Which sofa to choose when you have pets?

Having pets brings with it certain decorating issues, like making sure you have a pet-friendly sofa. Luckily for you, you don't have to compromise your design furniture desires just because you have a pet. You can choose a sofa you like that's pet-friendly so you can snuggle up with them on your sofa.

In this article, NV GALLERY gives you all the tips you need to find pet-friendly sofas. Taking into account several criteria: scratch and stain resistance, choosing the ideal fabrics, and more.

What to look for when choosing a pet-friendly sofa

To start with, let's take a look at what makes a sofa pet-friendly. There are several features to keep in mind when looking for your sofa.

Scratch resistance

Because of pets' claws and nails, one of the first things you need to pay attention to when choosing a pet-friendly sofa material is that it be scratch-resistant. Some materials allow you to solve this problem completely.

Ease of hair removal

Chances are your pet will shed hair or fur on your furniture, especially in summer. For this reason, you should choose a tightly woven fabric (or one with no weave at all) that won't trap pet hair and is easy to clean.

Stain resistance

Pets can easily soil a sofa with their paws, especially if they often go outside. For this reason, you need to choose a sofa that is stain-resistant or at least easy enough to clean.

The best materials for pet-friendly sofas

Now that we've covered some of the features you need to keep in mind, let's give you the best materials to choose from when selecting your sofa. Some materials are excellent for odor resistance, others for scratch resistance. Bear in mind the specificity of your pet, as the best material for you may differ from that for someone with different pet needs. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. So you'll need to decide what's best for your personal situation.

High-performance fabrics

Performance fabrics such as crypton, olefin and sunbrella are designed to be highly durable and easy to clean. Among these performance fabrics, we highly recommend crypton for its high resistance to scratches, stains and odors, the perfect combination for pets. Although very strong and durable, crypton fabric remains soft and comfortable. It also comes in a range of colors and patterns, so you don't have to sacrifice style for function. Olefin and sunbrella are generally used for outdoor furniture, but can be used indoors if you're looking for a hard-wearing material. Olefin may be a better option for pets, as it is more scratch-resistant and softer to the touch than sunbrella fabric.

Velvet

Velvet is an excellent choice for stylish, pet-friendly furniture, but with a few caveats. The material tends to attract pet hair, but hairs are often easy to remove. What's more, the absence of a weave means that pet claws and nails are unlikely to cling to the sofa. High-quality polyester velvet is stain-resistant and more durable than other sofa fabrics.

Microfiber

Over the past decade, microfiber has become a popular material, as its synthetic material is excellent for stain resistance. It's also difficult for liquids to seep through, making it a simple fabric to clean. Although not as soft as velvet, microfiber remains a soft, comfortable fabric for a sofa. With a microfiber sofa, your pet's claws are less likely to cling to the tight weave of this material, and its smooth surface is simple to vacuum to remove pet hair.

Styling tips for pet-friendly sofas

Sofa material isn't the only important consideration when buying pet-friendly furniture. The style of your sofa can also influence the ease with which you can clean up hair and dirt. Below are a few styling suggestions that can make your sofa more pet-friendly.

Choose colors and textures that hide pet hair

If it suits the design and colors of your room, try as far as possible to find sofa materials that match the color of your pet's fur. This way, the sofa can better conceal the pet's fur between cleanings. You can also find textured fabrics, which hide fur or stains better than plain, smooth fabrics.

Opt for a slipcovered sofa

Slipcovered sofas are an excellent choice, because when your sofa is dirty, all you have to do is remove the cover and put it in the washing machine. With a minimum of effort and time, your sofa will look fresh and new. If you have hard-to-remove stains that won't come out of your slipcover, you can simply replace it with a new one.

Choose easy-to-clean cushions

In general, removable cushions are easier to clean, especially if the fabric can be removed and washed separately. Some removable cushions are reversible, allowing you to turn the cushion over in the event of stains or scratches in the material.

Now that you know all about pet-friendly sofas, we'll share a few final tips on how to protect your sofas:

Use a protective product to repel liquids and other stains. Buy a cover for your sofa. Brush and groom your pet regularly to reduce shedding. Trim your pet's nails regularly. Combine your sofa with footstools or kennels to avoid letting them settle on your sofa.