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What makes a couch kid-friendly? When you’re in the market for new furniture and have little ones at home, there are a few factors to keep in mind. The best kid-friendly couches and furniture need to be durable, practical, stylish, and easy-to-maintain. It’s a tall task to find a couch that can withstand the tests of time, children, stains, and general wear-and-tear.

After all, who wants to worry about cleaning a couch covered in crumbs or markers when they could be soaking up snuggles during family movie night? The right family-approved furniture is just as easy to take care of as it is to lounge on.

So, what should you focus on when shopping for a kid-friendly couch? Let’s see how the considerations stack up.

Durability

Two children jumping on a Blueridge Nugget

The perfect kid-friendly couch should be durable enough to keep up with your child as they grow, from those messy early months through school years to come. What starts as the perfect spot for cuddling, pulling up, and cruising turns into prime real estate for fort-building and bouncing in only a couple of years.

When it comes to durability, there are a few things that come to mind when choosing furniture, specifically the upholstery material and construction. Parents and caregivers should look for a soft fabric that is durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean (aka play-friendly.)

For example, foam is a substantial, yet lightweight material, and microsuede fabric is super durable, both able to withstand the activity of a busy family without breaking down or tearing. Compared to traditional sofas, foam sofas are the top choice for those aiming to prioritize durability in a house with kids. 

Easy-To-Clean

A child builds a fort around a dog sitting on the Sandcastle Nugget

The next aspect to consider when shopping for kid-friendly couches is cleanability. Find a couch that lets kids be kids without worrying about stains or spills. From snacktime causing a cascade of crumbs to mischievous markers making their way from the craft supplies, there are endless ways to make a mess in the midst of play.

The right kid-friendly couch should be easily cleaned and maintained. A few key features that make furniture playtime-proof include:

  • Family and pet-friendly fabric that resists stains, pet hair, dirt, mud, scratches, and spills
  • Zip-off, removable covers that are machine washable
  • Availability of extra liners for even more thorough spill protection 

Be sure to read the care and cleaning information for your particular couch. Choosing an upholstered item from a reputable company means they will provide cleaning information to help keep your couch in good condition. 

Affordability

A family sits on a Brightside Nugget reading a book

The best kid-friendly couches offer a high value for any family, budget, and living space. Families shouldn’t have to spend a fortune to find a couch that will last multiple years and stages of their children’s lives. 

Affordability can often be tricky for families needing furniture that looks stylish, keeps up with growing kids, and lasts the test of time. Kid-friendly couches with consistent pricing all year round means you’ll avoid surges in pricing around the holidays or premium pricing when inventory is scarce. Instead of waiting around for sales and discount codes, families deserve plenty of affordable, accessible options whenever they’re ready to make a purchase. 

Fun-ability: The Most Important Aspect of a Kid-Friendly Couch

Three children peek out from a Nugget castle comprised of a Blackbeard, Neptune, Brightside, and Atlantis Nugget

Okay, we know that “fun-ability” isn’t actually a word or an official furniture feature. But we think that needs to change – a kid’s couch should be fun! The real thing that makes a kid-friendly couch well, kid-friendly, is that it inspires play and is a joy to use

Kids never stop moving: they want to be able to lounge, sit, stand, jump, twirl, and roll… all in the span of five minutes. Finding a kid-friendly couch that not only endures non-stop movement, but celebrates and encourages it? That’s pure playtime magic. 

Furniture comes alive when you’re a kid – bold patterns and bright throw pillows create entire scenes. Let your and your children’s imaginations run wild at home, where you can pretend you’re climbing a mountain, sailing a pirate ship, or flying a rocket ship, all without leaving the couch.

More Things To Consider To Maximize Your Purchase of a Kid’s Couch

A Koala Nugget under the window in a neutral living room

Your new family couch needs to feel like a good choice that serves your space for years to come. You want to make sure you invest in a piece of furniture that grows with your children and your own style, even if that changes from year-to-year.  

Extra Covers To Switch Up Your Look

Families don’t have to sacrifice the style of their home in order to find kid-friendly furniture. If you are changing the layout and style of your playroom, living room, or kid’s bedroom, switch up your couch style with cushion covers in rich hues, fun patterns, and even family-favorite characters. Changing the cover on a couch gives you endless options for room refreshes instead of having to commit to a boring beige or forgettable gray when you make your purchase. 

Company Ethics

Although parents, caregivers, and homeowners may not initially consider this when buying furniture, company ethics and values are a great way to determine if a brand is worth you investing in their products. 

It is possible to find kid-friendly furniture options while supporting reputable and trustworthy corporations. 

Shoppers should look for couches that are made with care and shipped almost immediately after being ordered, not sitting on shelves for weeks (or years) collecting dust. You can even go the extra mile to support companies with employee-friendly policies like paid health insurance coverage and fair and equitable wages. Another factor to consider when choosing a product to invest in is community involvement, to understand the impact of spending money with a particular brand.

Choosing the Right Couch

A family plays on a Neptune Nugget in their living room

The right kid-friendly couch is the center of the living room, and your family deserves one that looks great and lasts for years. Instead of stressing over the thought of spills or compromising your interior style, choose a couch that’s easy to clean, durable, and grows with your family. 

Nugget is The Original Play Couch™, proudly assembled in North Carolina and crafted with high-quality materials to encourage years of play. Find just the right color for your space and see what 25,000+ reviews have to say about our top-rated kid-friendly couch.