Pet-Friendly Furniture That Will Stand the Test of Time

When you first brought home your new dog, you knew you’d be getting a lifelong companion.

What you may not have considered is that you were also getting a furry friend who loves your furniture just as much as you. The only problem is your four-legged bestie, much like your kids, doesn’t exactly leave your living room sofa in pristine condition.

Oh well, that’s just the cost of owning a pet, right? Wrong.

At the very least, that shouldn't prevent you from creating living spaces you love. Because while you may be unable to completely avoid dog hair on the furniture, there are certain fabrics and materials that are more forgiving to Fido’s couch-loving ways.

Learn more about these pet-friendly finds that will hold up to the wear and tear of your fur babies.

PET-FRIENDLY FABRICS

Leather

While the polished look may seem counterintuitive to having pets make their home on it, leather acts as a sort of repellent to pet hair. Take a vacuum and the occasional cleaner to it once or twice a week and your leather sofa will stay shiny just like the day you bought it.

Microfiber

You’ve probably heard of this miracle maker before — and with good reason. Microfiber is known for its durable and water-resistant traits, which makes it an obvious pick for homes where tiny hands and paws roam freely.

It also has a soft, velvet-like feel that screams comfort. And, best of all, most stains will come out with just a bit of mild soap and water, as well as some light scrubbing.

Slipcovers

Can’t bear to part with a special piece, but know it’s not pet-friendly? Try a slipcover.

Slipcovers, especially those made of canvas or faux leather, can be a great compromise for a design-loving home. Remove the cover with little effort for when guests come over or to launder it when it gets a bit dirty.

DON’T PICK PLAYGROUND PIECES

This one is sort of an “aha” moment once you understand what a playground piece of furniture means to your pooch.

Of course, a dog's urge is to chew is both instinctual and a boredom buster. Think about it this way. If you pick up a stick and throw it for your pup to fetch, they now associate wood with toys and fun. And who doesn’t want to play?

Now, think about all the ways your home décor might be full of tantalizing wood “treats” in the form of furniture. Coffee tables, sofas, and chairs with wooden legs accessible to dogs' mouths could all become a target.

With that in mind, your best bet is to avoid buying wooden furniture and instead opt for metal. Then again, you can also use a pet-friendly furniture spray on wooden pieces to discourage chewing.

TIGHT WEAVE = PET-FRIENDLY

What any design-forward person wants is not to feel limited in their choices of furniture.

So, even those of us with kiddos and/or dogs at home can have our space reflect our unique style — as long as the fabrics we choose all share this one quality: a tight weave. It won’t trap odors, it’s durable and easy to clean, and it won’t catch a stray toenail and snag.

Ultimately, pets and stylish, modern furniture can happily coexist if you know what to pick and what to avoid.