Best Sofas for Your Vacation Rental

Durability and comfort should be your top priorities when it comes to choosing a sofa for a vacation rental. Sofas that are made with durable, easy-to-clean fabrics such as leather, microfiber, or polyester, and those with sturdy frames that can withstand heavy use are the best way to go. After all, no one wants to deal with a saggy, stained couch in the midst of their relaxing getaway.

I’m a big fan of the open road and the thrill of discovering new places, and I know firsthand how important it is to have a comfortable and stylish place to kick back and relax after a long day of exploration. And as a host myself, I can attest to the importance of having a welcoming and well-appointed place for guests to relax after a day of sightseeing.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to test a variety of sofas, I can confidently say that I can easily spot a good candidate for an Airbnb or VRBO rental from the rest.

So first, let me introduce you to the kings and Queens of durable fabric sofas.

Velvet Sofas

Yep, velvet who knew? Now, to be clear, I’m not talking about “real” velvet, typically made from natural fibers like silk, cotton, or wool. No, I’m talking about velvet fabric made from the synthetic material polyester.

These sofas are surprisingly easier to clean compared to other types of fabric sofas, thanks to their synthetic fibers that resist spills and stains. And even if they do manage to get messed up, it’s easy to vacuum off any dirt and debris. Plus, the fibers are tightly woven, so they don’t hold onto grime like more open-weave materials do.

And if you really want to get your velvet sofa back to looking like new, you can use a little soap and water to spot-clean any particularly dirty or stained areas. Just make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and care, because using the wrong stuff could affect the fabric.

At around (just under) the $500 mark, the JULYFOX Velvet Fabric Sofa is a good example of the type of sofa you should go for. 

Other Polyester Fabric Sofas

If velvet doesn’t appeal to you, there are other fabric textures you can go for. The ZINUS Benton Sofa Couch, for example, is made with a very on-trend “woven fabric, almost like a thick linen“.

This mid-century modern timeless classic will not only stand out in your rental property, but it will also keep your guests feeling cozy and comfortable with its sophisticated grid tufting, subtly rounded arms, and dense yet supportive foam seating.

But the great thing is that it is still made from the same fabric — polyester. That makes it super easy to clean with just a damp cloth and mild detergent.

Leather Sofas

Leather has a reputation for being more delicate than it actually is — provided, that is, you don’t go for natural uncoated “aniline” leather, or, on the other end of the leather spectrum, bonded or synthetic leatherette which is more likely to crack and flake.

Top-grain and Italian leathers that have a pigment coating to protect and enhance the appearance of the natural patina, and to hide any blemishes in the hide and this makes it a proper tough cookie. I have two leather sofas in my rental, as well as an Italian leather Barcelona chair. Here’s the ottoman below.

They are zero effort to clean and maintain and I haven’t needed to use any leather conditioners or anything like that. I’m comfortable with the ones I have enough to know that I can use soap and a damp cloth to give them a really good clean. However, if you opt for a leather one, do check that you don’t have a sofa with a mix of aniline and Italian leather because the aniline bit will be left with watermarks.

The only other thing I want to say is that it’s better to choose a dark color. My black sofa looks so much newer than my cream/white one and it’s several years older. Either way, they all look good — you’d never know that I’d had them so long.

You’ll also notice there are no scratches in the photo above — and I’ve been putting my feet up on it (even with shoes) for years!

The high-density foam with polyester filling and feather-down topper on seating surfaces make for a cozy lounging on a cloud experience, while the feather-down and fiber blend seat-back cushions and bolsters add an extra layer of luxury.

And let’s not forget the Pirelli webbing – it’s the cherry on top of this comfort sundae. Plus, the loose, non-reversible seat and back cushions and lose bolsters make for easy customization to fit your guests’ preferences. And with curbside delivery included, all you’ll need to do is a quick and simple assembly (estimated at around 5 minutes) before you can kick back and relax.

In conclusion, if you want the best sofa for your vacation rental, you should invest in comfort and durability. You might want to consider spraying the fabric with a protector and when it comes to cleaning, Woolite is a lower-risk way to keep it looking its best.

Lastly, when choosing the best sofas for your vacation rental, don’t forget to invest in a good warranty or furniture protection plan for extra peace of mind. Happy hosting!