The key to protecting your chairs, sofas and floors

By being proactive and protecting your chairs, floors and sofas before they damage, you can save time and money. Plus, you'll alleviate the stress that comes up with unattractive stains or scratches on new furniture or freshly varnished floors.

Your chairs and couch will go through a lot over the course of a lifetime. A few well-chosen covers can really extend that time and keep you from repairing or replacing them sooner than you need to.

• Slipcovers prolong the life of upholstered furniture. They come as either custom-made or loosely draped coverings that protect your couch from small, sticky fingers and four-legged friends. When slipcovers get dirty, just remove them and wash.
• Slipcovers also serve a decorative purpose: they enhance seating arrangements and ensure different types of chairs are well-coordinated.
• The armrests of chairs and sofas wear out the quickest. Use an armrest cover to protect against abrasion and sweat.
• A decorative blanket draped over the seat of a chair or sofa can save seating from wear.
• Throws that cover an entire sofa have a modernizing effect on older or outdated furniture, giving the living room a new ambience.
• Removable covers can be dyed if you get tired of the hues.
• Protect your furniture from your beloved kitty by investing in a scratching post and placing it near where the cat sleeps or eats. You can also use a cat repellent (available at your local pet store) to keep cats away.

A brand-new floor delights the eyes. Although wear and tear may be unavoidable, you can postpone damage by taking a few simple precautions.

• Always put felt glides under tables and chairs. Self-adhesive glides often come loose, leaving ugly remnants of glue. Opt for more durable, screw-on felt glides instead.
• Put a protective mat under your desk chair. Even casters specifically made for hardwood floors can scratch them over time.
• Prevent dirt and stones from being tracked through the house by asking people to remove their shoes at the door. You can take the sting out of this rule by providing a few pairs of warm slippers or wooly socks for visitors to wear.
• Use area rugs to protect any area of the floor that might be susceptible to water leakage or spills.