Thankfully, there's a universe of stylish, comfortable fabrics made to take on the spills, smudges and fingerprints that come with a busy home. Finding these family-friendly textiles is easy, but not in most home stores.  Instead, head to your nearest patio and outdoor furniture shop. 

Here you'll discover that soft, inviting, stylish fabrics now rule the world of outdoor decorating. Innovative brands including Sunbrella, Sun-n-Shade by Waverly, and Outdura have virtually banished scratchy, plastic-y outdoor fabrics from the market. Offering looks to match the finest interior textiles, these easy-clean, moisture and mold-resistant outdoor fabrics are finding a ready welcome indoors, too.

Fiber construction is what sets the new breed of outdoor fabrics apart. To mimic the look and feel of regular decorative textiles, outdoor fabrics are crafted of finely spun acrylic that's woven into myriad styles, textures and designs. No one will know the new pillows or sofa are done in outdoor fabrics unless you tell them -- or until they spill something.

The similarities between regular and outdoor fabrics end then it comes to durability and stain-resistance. The nonabsorbent nature of outdoor fabric fibers makes then naturally resistant to most anything a busy home can dish out. Smudges are easily cleaned off, liquids bead up instead of soaking in, and mold, mildew and allergen molecules have no place to grab hold and grow.

Even with outdoor fabrics’ growing popularity for indoor use, higher-end and custom outdoor furniture stores still offer the greatest variety of styles. In most, you can pick up ready-made accents like throw pillows and cushions and order yardage for drapery or upholstery projects.

So if you're tired of fighting style-busting spills and smudges, give outdoor fabrics a look. They may be just what the decorator ordered!