My personal preference is always fabric rather than vinyl, although I shocked DH when I picked our leather couch several years ago....totally NOT me. I like the feel of fabric better, seems cooler. The kids/pets question is certainly valid unless the kids are now older and know better than to take the grape koolaid to the sofa. Pets can do damage to either with those pesky toenails. Leather doesn't scratch as much as vinyl, but the sofa is likely vinyl. If the fabric is a tight weave you're good, loose weave gotta watch those toenails again. Everything being equal, I like fabric best.