Moreover, a really nice couch will probably run you north of $2000. We have dogs, three kids six and under, things get messy. A cheap pleather couch from Big Lots is $350 (and is plenty comfortable). I'd rather buy a handful of those over the next 15 years and just throw them out when they're destroyed than a nice $2000-$3000 couch.

(Note: I haven't read the article yet, I'm planning on doing so, and I generally agree with buying nicer well made things, BIFL, but sometimes it's easier/cheaper to buy something you know will be ruined and you won't care as much).