for a sofa) would stick out like a sore thumb.

I'm thinking of leather this time... something that wouldn't stain, that would be cool for our 10 months of summer, and that would hold up. But how do cats react to leather furniture?? I hated leather up until now -- it's always brown or black, it seems -- but saw a piece at the Ashley website that I just fell in love with. It's a pale oyster grey, just perfect. I'm waiting for someone to call me back with a price.

I just have no clue how well cats & leather furniture go together... Or what to look for to know I'm not getting something that will disintegrate in a couple years. For reference, this is the piece I'm looking at:

http://www.ashleyfurniturehomestore...spx?group=&category=&id=9960035&ref=product-t

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!!

 

[badblackpug]

From my experience pets and leather are not a good mix. The dogs (one big, one small) destroyed my leather sofa. I can'[t imagine what cats would do. It was a very expensive leather sofa, too. We have microfiber now and we love it. EVERYTHING cleans up off it. We did have it stain guarded, though. 4 kids, 2 dogs..........

 

[Darth Boeder]

My cats tore up a leather couch. We know have a microfiber couch and I would not get anything else. I would suggest you stain guard your couch when you get it. Also I keep mine covered since we spent a lot of money on it. I just put on a throw or two.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Just a thought, since it's only 2 years old have you tried sewing it and steaming it? When my kids were little I used to steam my old Lane furniture with some of the cleaner and a little Oxyclean all the time and it would always take absolutely every stain out once it dried. As for the stuffing, you can buy batting & refill it then stitch it back up. They make special needles for furniture, they look like a u so they curve back out at you, do a search for "curved upholstery needle" and you'll find them.

PS - kitties and leather DO NOT go well together, if you do a google search for "Cat damage leather" and check out the images you'll see what my friends cat did to his set

 

[monkeybug]

We have a cat, two dogs, and three kids, so we need tough furniture! We have had best luck with a tightly woven tweedish material. The bummer is that typically its only available on higher end brands, but the bonus is that it is classic design and a style that will endure.

 

[monkeybug]

My poor loveseat is just shot... It's only a few years old, but the stuffing is coming out at the top (where the cushions are sewn to the back) and it's stained, and just blechh. Apparently my DS and I are hard on furniture, but I can't figure out how -- we're just sitting on it, not doing using it as a trampoline.

Anyways, I got it because it's microfiber, and I have 2 cats. For that purpose, it has done well -- the cats have tried to claw the sides, but haven't really gotten much purchase. You can't tell at all unless you bend down and look at the side. But the microfiber seems to stain so easily (have a dog too) and nothing seems to get the dirt out. It doesn't help that it's cream-colored... But my small little house is light and soothing, with tile floor the color of sand, very pale blue walls with white trim, and "beachy" accents. Some dark loveseat (not enough room for a sofa) would stick out like a sore thumb.

I'm thinking of leather this time... something that wouldn't stain, that would be cool for our 10 months of summer, and that would hold up. But how do cats react to leather furniture?? I hated leather up until now -- it's always brown or black, it seems -- but saw a piece at the Ashley website that I just fell in love with. It's a pale oyster grey, just perfect. I'm waiting for someone to call me back with a price.

I just have no clue how well cats & leather furniture go together... Or what to look for to know I'm not getting something that will disintegrate in a couple years. For reference, this is the piece I'm looking at:

http://www.ashleyfurniturehomestore...spx?group=&category=&id=9960035&ref=product-t

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!!

I have to say we have had bad luck with Ashley furniture! We had a couch and loveseat set for two years that were from there (and they weren't the cheapest they sold either) and they were BEAT down when we got rid of them! I have a Hendredon now (which are CRAZY expensive, but we got it used) and it still looks brand new!
Our bedroom set is from Ashley as well (we bought it when we bought the couches) and it's also showing a lot of wear.
I won't skimp on furniture anymore! I'd rather spend 3,000 or 4,000 once than 1,000 every two years!

 

[Gina]

I love you guys! Just the kind of insight I needed. I sure loved that pretty grey leather... But I'm not spending $800 on something that my cats will destroy. The microfiber really did hold up amazingly well in that regard. You should have seen the regular upholstery loveseat they shredded before this current one. My mistake was not having it treated to prevent stains, which I will definitely do next time!!

The steaming and sewing is a good idea, except that the tears are in such a high-tension place, I can't imagine how it could be sewed. I'm really disappointed it came apart like it did... we must flop down too hard on it or something.

Question for those who have stain-guarded microfiber -- When there is a stain, what do you have to do to get it out?

Thanks again for all y'alls input -- It helps tremendously!!

 

[lsyorke]

I had leather for years with a cat. She was on it all the time, but never did any damage.

 

[badblackpug]

I have been able to wipe everything up with a damp cloth. Soda, blood, vomit, pee (I have 4 kids and 2 dogs lol ) and, today, melted butter.

 

[Kimberly]

I like it, but not the grey colour. Depends on the room you're putting it in though, and how it goes with the table, floors, and walls.

 

[PrincessRosetta]

i like the one in the link.