Looking for some sofa advice

[Suzanne & Jack]

Need some advice on a new sofa.  To give some background, I have 3 relatively non-shedding dogs.  They don't chew or destroy furniture.  We are in the process of shopping for new family room furniture.  We currently have a sectional that is covered in denim, which is nice since we can take the covers off and wash them.  My DH is OCD and has severe allergies so he is always complaining about the sofa having dander on it (it does not).  He keeps towels on it where the dogs lay.  I am debating on leather or a slipcover fabric.  Also a full sectional or one with just a chaise at one end.  I thought the leather would be easier to keep clean and would eliminate the need for towels.  Our family room is about 16x16, but the ceiling is low (add on to an older home) and it has knotty pine panelling on one wall.  Any input would be appreciated

[Bonnie and Kona]

We love having leather with dogs. We've had it for over 15 years in the family room and I don't think I could go back to fabric. 

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

We have a leather sofa, and it's the only piece of furniture Cosmo is allowed on. I knew before we got Cosmo that, when we got a dog, he would be allowed on the sofa--I just never dreamed how much easier the leather makes it!

I have allergies, too, and I feel better with the leather sofa. (Now, if I can just get rid of the carpet!)

We have only one dog and a three-seater sofa. It can be a tight fit with Cosmo, DH, and me. For three dogs, I'd say a full sectional, if the humans ever want to sit on the sofa!

[Christine & Camus]

My plan is to get a leather sofa.  I currently have a slipcover sofa, but it needs to be replaced.  I have friends with a dog and 3 kids - they have 2 leather couches in their family room that look beautiful after 4 years of daily use. And, I am really tired of washing the slipcover.

My question is what colors work best.  I really want white, but I think that may not be the best choice.

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

We have two dogs and have leather. It's been great. The sofa/love seat are a dark taupe. They don't show dirt but the color works well with other colors (earth tones) in the house.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

We have light distressed (older than dirt) leather furniture in our den, really dark brown almost black leather in our Bonus/play/tv room and upholstery/fabric in our living room. The only furniture I DON'T want them on is the fabric. That is one of the only places the kitty can get away from them though and cleaning cat hair off of it is a chore. I say leather is a good choice. I also think it would look nice with the knotty pine.

[Katie and Sophie]

I love our leather.  I couldn't go back to fabric now.  

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

We have leather. Aesthetic wise, I hate them and have always wanted a white fabric sm L shaped couch. But boy am I happy on those days the pups run in together with muddy feet and jump on to the couch! Just a wipe and so easy! Now the floors is a different story!

[Suzanne & Jack]

I'm leaning toward the leather. I want to find one that is deep enough in the seating for the dogs. Forunately I only need seating for myself and two large dogs. DH never sits in the family room

[Jennifer and Jack]

I have a leather sofa with leather on one side, fabric on the other..all the cushions are like that. The only thing is the nails can scratch the leather...at least mine.

Jack sleeps in my arms with me at night, he doesn't shed. I have severe breathing problems and I would love to one day get rid of all carpet and most of the fabric stuff however nice it is just Jack and I he is more welcome on the furniture then anyone! Lol

[Bob Johnston]

If you do happen to get rid of the carpet you can replace it with http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/s/laminate-vinyl-flooring/vinyl...

now some people might go eww vinyl but this stuff is indestructible. It doesnt scratch like hard wood no warping from the random accident or spill. and comes in a floating tabbed or glue down instalation. I waited until it was on sale and got it for 86 cents a sqaure foot. You cant even get carpet padding that cheap. I went with the dark cherry/walnut color it even has a wood grain texture.

[Bob Johnston]

we went with an awesome dark blue corduroy sectional the first time. it was so comfy and cool looking. then the dogs jumped up on it and thier nails went right threw the cords. So our next one we got is a microfiber. we have had it since 2004 and other then being a little sun faded looks almost new no ripes or anything and luna licks every inch of it daily. We do use a king size quilt to cover it from the wondering puppy teeth but other then that it has been pretty easy to keep it new looking.

[Lynda Kamrath]

We always go with leather.  All our furniture is leather and the interior of our cars also.  It is just so much easier to keep clean.  We get leather cleaner at the auto supply store and use it on all the surfaces.  As long as we share our homes and cars with dogs, it will be leather for us.  After the leather cleaner, use leather conditioner to keep it looking good.