Five
Ways to Choose Upholstery That Will Stand Up to Even
Your Kids!
©
Pamela Cole Harris
Is
your family room a place where everyone can be comfortable?
Or are you constantly worrying about the possibility
of stains on sofas or chairs? Is your living room
furniture "off limits" to all but adults because you
are worried that having children within twenty feet
of it will cause it to fray, pill, or wrinkle? Well,
my advice is to "Lighten up!" and go shopping for
slipcovers! Or if you are buying new furniture, find
pieces upholstered in "kid-friendly" fabrics. Here
are five easy ways to make certain your new upholstery
is suitable for every member of the family!
1.
Fabrics with a higher thread count (the number of
threads per square inch) and a tighter weave are more
durable that those with looser weaves. They will stand
up the hard abuse that your family dishes out!
2.
Fabrics made of natural fibers will absorb stains
more quickly than man-made fabrics, but they will
clean up better. Fabrics made with man-made fibers
are soil-resistant but don't clean up as well (those
Kool-aid stains may be difficult to remove!)
3.
Highly-textured fabrics, such as tweeds, can fray
easily when they get excessive use. The fabrics which
stand up best to fraying are flat weaves such as cottons
or jacquards.
4.
Light colors show soil, while dark colors show debris
and dirt. Why not try a medium color with a pattern?
Patterns can hide a multitude of forgotten chocolate
chips!
5.
Buy washable slipcovers for whatever sofa you chose.
It will extend the wear of the sofa and chair and
help you relax! If something gets spilled, just throw
the slipcover in the washing machine and refit it
on the sofa while it is still slightly damp.
After
you bring that spiffy new sofa or chair home, remember
to rotate the cushions every month and vacuum them
regularly.
Doing
so will prolong the life of the sofa. Maybe it will
even last until the kids leave home!
Pamela
Cole Harris is an editor, writer, mom and eco-decorator
with 35 years experience. Visit her website,
http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com,
for a free newsletter with remodeling, home improvement
and decorating ideas for the financially challenged
and creatively deficient. Or visit
http://www.all-homeandgarden.com for
advice on kid-friendly homes and casual decorating! |
