How to Choose a Pet-Friendly Sofa

So, the time has come to start looking for a new sofa. With countless choices out there on fabric, shape, size, style – there can be a lot to consider. And even more so if you’ve got a pet.

Whether you’re a dog or cat person, there are a number of important things to look out for when choosing a sofa that’ll not only benefit you, your needs and your family – but also that of your furry friend. Our four-legged friends need to be as comfortable as we are, but we also need to invest in a sofa that will withstand wear and tear from fur, scratches and staining.

In this guide, we run through a few things to look out for and provide some helpful tips on how to choose a pet-friendly sofa.

1. Go for a Durable Fabric

A leather sofa is an excellent choice for any household with pets. It’s wipe clean and easy to care for, ensuring any spillages or accidents can be taken of quickly but it’s also super durable meaning it can withstand muddy paw prints and general wear and tear. Be sure to browse through our expansive leather sofa range to find out more.

Additionally, pet hair tends to accumulate on top of leather meaning it’s easy to go over with the vacuum with minimal fuss. Unlike fabric sofas, leather couches don’t have a weave and so there is no risk of hair and dust being trapped.

Steer clear of aniline leather sofas though, as these are typically treated with a dye and are soft and supple to the eye, meaning paw marks will show up substantially more than other leather.

2. Distressed Sofas Cover a Multitude of Sins

If your home décor style allows, go for a distressed sofa such as Desig­ner­Sofas4U’­s Vintage Distressed Leather Sofa. Distressed or vintage-inspired style sofas are pre-pigmented and have a protective layer over the hide making them less susceptible to scratches and marks. Plus, any small marks will only add to the distressed look!

3. Opt for Natural Fabrics

Wool or linen sofas are fantastic choices for homes with pets and they’re naturally hypoallergenic so will accumulate a lot less pet hair and dander than other fabric counterparts. Plus, natural fabrics are antimicrobial so they won’t trap any unpleasant or stale pet odours.

Be sure to check out our hugely popular Tweed Wool Chesterfield sofa, available in a wide range of fabrics and colours.

4. Go for Dark Colours or Bright Patterns

It may sound like a no-brainer, but muddy paw prints will stand out like a sore thumb on lighter coloured fabrics and it can be time-consuming to get the stains out. Opt instead for darker colours which can disguise any small marks easier and don’t forget to always protect the couch with some throws which can be easily thrown in the wash when dirty.

Additionally, patterns or bold prints help to mask any stains or marks so consider looking at sofas with bright, bold designs to make a real style statement as well as helping to hide your critters prints. Why not go for the Union Jack Sofa to really recreate that Brit Pop vibe?

It’s worth mentioning that light dog or cat hair will stand out against a darker shade on your sofa, so it’s important to take this into account when choosing a colour.

5. Size Matters!

It’s also worth thinking about the size and shape of your sofa. If you let your furry friends onto the couch with you, then you’ll need one big enough to accommodate both you and them – and when they stretch out to take a cat/dog nap!

The shape of the sofa depends on the make-up of the room; corner sofas are great at providing lots of seats in smaller living rooms where a two- and three-seater would be great if you wanted your own couch to snuggle up on, whilst your pet has theirs.

If your pet is small, you needn’t worry too much about the size of the sofa but for owners with large dogs, remember they can take up to three or four seats when sprawled out!

Need help choosing a pet-friendly sofa? Get in touch with us today and one of our helpful staff will tell you everything you need to know!