When you live with pets, sometimes sacrifices need to be made! As for furniture, this usually means picking materials which are durable, easy to clean, and won’t be a nightmare for you to maintain. While there are some obviously very BAD choices, which ones are the good choices? Here are a few for you consider!
Leather/Pleather
Leather (or pleather if you prefer animal free!) is a good choice for dogs. Hair doesn’t stick to it, so you can easily vacuum up any hair your furry friend leaves behind, and any messes can quickly be wiped up with a damp cloth.
This is good for accidents of both the human and dog kind. If a pup gets sick or perhaps even pees on it, it shouldn’t soak into the cushions or stain like on a fabric sofa!
In addition, leather tends to get better with age. Even if it gets a bit worn, it can still look nice, and a good piece of leather furniture will develop a personality all its own as it becomes “well loved”.
However, if your pets are a bit clumsy with their claws, then it’s not a great choice. As deep scratches will be very noticeable. Though a good trim may solve the problem!
Microfiber
If you’d prefer a fabric couch, then microfiber is a good way to go. This material is durable, and it won’t rip or scratch easily under your pet’s nails. You can also typically pick up hair quickly with just a lint roller, making maintenance pretty easy.
It also tends to be a bit cheaper than leather stuff, so if your pup does manage to stain it – it’s not a huge loss. However, most stains should wipe up with soap and water and a small bit of elbow grease.
Canvas
If you’ve already got some furniture which you’d like to protect, have you considered canvas slip covers? Canvas is super durable and removable covers can quickly go in and out of the wash, protecting your stuff!
It’s easy to keep clean, and if it gets really gross – you can just toss it and get a new one pretty cheap.
Outdoor Fabrics
Yes, I mean the kind of fabrics you use for patio furniture! These fabrics are water resistant and very durable to handle the outdoor elements. That means you could either bring in some outdoor furniture in the rooms where dogs are allowed to go, or get some furniture covers made out of it.
While it may feel a little strange at first, it’s a great option if you’ve got a lovely pup who is a bit hard on your stuff.
