I can't tell you which brand to get, but I can recommend that you get a hide that is FINISHED, rather than Aniline-dyed. It will hold up longer and be easier to clean. If you want overall durability, then a solid (or engineered) wood frame, screwed/doweled/glued as well as a hard spring edge, and preferably 8-way hand-knotted springs in the seat deck. I almost hate to say it, but in most cases the more expensive the piece is (within reason)- the better its going to hold up. -Duane

I am curious as to why you don't want leather. It last longer. It's more sanitary. No dustmites and a good quality leather does not look like or feel like plastic. I agree that a good upholstery option is slipcovered as the slipcovers are washable. (FYI poster above Taylor King is a good option if you do decide on a fully upholstered option)

I can suggest what we did -- we went with a moderately priced leather (leather match -- the back and sides are actually a matching vinyl but 12 years later they still look like the seats -- just less worn) when my youngest was probably in 1st grade -- he's in college now. We have two boys and they grew up with the sectional, DH came and took breaks from working in the yard, and two dogs acquired along the way sometimes came in and hopped up before we noticed they'd been in the pool or dirt. I can't think of anything else that would have lived with us so well, been so comfortable that I fell asleep on it the first day we had it and it's still comfortable. Our sectional is a Lane and I've been surprised to see people calling them junk, but we bought it 12-13 years ago and things may have changed since then. It wasn't top of the line -- the leather match takes it out of that category, but the leather and the vinyl have not given us any problems, Everything other than the Sharpie mark left when my youngest fell asleep while working on homework cleaned up easily, and I even got out the Sharpie. I will stop short of recommending Lane because the reviews now seem universally poor, but I do think it makes sense to go with a modest (not cheap) to mid-range sectional. I wouldn't look at top dollar or maybe even your top budget unless you know you aren't going to be moving for a number of years (the size of configuration might be all wrong for the next house). We are looking at Omnia at a local dealer. If you don't have a local dealer, there are some locations you can purchase online (including limited models from Wayfair. They are full leather -- not match and made in USA. They have non-reclining sectionals in your price range. All the ones we've sat on have been very comfortable. We have ruled a few out because the backs are shorter. Your DH may like the split cushion back -- they sit 2" taller. My 6'4" sons liked them. Macy's also has some leather sectionals that are sofas and loveseats with a corner wedge. That means have two arms on both sides and can separate them -- even use them separately or in the reverse configuration if you move. I prefer not to have the arms inside the sectional and they don't fit our space anyway, so they aren't an option for us, but I've sat on them and they are very comfortable too. Hope that helps.

I have a purple (!) microsuede slip-covered sectional;about 10 years old. I was leery at purchase time b/c it was not at all what I'd imagined, but it has been wonderful. It cleans easily with a wet paper towel (until it's time to toss the slips into the washer), dog fur vacuums off easily, and it is soft and cozy but still stays tidy looking. The brand is Rowe (which does not have terrific online reviews ) but we've been very happy with it. The slips fit tightly and the purple color doesn't look crazy with my other furniture. The one problem is that the pieces do not fasten together well.