Sticky fingers. Spilled juice. Mystery smudges.
If you’re designing a home for a growing family, durability matters just as much as style — maybe more. And yet, most “kid-friendly” advice stops at washable slipcovers or outdoor fabric.
At DIG, we go deeper. Here’s a comprehensive, room-by-room checklist of fabrics and finishes that hold up to real life — without looking like you gave up.
✅ Upholstery & Soft Surfaces
✓ Performance Fabrics (Crypton, Sunbrella, Revolution)
- Stain-resistant, moisture-repellent, and durable
- Ideal for sofas, chairs, and ottomans
✓ Faux Leather or Vegan Leather
- Easy to wipe clean
- Adds sophistication without being precious
✓ Bouclé? Proceed with Caution
- Gorgeous texture, but not always easy to clean. If you love it, use on accents, not the family sofa.
✓ Machine-Washable Slipcovers
- Great for high-use furniture in playrooms or casual living spaces
✅ Flooring & Rugs
✓ Low-Pile Rugs with Pattern
- Hides messes and vacuum easily
- Natural materials like wool are resilient and self-cleaning
✓ Washable Area Rugs
- Look for brands offering full-size, machine-washable options
- Great under dining tables or in bedrooms
✓ Engineered Wood with Durable Finish
- Gives the warmth of wood with better scratch resistance
✓ Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
- Waterproof, soft underfoot, and nearly indestructible
✅ Paints & Wall Finishes
✓ Satin or Eggshell Finishes
- Easier to wipe down than matte
- Still low-sheen enough to avoid glare
✓ Scrubbable Paint Formulas
- Look for paint lines labeled as “washable” or “scrubbable” — not all finishes are created equal
✓ Wainscoting or Wall Panels
- Protects walls in high-touch areas like hallways or playrooms
✅ Hard Furniture & Built-Ins
✓ Rounded Corners
- On coffee tables, dining chairs, and open shelving
- Prevents bumps and bruises
✓ Durable Finishes (Powder-Coated Metal, High-Density Laminate)
- Less prone to scratching and denting
- Perfect for table legs, drawer fronts, and built-in cubbies
✓ No Glass Table Tops
- Skip the smudges (and stress) — opt for wood, stone, or composite instead
✅ Bonus Features That Go the Extra Mile
- Indoor/outdoor poufs – double as extra seating and toy bins
- Stain-resistant drapery fabrics – yes, they exist
- Easy-clean grout – darker or epoxy grout resists staining in kitchens and baths
- Antimicrobial finishes – useful in high-touch areas like cabinet pulls and faucets
At DIG, Design Is Built for Life
We believe good design should support how your family actually lives — not how you hope your kids will behave someday.
That means choosing materials that clean easily, hold up beautifully, and let you say “yes” more often than “careful!”
With the right selections, your home can be both sophisticated and spill-proof.
