If your living room is the central hub of your hectic home, you know the simultaneous love and abuse that your couches and chairs see. Kids crash into them, pets jump all over the cushions, and drinks spill on the fabric almost daily. While quality and durability are the most important qualities for 91% of sofa buyers, there is no guarantee that your couches and chairs will able to survive the regular wear and tear of family life. Extend the life of your upholstered furniture with these easy tips, and you won't be buying a new sectional before you're done paying off the old one.

Provide leg support protection

The legs of your couches and recliners bear a lot of weight every day. They also take a lot of pressure when you move furniture around for cleaning or redecorating. To prevent your furniture legs from breaking off or wearing down, place furniture movers or floor protectors under each couch and chair leg. Not only do these handy sliders make it easier to move your furniture around, but they relieve the usual pressure the legs bear and make them last for much longer.

Avoid the sunlight

While you may appreciate natural light filling your living space, the fabric on your furniture does not. The sun's UV rays tend to fade upholstery in the same way that they damage your skin. Try to keep your furniture out of direct sunlight and add extra protection with blinds, shades, curtains, and windows that are designed to block UV radiation.

Use furniture slipcovers

Recliner seat covers and sofa slipcovers are the surest way to protect your furniture from damage. These covers take the daily wear and tear so that your furniture doesn't have to. They are especially useful as pet cover solutions and spill protection, as you can more easily remove recliner seat covers for regular cleaning than attempt to clean the recliner itself.

Vacuum regularly

Speaking of cleaning, something as simple as regular vacuuming can significantly extend the life of your furniture. It doesn't matter if your couch is made of leather, fabric, or always has a couch slipcover on it, you can easily protect it when you vacuum it weekly. Be sure to clean off pet hair with lint rollers before you vacuum to remove any embedded debris and to immediately wipe up spills to prevent permanent damage. It only takes a few easy steps to make your upholstered furniture last for years to come. Whether you choose to use protective methods like couch and recliner seat covers or create a regular cleaning schedule, you're taking the right steps to extend the life of your well-loved furniture.