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14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry Friends
March 27, 2018
14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry Friends
We love our pets, and our pets love us. Unfortunately, that love doesn't always translate to our furniture, which can take a beating courtesy of dogs, cats and other critters we welcome into our homes. When buying furniture, it's wise to keep your pets in mind by looking for home furnishings that are as pet-friendly as possible. Read on for 14 tips for buying furniture that'll stand up to your furry friends.
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Match Your Pet's Colour
1/14Match Your Pet's Colour
1/14Photo Credit: Thomas Lillis IV/FLickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
It may sound crazy, but think about buying couches and chairs that are the same colour as your pet. That way, you won't be obsessing over every piece of fur they shed on the sofa, because you won't notice it — it'll blend right in (until you get around to vacuuming it up, that is).Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsMatch Your Pet's Colour
PHOTO 1 of 14READ LESS -It may sound crazy, but think about buying couches and chairs that are the same colour as your pet. That way, you won't be obsessing over every piece of fur they shed on the sofa, because you won't notice it — it'll blend right in (until you get around to vacuuming it up, that is).Photo Credit: Thomas Lillis IV/FLickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Splurge on Leather
2/14Splurge on Leather
2/14Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: static.pexels.com
It may cost more, but leather furniture has a lot of advantages for pet owners. If Fido makes a mess, it can be easily wiped off and cleaned up without worries of leaving a stain — something that can't be said about most fabrics. (But for cats with claws, leather can be torn to shreds, so best to avoid it if you're expecting a litter of kittens.)Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsSplurge on Leather
PHOTO 2 of 14READ LESS -It may cost more, but leather furniture has a lot of advantages for pet owners. If Fido makes a mess, it can be easily wiped off and cleaned up without worries of leaving a stain — something that can't be said about most fabrics. (But for cats with claws, leather can be torn to shreds, so best to avoid it if you're expecting a litter of kittens.)Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: static.pexels.com
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Look for Zippers
3/14Look for Zippers
3/14Photo Credit: Stella Dauer/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Does that sofa you have your eye on have zippers on the cushions? It really should — zippers on the smaller cushions and larger seat cushions allows the opportunity to remove any sections that may become accidentally soiled and clean them individually. You can even take the covers to the dry cleaners, something that would be impossible with a couch that didn't have zippers.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsLook for Zippers
PHOTO 3 of 14READ LESS -Does that sofa you have your eye on have zippers on the cushions? It really should — zippers on the smaller cushions and larger seat cushions allows the opportunity to remove any sections that may become accidentally soiled and clean them individually. You can even take the covers to the dry cleaners, something that would be impossible with a couch that didn't have zippers.Photo Credit: Stella Dauer/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Synthetic vs. Natural
4/14Synthetic vs. Natural
4/14Photo Credit: NCJW Home Assignments/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
You may love the look and texture of natural fibres on a sofa, but think again. Stains and smells tend to linger in natural fabric, while wool has an unfortunate tendency to wrap animal hair into the weave of its own fabric, making cleanup a daunting, nearly impossible chore. Synthetic fibres, on the other hand, are typically non-absorbent, preventing liquid accidents to penetrate so you have time to clean before it turns into a nasty stain.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsSynthetic vs. Natural
PHOTO 4 of 14READ LESS -You may love the look and texture of natural fibres on a sofa, but think again. Stains and smells tend to linger in natural fabric, while wool has an unfortunate tendency to wrap animal hair into the weave of its own fabric, making cleanup a daunting, nearly impossible chore. Synthetic fibres, on the other hand, are typically non-absorbent, preventing liquid accidents to penetrate so you have time to clean before it turns into a nasty stain.Photo Credit: NCJW Home Assignments/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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In the Bedroom
5/14In the Bedroom
5/14Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
When furnishing your bedroom, make sure you get machine-washable bedding that won't become worn and frayed with weekly washings. In addition, a thick, durable mattress pad will go a long way in protecting your mattress from any pet-related accidents.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsIn the Bedroom
PHOTO 5 of 14READ LESS -When furnishing your bedroom, make sure you get machine-washable bedding that won't become worn and frayed with weekly washings. In addition, a thick, durable mattress pad will go a long way in protecting your mattress from any pet-related accidents.Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
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Add Throw Pillows
6/14Add Throw Pillows
6/14Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
Add a few throw pillows to your favourite sofa or chair — because it tends to deter pets from sitting on said sofa or chair. Plus, if a pet does make a mess, the pillow is likely to incur the brunt of the damage, and it's a no brainer that a cushion cover is easier to clean than an entire couch.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsAdd Throw Pillows
PHOTO 6 of 14READ LESS -Add a few throw pillows to your favourite sofa or chair — because it tends to deter pets from sitting on said sofa or chair. Plus, if a pet does make a mess, the pillow is likely to incur the brunt of the damage, and it's a no brainer that a cushion cover is easier to clean than an entire couch.Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
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Choose Sturdy Designs
7/14Choose Sturdy Designs
7/14Photo Credit: Kristin "Shoe" Shoemaker/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
If you have a larger dog (or dogs), you're asking for trouble if you go with fine-lined, flimsy furniture. Instead, look for sturdy pieces that can accommodate a rowdy puppy or two jumping around on it until collapsing in an exhausted heap.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsChoose Sturdy Designs
PHOTO 7 of 14READ LESS -If you have a larger dog (or dogs), you're asking for trouble if you go with fine-lined, flimsy furniture. Instead, look for sturdy pieces that can accommodate a rowdy puppy or two jumping around on it until collapsing in an exhausted heap.Photo Credit: Kristin "Shoe" Shoemaker/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Patterns
8/14Patterns
8/14Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
Patterned furniture may help to camouflage pet hair, dirt of stains caused by your four-legged friend. If your decor lends itself, look for a design with small blocks of pattern, which may be able to disguise any pet damage.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsPatterns
PHOTO 8 of 14READ LESS -Patterned furniture may help to camouflage pet hair, dirt of stains caused by your four-legged friend. If your decor lends itself, look for a design with small blocks of pattern, which may be able to disguise any pet damage.Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
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Pet Furniture
9/14Pet Furniture
9/14Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
One great way to keep animals off your furniture is to get them some comfy, inviting furniture of their own. Investing in a plush pet bed could discourage a dog or cat from climbing up on couches and chairs — especially if the alternative you've provided is even more comfortable than where you sit.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsPet Furniture
PHOTO 9 of 14READ LESS -One great way to keep animals off your furniture is to get them some comfy, inviting furniture of their own. Investing in a plush pet bed could discourage a dog or cat from climbing up on couches and chairs — especially if the alternative you've provided is even more comfortable than where you sit.Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
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Rugs... Not Carpets
10/14Rugs... Not Carpets
10/14Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: static.pexels.com
Wall-to-wall carpets and pets are a bad combination. Accidents will happen, and if you're enough of a stickler that you'll want to get your carpets professionally cleaned whenever they do, you're on a tough, expensive road. The best bet is hardwood flooring (or some other type of non-carpeted surface), which you can dress up with a rug — just make sure that rug is easy to clean.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsRugs... Not Carpets
PHOTO 10 of 14READ LESS -Wall-to-wall carpets and pets are a bad combination. Accidents will happen, and if you're enough of a stickler that you'll want to get your carpets professionally cleaned whenever they do, you're on a tough, expensive road. The best bet is hardwood flooring (or some other type of non-carpeted surface), which you can dress up with a rug — just make sure that rug is easy to clean.Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: static.pexels.com
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Durable Tables
11/14Durable Tables
11/14Photo Credit: Matthew Ruttledge/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
Dainty, finicky coffee tables and end tables are not the greatest idea when you've got a tail-wagging, excitable dog living in your home. When selecting tables, it's better to go with something strong and sturdy that isn't likely to be knocked over by that wagging tail.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsDurable Tables
PHOTO 11 of 14READ LESS -Dainty, finicky coffee tables and end tables are not the greatest idea when you've got a tail-wagging, excitable dog living in your home. When selecting tables, it's better to go with something strong and sturdy that isn't likely to be knocked over by that wagging tail.Photo Credit: Matthew Ruttledge/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Washable Throw Blankets
12/14Washable Throw Blankets
12/14Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
When picking up some charming throw blankets to accent your new furniture, make sure they're not made of a fabric so fussy it will be ruined if you toss it into the washing machine. With a pet in your home, it's wise to make sure that any blankets are durable and machine-washable.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsWashable Throw Blankets
PHOTO 12 of 14READ LESS -When picking up some charming throw blankets to accent your new furniture, make sure they're not made of a fabric so fussy it will be ruined if you toss it into the washing machine. With a pet in your home, it's wise to make sure that any blankets are durable and machine-washable.Photo Credit: Pexels.comSource: www.pexels.com
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Fabrics to Avoid
13/14Fabrics to Avoid
13/14Photo Credit: Housing Works Thrift Shops/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
One of the wisest things to do when shopping for pet-friendly furniture is to steer clear of such fabrics as velvet, tweed, chenille, silk and other natural materials. They may look stunning in the showroom, but fabrics such as these apt to become stained and damaged courtesy of pets.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsFabrics to Avoid
PHOTO 13 of 14READ LESS -One of the wisest things to do when shopping for pet-friendly furniture is to steer clear of such fabrics as velvet, tweed, chenille, silk and other natural materials. They may look stunning in the showroom, but fabrics such as these apt to become stained and damaged courtesy of pets.Photo Credit: Housing Works Thrift Shops/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
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Slipcovers
14/14Slipcovers
14/14Photo Credit: booizzy/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
If the budget is tight, instead of buying a new couch consider breathing new life into your existing couch by having a durable, washable (and, of course, attractive) slipcover made. If Fido makes a mess, cleanup is a breeze when all you have to do is remove the slipcover and toss it in the washing machine.Decorating14 Tips on Buying Pet-Friendly Furniture That'll Stand Up to Your Furry FriendsSlipcovers
PHOTO 14 of 14READ LESS -If the budget is tight, instead of buying a new couch consider breathing new life into your existing couch by having a durable, washable (and, of course, attractive) slipcover made. If Fido makes a mess, cleanup is a breeze when all you have to do is remove the slipcover and toss it in the washing machine.Photo Credit: booizzy/Flickr Creative CommonsSource: www.flickr.com
