What sofas when you have a baby/young child?

[workingtitle]

We are moving into our new house next week and need to find two medium size sofas. We're about to have our first child and we'd usually look for something quite smart but I don't want to regret spending a lot on sofas that will be covered in stains before we know it (will they?!).
Is it best to just buy a couple of cheap sofas, and if so where do I get them? Ikea? DFS? Any kind of sofa particularly good? All suggestions gratefully received!

[nailslikeknives]

Go leather for the wipe clean factor! Ours have survived 3 years of small children so far.

[workingtitle]

Thank you, nailslikeknives - any suggestions on where from? We'd want them to be different so maybe one leather one fabric.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Try sofasofa - were on our second set from them. Their leather is excellent quality and they can scotch guard fabric. Something for everyone and great value.

They're mail order only, but delivery is about 6 weeks and they're really comfy.

We got a fabric four seater and a three seater plus a storage footstool for £1100 iirc

[AngryFeet]

Looking back I would go for fucking cheap wipeable ones. I love our sofas but they are buggered from 5 years of kids spilling drinks, food and occasionally having accidents on them during potty training.

My DC are now 6 and 8 and I will be getting new sofas as soon as we move next month!

[superbadspeller]

Not leather!! You will spend your days wiping them down and noticing stains on the sides the front the arms bloody everywhere i mean seriously the toddler eats at his table so how do yogurt and bean sauce end up splattered??!

We've got a light fabric one just now but tbh the darker it is the better - baby wipes kept nearby too not all stains are as noticeable and you won't spend half your day gawking at the couch going ''ah come on i've just cleaned there!'' voice of bitter bitter experience

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I would go for a mid-price fabric sofa with removable covers.

We bought ours from DFS 5 years ago, just before we had DS1 and it has done really well.

We also have a cheap pleather one from Ikea which is even older and is still going strong.

The fabric one is lovely and comfy and soft and warm, which is ideal with you are sitting holding a sleeping baby, or with tired/poorly toddlers and preschoolers.
I think leather/pleather ones are so cold, you don't want to snuggle on it when you're unwell do you!

[workingtitle]

Thank you so much for the replies--really helpful. I like the idea of one snuggly one. We found a leather one last night on sale at darlings of Chelsea that we like, and now I think we'll look for a fabric one with loose covers as the second.
Am steeling myself for years of wiping, whatever we get! Never thought I'd have a throw on the sofa but maybe now is the time.
Thanks again

[wonkylegs]

Funnily enough we have a white/cream fabric sofa from Multiyork that's lasted brilliantly which we bought prior to having our now 5yo DS.
Scotguarded covers work well combined with Vanish upholstery cleaner & the fact that you can wash the covers.
It's even had me have a major bleed on it when I was pregnant with DS (think something out of a horror movie) of which there is no trace of now. It is still it's original colour with no stains despite having juice/wine/coffee/chocolate/chilli etc split on it at one time or another.
Main problem is DH eating his dinner in front of the tv & guests and wine. DS eats at the table.
Having said that we are getting a cheap Ikea one with removable covers for DSs new playroom.... Mainly because multiyork although fab was serious ££££

[BikeRunSki]

Not cheap! You will spend a lot of time sitting on the sofa feeding the baby and snoozing during the day with a young baby!

[workingtitle]

Wonkylegs, thanks for the recommendation. We have a mulityork shop close by and I think it has a whole floor of discounted sofas, so that can be top of the list to visit today.

[workingtitle]

Just to update- went to multiyork today and bought two sofas, one in the clearance section as a cancelled order and one in the sale - both loose cover and scotch guarded, 1700 all in. Very happy! Thank all

[nailslikeknives]

At steeling yourself for years of wiping!
We got lazyboys from scs. One reclining, one static. Love them.
Sounds like you're eying up something lovely.