How to Choose A Pet-Friendly Sofa?

If your family includes four-legged, fur-covered members, you will likely be curious to know how to choose a pet-friendly luxury sofa.

Lucky for you, there are several ways to make your seats pet friendly without compromising on style and comfort.

We want you to enjoy cuddling up with your handsome pooch without worrying about it causing damage to your furniture. Read on to learn the considerations you need to make when selecting your upholstery.

1. Material of the sofa

Scratch-Resistant

When choosing a couch material for a home with pets, it is important to consider its scratch resistance. Some materials can easily hide scratches, while others may not be as forgiving. This is especially important due to pets' claws and nails, which can potentially damage the couch.

Easy to Remove Pet Hair

Although several pets out there don't shed, your furniture will likely accumulate some hair or fur over time. To minimize this, consider selecting a couch material with a tight weave or no weave at all, which are less likely to hold onto animal hair and are easier to clean.

Stain Resistant

Pets can be a source of dirt and stains on your sofa, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors or have a tendency to drool. To protect your furniture, consider choosing a couch material that is stain resistant or easy to clean.

2. Colour of the sofa

If it works with your room's design and colour scheme, it may be helpful to choose a couch material that matches the colour of your animal's fur. This can help to conceal any shedding that occurs between cleanings.

For example, if you have a black schnauzer, a light-coloured couch may not be the best choice. Twill or textured weaves can also help to hide hair and stains better than smooth, simple weaves like linen.

Therefore, a patterned fabric may be a better option than a solid colour, as pet hair and stains will be less noticeable.

The Best Materials for Pet-Friendly Sofas

Now that we've covered a few of the characteristics that you'll want to keep in mind, here are some options to consider, each with its pros and cons.

Keep in mind that the best material for you may differ from that of someone with different pets, so it's important to carefully consider your needs and preferences.

Performance Fabrics

Performance fabrics like Crypton, Olefin, and Sunbrella are highly durable and easy to clean, making them great options for pet-friendly furniture. Of these materials, Crypton stands out for its exceptional resistance to scratches, stains, bacteria, and odours. It is also soft to the touch and comes in a variety of colours and patterns.

Olefin and Sunbrella, which are often used for outdoor furniture, can also be used indoors and are known for their resistance to wear and tear. However, Olefin may be a better choice for indoor use as it is softer and does not generate static electricity like Sunbrella.

Velvet

Velvet can be a stylish and pet-friendly choice for couch material, with a few considerations. It may attract pet hair, but the lack of a weave makes it easy to remove from the surface. Velvet is also less likely to be snagged by your pet's claws due to its smooth texture. High-quality polyester velvet is stain-resistant and more durable than other fabrics, but it does require more maintenance than some other options like leather.

Microfibre

Microfibre has become a popular choice for couch material in recent years due to its stain-resistant synthetic material and easy-to-clean surface. It may not be as soft as velvet, but it is still a comfortable fabric for a sofa. The tight weave of microfiber makes it less likely to be snagged by your pet's claws and the smooth surface is easy to vacuum and remove pet hair from.

Leather

A leather sofa is often recommended by interior designers as a good material for pet-friendly furniture. It is easy to clean and does not retain odours, making it completely odour-resistant.

While some people may worry that their pet's claws will scratch or puncture the leather, this is generally not a concern with true leather, as it is strong enough to withstand claws and nails. If your pet does happen to scratch the leather, it can contribute to the aged, distressed look that is often associated with leather couches. Any scratches can also be easily buffed out with leather oil or conditioner.

Pet-Friendly Sofa Style Tips

Slipcover Sofa

Slip-covered sofas are a convenient and practical choice for pet owners. If your sofa gets dirty, you can simply remove the cover and wash it in the machine. This allows you to quickly and easily keep your sofa clean and looking new. If you have stains that won't come out of your slipcover, you can simply replace them with a new one.

Skirted Designs

If your dog has a habit of chewing on wood furniture, you may want to consider a couch with metal legs or a skirted design. The skirted design can also help to prevent pet toys from sliding under the couch, which can save you from having to watch your dog paw at and scratch the floor to retrieve them.

Easy-to-Clean Cushions

In general, removable couch cushions will be easier to clean, especially if the fabric can be removed and washed separately. Some removable cushions are reversible, allowing you to flip them over if there is a stain or scratch on the surface. Beach-seat sofa cushions, which have fewer crevices, can also be easier to keep clean and free of pet hair.

On the other hand, designers caution against tufted-style couches like a Chesterfield, as hair can get stuck in the holes and be difficult to remove. These couches may also be more prone to damage from pets chewing on the buttons.

In Conclusion

Now that you have a better understanding of the ideal materials for your pet-friendly home, you can start shopping for a contemporary sofa that will fit your style and needs.

FCI carries an impressive selection of sofas in a variety of materials; one of the widest collections in the UK. With luxury sofas from all the best brands in the world, we've got something for every look.

Need more inspiration and guidance before getting started? Book a consultation either virtually or in person, and an experienced design specialist will work with you on reimagining your space from top to bottom, down to the last detail.