If you’re a pet owner, you know our furry friends aren’t just pets—they’re family. They bring joy and companionship—and sometimes a bit of chaos. Our lovable pets are known for destroying furniture, ruining rugs and carpets, and worse. But sharing your home with pets doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style and comfort. In fact, with a few thoughtful considerations, you can create a pet-friendly home that’s both functional and stylish. Here are five ways to choose the perfect furniture for a home with pets.
Why Pet-Friendly Furniture Matters
Choosing the right furniture when you have pets is important for several reasons. For one, it helps increase the longevity of your furniture. It lets you maintain a stylish and clean home (even if things get a little hairy).
Secondly, the right furniture pieces ensure the safety and comfort of you and your pets. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, appropriate furniture makes cleaning easier. Now, let’s explore the key factors to consider when choosing pet-friendly furniture for your home.
Choose Pet-Resistant Fabrics
Pets stain and shred, so when it comes to fabrics, durability is key. Look for materials that can withstand claws, fur, and occasional accidents. One durable option is microfiber. It’s long-lasting, easy to clean, resistant to scratches and stains, and generally affordable. Leather, on the other hand, can run a bit higher in price, but it is easy to wipe down after a mess and it never traps pet hair. Cats and dogs also love to sleep on it.
As a final fabric choice, consider materials you’d find on outdoor furniture, such as acrylic. These fabrics are water-resistant and designed to withstand the elements, which makes them very pet friendly. They’re also easy to clean.
Fabrics To Avoid
Sorry, but forget about velvet and silk. These are harder to clean, trap pet hair, and are prone to scratching and ripping under claws and paws.
Pick Sturdy Furniture
Pets, especially larger dogs, are tough on furniture. Choose handmade pieces that are built to last. Solid wood frames provide the greatest durability compared to particle board or plastic frames. Get furniture with reinforced joints as well. It should have dowelled, screwed, and glued reinforcement rather than staples.
Consider Colors
Color and patterns make a big difference in how well your furniture hides pet hair and stains. Go with neutral or dark colors that hide fur and dark spots. Patterns are equally great for covering up and camouflaging unsightly stains.
Find Easy-To-Clean Surfaces
Choose furniture that is easy to clean and maintain. For upholstered furniture, slipcovers are terrific because you can remove and wash them without disassembling the piece. Try to find removable and machine-washable fabrics when picking cushions and covers.
Avoid Sharp Edges
Pets and small children are playful and energetic, which sometimes leads to accidents. Therefore, choose furniture with rounded edges and corners to prevent injuries. Also, seek stable designs that won’t tip over. Coffee tables are a big thing to be cautious about. While every living room needs a coffee table, they can cause bumps and bruises in unwitting pets and people! So make sure your coffee table is stable and features rounded corners. Alternatively, you can add corner pads to the edges.
Those are just five ways to choose the perfect furniture for a home with pets. As you can see, creating a pet-friendly home doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or comfort. Picking the right materials, colors, and designs creates a lovely home that’s great for your pets!
