Our Favorite Pieces of Pet-Friendly Furniture That Hide Fur and Hold Up to Claws
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Try as we might, sometimes there’s no keeping our pets off the furniture. Investing in pet-friendly furniture saves us the agony of worrying about what might happen if Luna hops up on the couch or Charlie tries gnawing on a chair leg. Pet-friendly furniture of course isn’t pet-proof. The only thing pet-proof might be the heavy-duty Kong tire, but even that can be worn down over time by determined jaws. The point is, pet furniture should hide fur well, hold up against scratchy nails and deter pets from leaving bite marks everywhere. We’ve already outfitted our homes with pet-friendly plants and dog stairs to ensure our pups can fall asleep next to us. It’s time to go the extra mile to make sure our furniture is as pet-friendly as the rest of our stuff. That’s why we’ve sourced sectionals made for pets (like the Nomad Velvet 5-Seat Corner Sectional by Burrow, $3,000), rugs that are machine-washable (like the Leelu Black & White Rug by Ruggable, $89) and dog crates that double as chic tables (oh hey, Bulwell Dog Crate by Archie & Oscar, $390), plus so many more pieces that can handle whatever Fido throws their way.
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The Best Pet Furniture at a Glance
How We Chose the Most Pet-Friendly Furniture
We dug through lots of options to find the furniture we felt best captured the phrase “pet-friendly.” This means performance fabrics with high rub counts (way over 15,000, the standard residential rub count). Upholstery options that are either removable and machine-washable or totally stain-resistant. We focused on metal legs whenever possible (to prevent your dog from chewing on wooden ones). Finally, is the furniture functional and easy on the eyes? We don’t have to sacrifice style just because we have pets.
1. Nomad Velvet 5-Seat Corner Sectional by Burrow
Burrow
Burrow has dedicated a huge section of its furniture collection to items made for pets. Well, made for people with pets front of mind. Their Nomad Collection uses synthetic, stain-resistant, pill-resistant and scratch-resistant fabric. The fibers are non-toxic and free of chemical additives. You can actually spot clean it with a special solution of water and bleach! We love their 5-seat corner sectional for its Scandinavian design, moody color options and metal legs. Plus, there are three set-ups to choose from, which makes this a lifetime piece you can switch up as necessary.
2. Pearce Roll Arm Upholstered Sofa by Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn
We love that Sunbrella—the company known for its outdoor furniture—upholsters indoor pieces, too. At Pottery Barn, not only can you follow a handy guide to pick your fabric, but there are many Sunbrella® Performance options. We like their Boss Herringbone in Light Gray because it's a solid neutral that will also hide the inevitable build-up of pet hair. The fabric is designated pet-friendly by Pottery Barn, which means it is “ideal for homes with one or more pets.” Not only are they easy to clean, they resist snags from claws and don’t fade easily. It may bump the overall sofa price up a bit, but it’s worth it for a more durable piece of furniture.
Buy it (from $1,800 $1,620)
3. PB Comfort Roll Arm Slipcovered Sofa by Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn
If you’re looking for a softer, smoother option from Pottery Barn, this slipcovered sofa in their Performance Everydayvelvet™ fabric is the way to go. The company says this fabric is “a long-wearing, high-performance velvet with a soft, plush pile for a luxurious feeling fabric that's easy to clean.” Softer than Sunbrella, this performance velvet comes in nine unique and earthy tones, like camel, smoke and fern. Other excellent, pet-friendly specs: a 100,000 rub count designed for high-traffic spots and machine-washable fabric. This sofa shape is also a classic design suitable for any decor type (which is probably why it’s a PB Bestseller).
4. Nomad Armchair Chaise by Burrow
Burrow
Burrow’s sectional is top-notch, so naturally their chaise is going to be at the top of our list, too. We love this chaise (because who doesn’t love a dog or cat curling up by your feet as you sit back and relax?) in part because you can opt for a full chaise or a chair with an ottoman, depending on your style, and in part because of their built-in chargers. Anyone with a cat on their lap will tell you how nice it is not to have to get up to charge your phone. Choose between regular Nomad fabric or Nomad Velvet (which is pricier).
5. Leelu Black & White Rug by Ruggable
Ruggable
If you’re not already on the Ruggable train, we’re at the station and ready for you to board. These rugs are machine-washable, lightweight, and low pile (so they fit into your washing machine nicely). Each rug comes in a variety of sizes and arrives with a rug pad. According to the company website, their Cling Effect™ technology keeps the pad and rug connected to each other (and well-gripped to your floor). There are tons of designs to choose from—we love their Bohemian options with sleek lines that can hide the inevitable dog hair pile-up or cat barf.
6. Antique Ivory Shag Rug by Ruggable
Ruggable
A shag rug? With pets? Yes, it’s possible! This shag rug is fluffy and cozy while still retaining the stain- and liquid-resistance Ruggable promises. You can wash this one in your machine, too. This shaggy beauty comes in Antique Ivory, Egret White, Soft Pink and Light Grey. This is a luxurious, super soft option for anyone looking for more texture in their home. Ruggable’s rug pads can also be spot cleaned if you spill and liquid seeps through the rug cover.
7. The Campo Swivel Chair by Levity
Ruggable
Ruggable has expanded their offerings beyond floor decor and we couldn’t love it more. Through its partnership with Levity, a brand dedicated to functional, life-proof furniture, Ruggable brings us this lounge chair. It’s sturdy, comfortable and covered in washable fabric. You can literally remove the entire fabric covering on the chair - not just the cushions - and toss it in the washing machine. It resists stains and liquid though, so hopefully you don’t have to wash it all the time! Choose from 24 colors (we’re partial to the Light Sage) to match any decor. The only negative reviews we read were from people who said that despite measuring with the dimensions provided, these chairs seemed smaller than they appear in pictures.
8. Bulwell Dog Crate by Archie & Oscar
Wayfair
Dog crates can take up a lot of space, so choosing one that doubles as a useful piece of furniture is straight up genius. We like this option because it offers a large table top and two shelves for storage. The crate itself has a removable wall to accommodate larger breeds (or two toy breeds if you got ‘em!). Plus, the doors slide open and closed and can be locked so your sneaky pup doesn’t escape if it’s time to chill out. One drawback is the material is manufactured wood and not chew-resistant. So, if you’ve got a big chewer on your hands, we advise against this one.
9. Faux Leather Dining Chairs by HeuGah
Amazon
Your dog might not sit at the table with you, but cats have been known to nap on dining chairs. This is why it’s wise to invest in leather, faux leather or microfiber upholstered chairs, if you want to go the fabric route. Cats can’t dig their claws into this pair and wear and tear looks more natural on leather and faux leather. Plus, this stylish set has metal legs. If your dog tries to chew on them, they’ll fare much better than wooden legs. If you spill on these, they wipe clean very easily. Assembly is super simple and replacement parts are free for a full year. Choose between brown, black, green and gray faux leather. (These are also offered in sets of four and as barstools!)
10. Velvet Office Swivel Chair by MOJAY
Amazon
This is an example of a microfiber velvet chair. Designed for a home office, this one has a classic style and golden metal legs. Again, cats won’t be able to dig their claws in and mark their territory on this type of fabric. The seat contains high density foam for extra comfort and rotates a full 360 degrees (and you can adjust height). Plus, the colorways are out of this world. If you want to go totally glam, we like the emerald green.
11. Emmett Pop-Up Storage Bed by West Elm
West Elm
Now, we like this bed for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which is the incredible storage it offers. Pop up the mattress to store winter comforters or summer sheets, depending on the season. Hint: You can also store winter and summer dog beds under here! A bed with hidden storage also prevents cats from hiding out all day. Yes, felines need space to retreat to for comfort, but hiding under the bed constantly isn’t good for them. Choose West Elm’s Performance Velvet for the upholstery. Though it only comes in four colors, it’s incredibly durable yet soft and was designed with commercial use in mind (aka, it’ll last a long time). It also has a 100,000 rub count. You could also choose the Performance Coastal Linen, but we don’t recommend this if you have pets with claws that could easily dig into the upholstery.
12. Jollene Leather Sectional at Macy's
Macy's
Leather is an excellent material for pet-friendly furniture. Not only does it last over time, but even scratches here and there don’t matter as it lends to a distressed, lived-in look many pieces of leather furniture already have. This sectional from Macy’s is tres chic. Available in navy or dark gray leather, its shape is modern and sleek. The sturdy hardwood and plywood frame makes it a good choice for people with dogs who like (and are allowed) to join you on the couch. Sectionals are also good options for families with kids and pets because of all the extra seating options.
13. Ultimate Stretch Suede Three Piece Sofa Slipcover by SureFit
SureFit
Sometimes, your best option is a slipcover, rather than investing in a whole new couch. We recommend going with a multi-piece option if possible. That way, if your cat pukes or your dog drools on one cushion, you don’t have to wash the entire piece! You can simply remove one cushion cover and toss it in your washing machine. Buy matching covers for chairs and ottomans if you want to protect your entire living room. And of course, SureFit also makes one-piece slipcovers in stretch suede if you decide it’s easier to toss a single piece of fabric over your sofa and call it a day.
14. Miller Sectional by Joybird in Bentley Fabric
Joybird
We love the simplicity of this sectional, and its cozy, plush design. Joybird offers a range of pet-friendly and Greenguard Gold Certified fabrics, but their Bentley collection is a microfiber material that looks and feels like velvet. Choose from deep Indigo, bright yellow Daisy or classic gray Pewter. You can also decide if you want the chaise on the right or left, depending on your set-up. Reviewers agree this material stands up to the pet test with both dogs and cats.
What Types of Materials Are Pet-Friendly?
Many companies these days recognize the important role pets play in our lives. Pets are more like children to us than ever before. Often, family-friendly and pet-friendly materials go hand-in-hand, so look for or ask about fabric options that fall into these categories.
Pet-friendly fabrics are going to have a good rub count, which is a metric that tells you how durable the material will be over time. According to American Leather, most residential furniture will have a rub count between 10,000 and 25,000, but performance and commercial fabrics will have much higher rub counts. These are the fabrics to look for.
Performance fabrics typically resist liquid (spills) and spot-clean or machine-wash easily (huge perk). Many brands, like Interior Define, which boasts a line of performance fabrics with rub counts between 60,000 and 200,000, can upholster just about anything in a performance fabric.
We also love that more than 85 percent of Interior Define’s performance fabrics are Oeko-Tex® Certified, which means they are free from chemicals and substances known to be harmful to human (and pet) health. This certification is important because lots of durable performance fabrics include materials like polyester, which can be toxic, especially if treated with chemicals like flame-retardants or stain-resisters.
If you want to go a more natural route, leather and faux leather are favorites among pet owners. This is because leather is meant to be lived in—and it lasts a long time. Distressed leather looks intentional over time (whereas distressed linen can fray or rip because it becomes too thin). Scratches from nails or thick paw pads add character to leather and faux leather and blend together over time. Cats also have a hard time digging their claws into it and you can wipe up spills very easily on the smooth surface.
American Leather says pigmented, or dyed, leather is actually more durable than pure aniline, or minimally processed, and naked leathers. If given the option, go with leather that has been finished with a high pigment as it better protects the leather over time.
Microfiber velvets (not cotton velvets) are also great for pet parents, especially cat owners. Anyone with a cat knows that fabrics with lots of tiny spaces for cats to sink their claws into are very bad ideas. All it takes is one scratching session and your couch turns into the favorite scratching post. Microfiber velvet is seamless and doesn’t provide as much opportunity to dig in. The same thought process applies to any tightly woven fabrics.
Tamara Leicester, the principal designer at Tamara Heather Interior Design, recommends cat owners choose very dense weaves when debating upholstery. “If you can see the individual threads of the fabric or pull them even slightly with your fingernail, the fabric weave is not dense enough,” she writes on her blog. Heather says avoid linen, silk and most cottons (if you go with cotton, definitely invest in a high-quality stain protector).
Finally, wooden chair and bed frame legs are begging to be chewed up by new puppies. Opting for metal or stainless steel prevents your pup from leaving teeth marks on every chair in your house.
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