Active young families with kids and fur babies need a place to relax…and everything else! Like any living space, a sofa is often the center of family gatherings, whether it’s a place to talk amongst one selves, entertain guests or lounge during family movie night. While there are certain rules that young—and accident prone—families may wish to follow when selecting their ideal sofa (no white linen sofas is a good rule of thumb!), it doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice on style.

Comfort is key

One of the first things to consider when purchasing a sofa is how it will be used. For active, young families, this may include heavy use from relaxing, snuggling, story time and more. Choose a couch that fits your family’s seating requirements, comfort preferences and the size of the room. If you have a large room, you may opt for a sectional that fits the layout of your space, and your family’s relaxation needs.

Material matters

Kid- and pet-friendly fabric is a must for many active young families, and one of the best sofa upholstery materials for this reason is one made of performance fabric. Stain-resistant and relatively easy to clean, performance fabric comes in many different styles. From suede-like to more textured, performance-fabric sofas are an ideal fit for many young families, ranging in style from traditional to modern. Another option for some families is leather, which will far outwear any other fabric. For a look similar to leather, a lower price point and good resistance to stains and other wear, consider a leather-like sofa designed for comfort and easy maintenance.

Consider color and patterns

Spills are inevitable. And while an easy-to-clean material is a must, the sofa is bound to show some wear and tear after years of use and abuse by kids, pets and more. By choosing a colored sofa, and perhaps even one with a pattern and textured material, the everyday wear is harder to spot, and your sofa life may just be elongated. Worried about your bright and patterned sofa complementing your existing decor? Read our Mixing and Matching Guide.

The little things

There are many small things that determine a sofa’s style, as well as it’s functionality for you. If you are more worried about spills, you may choose a sofa with removable pillows for ease of cleaning, fluffing and the ability to turn a pillow over if the stain can’t be completely removed. You know what works for your family, and can select a sofa that will not only add style and comfort to your room, but also hold up over time.

Once you’ve chosen the right sofa shape and size, material and extras, you are set for endless evenings of comfort and relaxation with your loved ones. Sit back and enjoy!

Looking for more tips on how to choose a sofa that best fits in your living room? Read our Living Room Design Guide.