Bulletproof Your Decor: Tips for Slob-Proof Interiors

1. Color Me Bold. "Color is camouflage," says interior designer Debbie Wiener. "Beige just doesn't hold up in real life." Her go-to hues are dark green, purple, blue and dark red. Before making a selection, survey the color of the stains on your existing furnishings, then match your new carpet, drapes and sofa accordingly.

2. Find Fuss-Free Fabrics. Forgo the silk and linen, and choose a textile that can handle high traffic. Wiener is a fan of Crypton, Ultrasuede and heavyweight chenille (Lee Jofa Fabrics is a good source, she says). When it comes to upholstery, opt for patterns instead of solids to better conceal stains, and choose sofa and chair designs without skirts (which get frayed and dirty).

3. Let There be Light. Wiener endorses ceiling and wall lighting over table lamps, which, she says, die a quick death when pets and kids get rambunctious. Plus, ceiling and wall fixtures allow you to highlight the things you love and remove the focus from the things you don't.

4. Watch Your Step. Solution-dyed acrylic and nylon rugs are Wiener's budget-conscious choices, but she says wool is the way to go if at all possible. "First, it's green. And it has a ton of lanolin, which is like Vaseline," she notes. "It is naturally stain-resistant," as long as you don't use harsh cleaners. If pets are in the picture, Wiener recommends an antimicrobial padding to cut down on odors.

5. Scrimp Here, Splurge There. "Spend money where you sit and stand," Wiener advises. She says coffee tables, side tables and chests are ideal items to save money on. To extend the life of a wood table, she recommends getting a glass top cut. That way, residue from half-eaten lollipops and the like can be wiped clean.

-- Alexa Yablonski