How to Spill Proof Your Living Room
La-Z-Boy Southeast | December 30, 2025
Creating a spill-proof living room means protecting four key areas: walls, carpet, furniture, and rugs. The secret isn’t avoiding life’s messes—it’s choosing materials designed to handle them. Scrubbable paints like Sherwin-Williams Duration or Benjamin Moore Aura can withstand repeated cleaning without losing color. Carpets with permanent stain protection like Mohawk SmartStrand Forever Clean repel 100% of liquids. Furniture upholstered in La-Z-Boy’s iClean Fabric resists everything from wine to marker. And stain-resistant rugs made from polypropylene or nylon add a final protective layer. Together, these materials create a living room where you can actually live—without constant worry about the next spill.
Protect Your Walls with Scrubbable Paint
Standard paint fades or wears away after repeated cleaning. Scrubbable paint contains more durable binders and higher-quality resins that create a tougher surface—you can actually scrub stains without damaging the finish.
Important: Scrubbable isn’t the same as washable. Washable paints handle gentle, occasional cleaning. Scrubbable paints withstand real scrubbing without losing color or finish.
Top Scrubbable Paint Options
Benjamin Moore Aura – Gold standard for durability, stain resistance, and beautiful color depth.
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior – Advanced stain-blocking technology in a washable matte finish.
Sherwin-Williams Duration Home – Cross-linking technology that actually repels stains before they set.
Behr Premium Plus Ultra – Triple protection: moisture, fade, and stain resistance.
Zinsser AllClean – Class 1 scrub-rated, engineered specifically for high-traffic areas like hallways and kids’ rooms.
All come in extensive color ranges, so protection doesn’t limit your design options.
Choose Carpet with Built-In Stain Resistance
The secret to worry-free carpeting? Choose fibers with permanent, built-in stain protection rather than topical treatments that wash away over time.
SmartStrand Forever Clean: The Industry Leader
SmartStrand Forever Clean from Mohawk has earned its reputation through some impressive technology:
Permanent stain resistance is built into every fiber—not applied as a coating. While nylon carpet loses up to 50% of its protection after just three steam cleanings, SmartStrand maintains 100% protection for life.
Zero moisture absorption means when liquid hits SmartStrand, 0% absorbs into the fiber (compared to 5% for nylon). This prevents odors from setting in and makes cleanup simple—usually just water or mild detergent.
Advanced nanotechnology creates a protective barrier that repels dirt, dander, and spills before they penetrate the fiber.
Exceptional durability resists matting and crushing even in high-traffic areas. Independent testing shows it handles 60,000 footsteps before showing traffic-related wear.
Eco-friendly construction includes renewable, plant-based ingredients (made in part from corn).
Installed in over 7 million homes, SmartStrand consistently ranks #1 in customer satisfaction. It handles everything from pet accidents to kids’ art projects, cleaning up beautifully every time.
For ultimate luxury, SmartStrand Silk and Silk Reserve offer 3x more fibers than standard nylon for an ultra-soft feel—without sacrificing any stain protection.
Furnish with Stain-Resistant Fabric
iClean Fabric from La-Z-Boy
iClean Fabric repels both liquid and non-liquid spills while maintaining a soft, comfortable feel. The technology creates a protective barrier around each fiber, causing spills to bead up on the surface instead of soaking in.
What it repels: soda, coffee, wine, juice, dirt, ketchup, magic marker, pet accidents, and muddy paw prints.
Most spills clean up with just a paper towel. Tougher messes might need mild soap and water—no harsh chemicals or professional cleaning required.
iClean Fabric looks and feels amazing—soft, comfortable, and available in a wide range of colors and styles. You get furniture that’s both beautiful and practical, so you can relax and enjoy your space without worrying about the next spill.
Layer in a Stain-Resistant Rug
A stain-resistant rug ties the room together while adding an extra layer of protection.
Best Rug Materials for Stain Resistance
Polypropylene (Olefin) – The most budget-friendly option. Naturally stain and water-resistant, moisture and mildew-resistant, fade-resistant, and easy to clean with water and mild detergent. Durable enough for high-traffic areas and even outdoor use. Available in a huge range of colors, patterns, and styles.
Nylon – Similar benefits with superior resilience and bounce-back. Slightly more expensive but offers vibrant colors, excellent stain resistance, and a soft feel. Perfect for families with kids and pets.
Wool – The luxury option. Naturally repels stains and dirt thanks to lanolin content. Incredibly durable, eco-friendly, and ages beautifully. Requires gentler cleaning but worth the investment if budget allows.
Placement Tips
Measure your space so at least the front legs of your furniture sit on the rug—this anchors it in place and creates visual cohesion. Darker tones and multi-colored patterns hide everyday dirt better than light, solid colors.
At La-Z-Boy Southeast, we carry stain-resistant rugs perfect for completing your spill-proof living room. Our degreed interior designers can help you choose rugs, furniture, and accessories that work together beautifully—all for free. Download our Guide to Choosing an Area Rug here.
Live Life Comfortably
Spills are inevitable—but stressing about them isn’t. By combining scrubbable paint, carpet with built-in stain resistance, iClean Fabric furniture, and stain-resistant rugs, you create a living room that’s truly worry-free.
No more keeping the “good furniture” off-limits or panicking when someone walks in with a drink. Just comfortable, beautiful spaces where life actually happens.
Ready to create your spill-proof living room? Visit any of our La-Z-Boy Southeast locations in Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina. We’ll help you build a space that works for your life.
