Pet-Friendly Furniture Buying Guide

Millions of people already own pets, and in 2020 that number jumped. Pets are a great way to have love, companionship, and a friend any time of day. Many people view pets as their children and want to give them the world. 

Whether you just became or you've been a pet parent for a while, figuring out how to buy the right furniture can be difficult.

This pet-friendly furniture buying guide will answer all your questions!

Keep reading to find out how to maintain your sense of style while still letting your furry pal up on the couch. 

What Pet-Friendly Living Room Furniture Should Do for You

The goal of pet-friendly living room furniture is to be the perfect addition to your home without being destroyed by your pet. It needs to be long-lasting, durable, and fashionable. 

Living room furniture should give you somewhere comfortable to sit and relax after a long day. You want each piece to help form a cohesive space that you're proud to show off to guests. It should be a perfect example of your homeowner style and last as long as you need it to. 

Pet-friendly living room furniture is important because the last thing you want is the couch you just spent money on being destroyed in seconds.

Pets are fun, a bit messy, and excited to be around you. Dogs might jump on the couch with muddy paws. Cats might use your couch to stretch their legs without realizing they're causing damage.

Pet-friendly furniture is important because it can hold up against anything your pet will throw at it. This style of furniture will let you comfortably curl up with your furry friend without worrying about pet hair damaging the material. 

What Makes Good Pet Furniture?

Different pets will have different requirements for pet-friendly living room furniture. What works for one dog might not work for another. It's important to take into consideration the traits of your pet that could impact your furniture choice. 

Shedding pets need a patterned fabric or one that matches their fur to avoid showing up. When your pets love licking and chewing furniture, avoid wood and loose weave fabrics. The loose weave can easily allow liquids to pass through causing odors and embedded stains.

Puppies and kittens go through a house training period, and accidents will happen. Until they're potty trained, you want your furniture to be easy to wipe, stain-resistant, and odor resistant. 

If you already have a couch, consider getting a couch cover that is stain-resistant, odor-resistant, and durable.  Outdoor furniture options can also work in inside spaces, and are often built to last in tough conditions. 

Once you have the traits of your pets in mind, you can get more specific. 

Best Furniture Options for Cat Owners 

If your cat loves to scratch, consider getting them scratching posts and toys to make the couch less of a temptation. Scratchers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can get one that matches your space. 

When it comes to picking a fabric for the best furniture for cats, you want to go with a non-woven or tightly woven, smooth fabric with minimal texture. The smoother the fabric, the less tempting it is for your cat to play with it. This fabric choice will also have fewer stray threads your cat will want to grab. 

Microfiber fabrics are a great option for people with cats because the material is dense. The density gives it the strength to resist damage from cat claws. Being unable to easily scratch the material will also make it less appealing for your cats to use. 

Furniture with synthetic fibers is another great option for cat owners. Who's cat hasn't knocked over their drink? Synthetic fibers can be stain-resistant and easier to clean. 

Best Furniture Options for Dog Owners 

Leather is a great option for dogs, but not for cats. Leather should be avoided if your pet likes to scratch.

Leather furniture is a great option for dogs because it's easy to clean the hair off the couch. If anything spills, leather can be wiped clean without any issues. The only downfall with leather is that it won't hide any blemishes, so if something spills it's best to clean it quickly. 

Like cats, synthetic fibers are a great option for dogs. If your dog jumps on the couch after a muddy walk, it'll be easy to clean up. 

Materials to Avoid 

Tweed, velvet, chenille, and silk are all materials you need to avoid if you want pet-friendly furniture. These materials are difficult to clean. They are also easy to stain and damage. 

Other Factors to Consider When Buying 

When you find the furniture you want, there are other factors you should keep in mind, beyond the fabric choice. 

The first is what kind of warranties the furniture company offers. No matter how hard you try to keep your furniture clean, accidents can happen. Spill protection and a fabric warranty are great things to look for when purchasing a couch. 

Next is how much space you have! When it comes to the frame of your furniture, you want it to be well structured and durable. Hard, sturdy woods will hold up against your pet jumping on the couch no matter how heavy they are. 

Your pet will want to sit with you no matter how much space you have on the furniture. If you like sitting with your pet but don't like being cramped in a single-person chair, consider getting a two-seater or larger. This will give you room to stretch and cuddle. 

Consider how old your pet is as well. If your pet has difficulty jumping up and down from the couch, consider getting them pet stairs. Pet stairs are a great option because you can get a higher couch without worrying about your pet not being able to get onto it. 

This Pet-Friendly Furniture Buying Guide Will Complete Your Living Room

Pet-friendly living room furniture is the perfect way to complete the look of your living room without having to compromise style or fashion for function. This pet-friendly furniture buying guide is a great way to get started.  

Here at Auberge Designs, our fabric technology offers you stain and scratch-resistant furniture that will make your living room comfortable and cozy. Order your dream furniture set right to your door!