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A Guide to Pet-Friendly Upholstery

A Guide to Pet-Friendly Upholstery

A Guide to Pet-Friendly Upholstery

Anyone who’s a pet owner is well-aware that regardless of any efforts to keep furniture in pristine condition, stains and damage are an unavoidable aspect of having an animal in the house. But loving your furry friend doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your love for style. Choosing the right fabrics, finishes, and materials can exponentially reduce damage and eliminate stains, so you can find the best solution for your beloved pet and your beloved upholstery.

Before You Shop

The obvious solution for maintaining upholstery with animals is to train your pets not to jump on or scratch any furniture. However, training takes time. If you’re looking for durable upholstery that will last long after your pet is fully trained, consider taking the right steps to choose a piece that fits your needs.

Before you begin shopping, observe your pet’s behaviors and habits and make note of which items they are drawn to. Discovering whether your dog or cat’s habit is gnawing, drooling, shedding, scratching, or all the above can help you decide which fabric is best. You can also use this knowledge to discern which textures your pets find most appealing, and purchase pet furniture in the materials that you know they like. Not only will your dog or cat love their new furniture, but they’ll also hopefully stay away from yours! Once you understand your pets most damaging habits, you can examine your options and begin the search.

Finding The Right Fabric

Your pet will put any material to the test, which is why the most important factor to consider when picking the right fabric is durability. Luckily, there are a wide array of fabrics and materials with maximum strength and stain resistance to choose from.

A top-contender for pet-friendly upholstery are Performance Fabrics. These fabrics are specifically designed to last long and withstand damage. While they are engineered for strength and stain resistance, many performance fabrics, such as Crypton, are soft and comfortable to the touch. They are also offered in a myriad of color and pattern options, so you’ll never have to prioritize function over style.

Distressed Leather is another durable and stylish option for pet owners. Its smooth surface makes wiping off liquid and dirt easy, and fur won’t cling to leather like it will with other fabrics. The unique texture of leather also makes it more difficult for claws to snag. Although, even if your cat or dog does scratch your sofa, you can easily buff out marks with leather conditioner, or leave them to enhance the distressed, aged aesthetic of the leather.

For someone who enjoys frequently changing up their style, slipcovers may be another great choice. Because they are removable, slipcovers are easy to clean and maintain. If your dog or cat makes a mess, simply toss it in the washing machine. For tough stains, these slipcovers are easily replaceable, so you can cost-effectively update your look whenever you please.

Once you’ve decided which type of fabric works best for you and your pets, you can narrow down your search to the color and pattern that fits your style, and discretely hides fur and damage. Finding a fabric with a similar color to your animal’s fur will make shedding significantly less evident, and generally, complex and multicolored patterns will further obscure any hair or damage.

Choosing The Best Leg Styles

Many pets – particularly dogs- love to chew on anything they can get their teeth on. Oftentimes, the easiest and most appealing items for them to gnaw on are the legs of your furniture. The easiest way to ensure your furniture legs don’t become personal chew-toys or scratching posts for your pet is to consider the material

Wood is more easily damaged by claws and teeth, and far more appealing for animals than materials like metal. When possible, opt for a metal leg style, or wood legs with a high quality, thick finish. For added protection, there are also plenty of non-toxic wood and surface sprays to deter animals. For Sofas in particular, a skirted style can be helpful by obscuring legs from your pet’s sight. Regardless of the leg style you choose, there are plenty of actions you can take to prevent any unsightly damage.

Other Considerations

While Choosing the right fabrics, frames, and colors can go a long way to reducing damage to your furniture, it’s just as important to take preventative measures such as keeping up with pet maintenance and offering alternative furniture. Remembering to trim your pet’s nails and regularly brush and groom their fur to reduce shedding will significantly aid in your upholstery upkeep. Another one of the best ways to avoid animals damaging your furniture is to offer plenty of toys, scratching posts, and pet beds as an alternative. Many stores offer fashionable, aesthetically pleasing pet furniture so both you and your pet can lounge in style. If you need help creating a space that’s high-style and pet friendly, find your nearest Boston Interiors showroom, and come in for a free design consultation today!

The bottom line? You love your pet, but you don’t have to love the damage they cause to your furniture. By following this guide and choosing the right upholstery, you can happily share your home and furniture with your furry friends.

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