Where to begin? Well, for starters, it's smart to look for sofas with "removable and cleanable covers for customers with children and pets," Kimberly Kronberger, Home Furnishing Business Leader for Living Room Seating at Ikea US, tells PS. "Not only can you remove and clean these covers, but you can also replace them if you ever need to, which is a much more cost-conscious option than replacing an entire sofa due to dirt or stains."

Another rule of thumb is to choose performance fabrics when they're available. "These days, so many furniture brands offer beautiful performance velvets and flat weaves that resist snags, spills, and stains, and they can truly last for years," says Shelby Girard, VP of Creative & Design at Havenly. "Look for fabrics with high rub and thread counts—the higher the count, the more durable the fabric. And for those with active kids and pets, I'd stay away from nubby fabrics like bouclé (they tend to snag) or true linen (it's easy to stain). designing a sofa

Kronberger makes a good point, noting that whether or not a sofa is "quality" ultimately "depends on what's important to you." Here are some guidelines to consider, according to the interior expert: "Do you have pets or children? If so, a sofa with a removable cover may be your best bet, so you have the option to remove the cover and clean it as often as you need. If you are pressed for space in your home, a sofa with built-in storage might be right for you. Or if you live in a space where your living area may need to double for sleep – a sofa bed may be a good idea. Ergonomics are very important when choosing your sofa – If you like a relaxed position, go for a low, deep seat. A higher, narrower seat favors an upright position, while a high backrest supports your neck and shoulders."

Another great tip? "The right sofa should always reflect how you live (or plan to live) in that space," says Girard. For example: "If you're in a TV room, a big, cushy sectional is comfortable enough for the whole family to curl up on. For more elegant living spaces and sitting rooms, your sofa might have more of an upright seat so guests can easily lean in for conversation or grab their drink. If your sofa is in a light-filled space, keep in mind that sunlight can cause darker colors to fade over time. In that case, choose a performance fabric that's more resistant to fading." Ultimately, choosing a quality sofa comes down to how you live and your personal preferences.

Obviously, dimensions are your friend, and thankfully, brands are generally really good at giving you the exact dimensions so you can find a sofa or sectional with the ideal width, height, and depth, for your space. Keep in mind, though, that it's not just about whether or not it will fit but if it will fit comfortably. "It's all about scale — too big, and your sofa overwhelms the whole room, too small, and there's no room to sit," says Girard. "If you're short on square footage, look for sofas and loveseats with slim proportions and shallower seat depths. For large spaces, play around with a large sectional or a pair of sofas to help anchor the space. In the case of tricky room layouts that require a sized-just-right sofa, go custom! You may have to wait longer, but you can choose the exact length, width, and depth you need.

Oh, and a tip that both Girard and Kronberger were quick to point out is that you need to measure your doorways and stairwells as well to make sure you can even get your sofa into the apartment. "It's an easily avoidable mistake I see made way too often," says the Havenly pro. Keep reading to see the choices we gathered based on Kronberger and Girard's advice and extensive market research. Keep reading ahead to meet your match.

Honbay Convertible Sectional Sofa Couch ($300, originally $500)

This sofa is an Amazon favorite praised for its convertible design and ability to stand up to cats and dogs. How it works is that the ottoman is removable, which means you can easily convert it into a right or left-facing sectional or a three-seat sofa with a chaise. Explore more couches from Amazon via our curated guide.

This sofa features removable covers that you can easily throw in the wash or replace, just like Kronberger recommended. Despite its lower price tag than the majority of options, shoppers say it's durable and that the thick cover holds up well in the washing machine. "We've already washed it three times," writes a reviewer. "Once to get the wrinkles out when we unboxed it, then a guest spilled red wine, then our cat was sick on it. Just wash and air dry."

Rivet Revolve Modern Upholstered Loveseat ($741)

This sofa has a nearly perfect five-star rating on Amazon and hundreds of reviewers. It features simple lines, square armrests, and tapered legs for an overall look that's minimalist yet modern.

West Elm Remi 3-Piece Sofa ($1,598-$3,047)

This sofa is not only super chic and modern, but the low profile silhouette makes it easy for dogs with short legs to access. True to West Elm's style, you can customize it a zillion different ways. We recommend opting for a performance fabric that's stain-resistant and highly durable that's made of a tight weave, like twill, canvas, or linen. Check out more couches from West Elm at our curated guide.

Albany Park Barton Sofa ($1,445, originally $2,065)

This sofa has a low-profile silhouette, so if you love when your furry friends hop up to lay with you, this will make cuddling time that much easier for them. The couch is offered in pet-friendly and stain-resistant fabrics, with either black, natural oak, or walnut legs, and the ultra-plush seats are comfortable, but firm enough to be supportive. Overall, this sofa is big on value, as there are plenty of other designs that look and feel the same for a much higher price.

Explore more specs in our Albany Park Barton Sofa review.

Sabai Design The Essential Sectional ($1,995)

This sofa isn't just photogenic but also crafted from sustainable materials, which the brand outlines in detail on its product page (A FSC-certified wood frame! 100 percent recycled fiber fill pillows! Etc!). Keeping with this ethics-first philosophy, the brand sells replacement components so you can repair it rather than replace it (in case your furry friends cause destruction). For more, read our complete review of the Sabai Design The Essential Sectional.

Joybird Braxton Sleeper Sofa ($2,188-$2,552)

You can outfit this sleeper sofa in so many different pet-friendly fabrics — 50, to be exact. (The brand has a section on its website outlining the differences between each fabric if you're interested.) Believe it or not, the chic style pulls out to a comfy memory foam mattress for guests.

See what other Joybird couches we love via our complete guide.

Burrow Block Nomad Sofa Sectional ($2,198)

This sectional fits three people minimum (plus at least one or two four-legged friends). The chaise is reversible, so you can put it on the other side of the sofa, or even in the middle if you're feeling experimental. Plus, it features a built-in USB charger & 72" power cord to power up your device while you binge-watch Netflix.

Explore more couches from Burrow with our curated guide.

A deep dive into a few Reddit threads made it crystal clear that this sectional is a fan favorite among pet owners. Shoppers recommend the corded velvet fabric for pets. One Redditor wrote: "I have four cats and two dogs. I have the corded velvet. I've had my sactional for over a year and it still looks new despite my cats occasionally scratching the sides. It's easy to get fur off too."

— Additional reporting by Kyley Warren

Marisa Petrarca (she/her) is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has more than five years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, and InStyle, among others.

filling sofa Kyley Warren (she/her) is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.