9 Smart Kid- and Pet-Friendly Fabric Tips

Packed with saturated shades of coral and green, this light and bright family room features neutral, kid-friendly upholstery. For a wise investment in furniture fabric, consider pieces that work with a wide variety of color schemes.

When choosing a sofa for your family room, consider both cushion styles and configurations. Sofas with loose-back seat cushions allow you to simply unzip the covers and toss them in the wash; however, these cushions will lose their structure more quickly than those with fixed backs. Homes with more active kids and pets may opt for sofas with fixed backs since they're less likely to be regularly used. In most cases, though, removable seat cushions are always the most ideal choice for young families since they can be washed or flipped over in the event of an accident.

Interior designers suggest keeping all major upholstery pieces neutral, from sofas to armchairs to custom rugs. When staple pieces are neutral, stains or spills are less likely to show. An excellent color alternative to beige or tan is greige — a mix of beige and light gray.

When you're looking to add color to a high-traffic room, consider using it in a temporary way. Although this family room uses coral on the walls and window treatments, the main furnishings are neutral. To tie in the dominant color with the furniture, add throw pillows in saturated corals and pinks.