fabric or faux leather?

I am looking to buy a couple of inexpensive ottomans/benches to put in the large picture windows of my formal dining room, which is transitional in style. Right now the cats are sitting on a couple of the dining chairs in the windows and I would like to reclaim them. I don't want cat trees b/c it is the dining room.

Vinyl or fabric? Of course cat hair being the issue. These are the two styles I am looking at:

http://www.target.com/p/double-storage-ottoman-bench-espresso/-/A-10320236#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

http://www.target.com/p/square-mid-...ngbone-tan/-/A-14084389#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

I would love your opinions/input.

THX!!!

The faux leather would be easier to keep clean, and you could put towels or baby/pet blankets folded on top if they didn't like the texture.

I'd pick the fabric one, only because in my experience vinyl doesn't wear well at all. After any damage, even just a few claw marks from a kitty stretch, and just with regular wear, it looks bad/worn really quickly.

I agree on fabric.
Also keep in mind you Can buy cat trees that simply look like bookshelves and wooden furniture, so your dining room will still look beautiful. :-)

Fabric for sure! I will take pictures of what is left of my leather ottoman.

No matter which one you get, this guy would like to come over and "visit".

Fozzy the Destroyer (of both faux leathers AND fabrics):

Sorry it has taken me a day or 2 to put these up as I said I would.

I will start by saying they have scratching posts and they thankfully do not use my main furniture for a scratching post. I bought this ottoman knowing I would have to replace it every now and then and to be honest if it keeps them from my couch and other furniture the sacrificial ottoman is worth it. I have had this one about a year now and while it doesn't look great if I spin it around the 2 other corners are fine

SwampWitch said:

I'd pick the fabric one, only because in my experience vinyl doesn't wear well at all. After any damage, even just a few claw marks from a kitty stretch, and just with regular wear, it looks bad/worn really quickly.

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Yeah that. Had a fake leather couch in Japan. Didn't work too well with the claws. Leaves puncture marks. Fabric better IMO.

 OMG he is beautiful! Look at that mane!

Keycube, where have you been?  For some reason, I think of you when I see the movie "Office Space." 

In answer to the OP, fabric.  I love the color of the faux leather, but I am afraid it would not hold up to rigorous kitty standards.

Ok, I'll tell you what I did with my dining room window, because I used to do the exact thing as you...use my dining room chair for the furkids.

I MADE a bench for them to sit on that is the exact size for under the window.  Went on the internet and ordered coffee table legs that almost matched my dining room table legs, then topped them with a piece of plywood, then topped that with a 4" strip of foam covered in fabric that matches my valance, only because I had some left over from when I made it years ago.  But you could use ANY non-nubby fabric.  I made this entire thing 10 inches wide.  If you like, I can take a picture of it later, but right now I must go...almost late for an appt

OK, I'm finally back with some pictures of the table I built for my window:


I still need to stain it, but am not in a hurry, because the cat's are usually on it (so it may never get done
here you can see how we attached the legs to the top...just screwed them in with 3 screws per leg


Here you can see how I wrapped the fabric around the foam...just like wrapping a package, and I even used clear packing tape to hold it in place.  That way I can take it off and wash it if I need to

That is brilliant! Perfect for that spot (well, for cats).

That looks great, Sally, and the cats must love it! We've got two big perches attached side by side to the window sill in the living room, and Jamie spends most of his time there.

vball91 said:

That is brilliant! Perfect for that spot (well, for cats).

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Yes,and the great thing about it is...it's actually very lightweight, and when we need to use the dining room table, we can actually  just slide that window "seat" down the wall a little bit so the person sitting in front of the window can move their chair back a little more easily.  As it is, they CAN get in and out, but it's a tight squeeze