Messes are a part of life. When you have kids and pets, those messes seem to pop up out of nowhere all the time. This can really make it difficult to keep the home tidy and looking the way you want. While a certain degree of messiness should be expected when raising children or opening your home to pets, there are ways to cut down on it and protect your furniture in the long run. Below, we’ll go over some tips to help get you started.

1. Be Mindful of Furniture Material

A great way to be proactive about furniture protection is to opt for materials that are stain-resistant and easy to clean. This is especially true for pieces that will see a lot of use, such as the living room couch. Although style and color may be your priority while shopping, when it comes time to buy living room furniture, make sure to consider your choice in upholstery and how well it might stay looking its best.

For many, opting for microfiber is easiest as it’s extremely durable, doesn’t hold smells and is resistant to most damage. Plus, it comes in all patterns and colors to match with the rest of the décor. There is also leather for a more luxurious look. Also durable, leather is frequently a go-to option as spills and pet hair can easily be wiped away with a damp cloth. Of course, if you have cats or dogs that love to cuddle on the couch, you may want to steer clear of leather as their claws could definitely leave a mark.

2. Invest in Attractive Covers

Another route is to safeguard the furniture with child-proof or pet-resistant covers. Modern removable covers come in many fashionable designs that are not only great for warding off stains and spots, but they’re comfortable and look good without coming off as too old-fashioned. 

Furthermore, many slipcovers nowadays are conveniently machine washable — making it easy to give your living room a fresh, clean feeling whenever you have time for a load. Laying out designated “dog blankets” and other soft coverings can also do wonders in preventing pet hair from becoming enmeshed in your sofa.

3. Create Pet- or Child-Free Zones

If you invested in nice furniture before the kids or pets were in the picture, it may be best to store such pieces in a room that’s off limits. To do this, it helps to establish zones in the house that are not accessible by setting boundaries or closing doors. Just like little ones and animals shouldn’t be in the garage around sharp tools and toxic chemicals, these rooms should be separate from their usual living spaces.

Along the same lines is designating areas that are OK to get messy. Whether it’s a mud room where everyone can kick off their dirty shoes or a playroom where toys may be spread from one wall to the other, creating a place for mess helps keep it from getting where it doesn’t belong.

4. Provide Alternative Furnishings

Lastly, one way to help maintain the appearance of certain furniture is to set up other comfy spots. Although this solution won’t work all the time, having a nice orthopedic bed for the family dog or a kid-sized recliner next to yours is a simple solution to keeping pet hair, food crumbs and sticky stuff off the furniture.

As our homes are meant to be lived in, they’re naturally going to look as such. As you continue your search for ways to maintain your home’s appearance, bear in mind that messiness and accidents happen. What matters is enjoying the time spent at home with our little ones and furry friends as well as the memories made along the way.

Author bio: Troy Simmons is General Manager at Bel Furniture, a leading furniture and mattress retailer. Simmons is a local Texan who has over 20 years of experience in the furniture business.