Micro-suede = tacky?

[Anonymous]

We are in the market for new living room furniture (but we don't have a separate family room, so company would also use this room), and it seems like micro-suede and leather are the most durable. We don't want to get leather. We have a toddler and plan to have another. A couple questions.

1. Is micro-suede tacky? I haven't seen that any of our friends have micro-suede furniture.
2. Do you think we can just get a regular fabric couch in a neutral color and that would be sufficient?

We are looking to buy something of fairly decent quality, so I don't want it ruined the first week. On the other hand, we will be spending a good chunk, so I want to buy something we actually like.

[Anonymous]

I love micro-suede and if it is tacky, I don't care! It's soft, easy to clean....fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Ditto PP. If loving a comfortable, practical, durable fabric is wrong, I don't wanna be right!

[Anonymous]

Tacky? Never heard that. We have microsuede, and the thing I really don't like about it is that it is static-y. I think it looks nice though.

[Anonymous]

It got to be tiring to look at, and i did not find it easy to clean, but not impossible. My kids with greasy foods made things bad.

[Anonymous]

When we were shopping for furniture, we went for comfortable and long-lasting. I don't find leather comfortable, and I know that canvas and velvet are not durable. Friend of mine had a canvas sofa, and it looked like hell after about two years, what with the fading and uneven wear.

We're on year seven with our microsuede sofa (three years before kids, four years since) and it looks pretty much like new. We also picked a very neutral color (probably called "mushroom") which doesn't show grime.

Finally, I think nothing will wear well if you allow kids to bring food/beverages into the living room. If that's your thing, go for slipcovers.

[Anonymous]

Stop
Effing
Worrying
That
Everything's
Tacky
!!!

It's your gd house. If you like it, buy it. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop
Effing
Worrying
That
Everything's
Tacky
!!!

It's your gd house. If you like it, buy it. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

I agree!

And FWIW, I like microsuede. It's what we're doing when we replace our sectional in a few months. Neutral and practical!

[Anonymous]

We have a mushroom/taupe/coffee/whateverthehellcoloritis microsuede sofa in the family room. We have 2 kids (6 and 11) and the sofa is 8 yrs old. The kids have eaten on it. Peed on it. Spilled on it. (so have we, frankly--well, not peed on it). We had it "stain guarded". It does not look like new, but it looks pretty darn good. Whenever I mention that I want to get a new one (just because I'm bored with it), friends always ask "why?".

Go for microsuede. Not cold in winter. Easy to maintain. I love leather (we have 2 others in leather), but this is comfier and more cozy.

[Anonymous]

It's not very design-oriented, but if that's not important for you, go for it! It's definitely practical. I personally don't love it when people have a room full of matching microsuede furniture, but don't think it's tack per se, just not my style. We have a Room & Board sofa (linen/cotton) that has held up great to wear + tear.

[Anonymous]

We had one for years and it was great - very soft and durable (2 kids + dog). We ultimately went with leather to replace it because our other leather pieces have actually lasted longer. The microfiber sofa was starting to look worn out - too many cleanings I think. We rubbed away the surface. But it looked great right up until that last part.

But now I can't personally stand to look at it. Especially the cheap-looking ones. But I appreciate why people buy them.

[Anonymous]

I think it is tacky looking.

[Anonymous]

Well, I think microsuede is a little dated, but you know your family's needs.

On the other hand, keeping food, beverages, and arts/ crafts activities out of the living room will dramatically extend the life of any textiles you choose.

[Anonymous]

For people who think it is tacky, what's in your living room? Can you afford to replace your furniture every five years? I wonder if this is a manufactured bias, meant to belittle people who needs to get longer life out of their purchases.

[Anonymous]

We have dark microsuede in our family room (sectional, no matching chair) and it is great. Hint from our sales guy: stash a dish towel under a cushion so that you can grab it quickly when something spills.

In our living room we have dark brocade-like fabric on the sofas. We picked it to be tolerant of black dog furs and red wine, plus kids. And it is a commercial grade fabric that is very wear-resistant. If you are afraid that microsuede is to casual, look for something like that instead.

And I second the recommendation to just not allow eating or drinking on the couch by the under 10 set, except for water. It is supposedly healthier to only eat at the dining or kitchen table anyhow.