Pet Friendly Furniture: How to Pet-Proof Your Living Room

Est. Reading Time: 5 Mins

Your living room is the heart of your home—a place to relax, unwind, and spend quality time with your loved ones, including your furry family members. However, as every pet owner knows, keeping your furniture in pristine condition can be a challenge. Claw marks, fur accumulation, and the occasional accident can take a toll on your sofa, chairs, and rugs.

At La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston, with the inclusion of Pet-Friendly Fabrics in our selection, we frequently assist pet owners in finding durable, stylish, and pet-friendly furniture.

Magaly Del Castillo, a seasoned interior designer at La-Z-Boy Cyrville, understands these concerns firsthand. As both a designer and a pet owner, she shares expert advice on how to choose the right furniture and materials to keep your home looking beautiful while accommodating your pets.

In this article, we’ll walk you through five essential steps to pet-proof your living room so you can enjoy a stylish and stress-free space.

Key Takeaways:

The best pet-friendly furniture is made from durable, stain-resistant fabrics like iClean™ technology and tightly woven materials.
Leather can be a good option for certain pets, but suede and microfiber may not hold up well.
Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed and providing scratch-friendly alternatives can help prevent furniture damage.
Design choices like color coordination with your pet and removable cushion covers can make maintenance easier.
Investing in pet-specific furniture and repellents can help keep pets off the couch.

In This Article…

Choose Pet-Friendly Fabrics & Upholstery
How to Stop Cats from Scratching Your Furniture
How to Minimize Pet Fur & Shedding On Your Furniture
How to Keep Your Pets Safe Around Furniture
Using Extra Measures
FAQs

Choosing Pet-Friendly Fabrics & Upholstery

The best way to protect your furniture from pet damage is to select durable, pet-friendly fabrics. Some materials are naturally resistant to stains, scratches, and pet hair, while others may attract fur or fray under claws.

Best Pet-Friendly Upholstery Options:

iClean™ Fabric: La-Z-Boy’s innovative performance fabric repels stains, making cleanup a breeze. Magaly explains, “iClean surrounds each fiber with a protective barrier, preventing spills from turning into stains.”
Leather: High-quality leather is resistant to fur and stains. While cat claws may puncture the surface, they won’t tear through it. If your cat isn’t prone to scratching, leather can be an excellent low-maintenance choice.
Tightly Woven Fabrics: Avoid loose-weave materials that can snag on claws. Instead, choose tightly woven fabrics that are smooth and easy to clean.

Fabrics to Avoid:

Microfiber: While some believe microfiber is a good option, Magaly advises against it: “It attracts pet hair and dust and is very difficult to clean.”
Natural Fibres (Linen, Cotton, Wool): These absorbent materials stain easily and can be difficult to maintain with pets.

How to Stop Cats from Scratching Your Furniture

Cats have an instinct to scratch, and while training them to stop can be challenging, there are ways to redirect their behaviour.

According to Dr. Glenys Hughes from the Ottawa Humane Society, "Scratching is an essential feline trait. Cats have a strong urge to mark their territory and condition their claws. Use positive reinforcement to train them to scratch cat trees or posts."

Ways to Prevent Scratching On Furniture

Provide Alternative Scratching Options: Invest in scratching posts and pads to satisfy your cat’s instincts.
Choose Smooth Upholstery: Textured fabrics, such as tweed or knits, are more tempting for cats to scratch. Instead, opt for smooth surfaces like leather or tightly woven synthetic blends.
Keep Nails Trimmed: Regular grooming reduces the risk of claw damage on your furniture.
Use Scratch Deterrents: Pet repellent sprays with citrus scents (available at pet stores) can discourage scratching. Some pet owners also find success using double-sided tape or aluminum foil on the areas their cat frequently scratches.

How to Minimize Pet Fur & Shedding On Furniture

Even if your pet doesn’t scratch, shedding is inevitable. While daily brushing helps, your furniture choice can also make a difference.

Match Your Upholstery to Your Pet’s Fur: If you have a black pet, avoid light-colored furniture, and vice versa. This helps camouflage fur between cleanings.
Textured & Patterned Fabrics: These can help hide fur, but they may also be more challenging to clean.
Invest in the Right Cleaning Tools: Magaly recommends The Chom Chom Roller, which has rave reviews for picking up pet hair.

How to Keep Your Pets Safe Around Furniture

Your pet’s safety is just as important as protecting your furniture. Some living room furniture, especially recliners and motion sofas, can pose a risk.

If you own a reclining chair or sofa, ensure your pet isn’t underneath when closing the footrest. "Only La-Z-Boy power reclining furniture has a patented dual-locking leg rest system that stops when it senses pressure," Magaly explains.

To learn more about the Safety Measures in La-Z-Boy Furniture, take a look at this article.

Pets also love perching near windows, which can lead to furniture damage. If possible, avoid placing furniture directly in front of windows to minimize wear and tear.

Using Extra Protective Measures

If your pet insists on lounging on the furniture, consider these additional protective measures:

Provide a Cozy Alternative: Invest in a pet bed and place it in their favourite lounging area. Some owners use blankets or extra upholstery fabric to cover high-traffic spots on their sofas.
Limit Access: If possible, keep pets out of certain rooms when you’re not home.
Opt for Removable Cushion Covers: Some furniture brands offer zippered cushion covers that can be removed for cleaning.
Apply a Furniture Protector Spray: Some pet-friendly sprays deter pets from jumping on furniture, while others add an invisible protective layer to fabrics.

La-Z-Boy also offers extra yardage fabric for arm covers, adding an extra layer of protection.

FAQs: Common Pet-Proofing Questions

Can I prevent pet odours from settling into my furniture?

Yes. Choose fabrics with moisture-repellent technology, vacuum regularly, and use an upholstery-safe deodorizer to keep your furniture smelling fresh.

Is it okay to use slipcovers on La-Z-Boy furniture?

Yes. Slipcovers can help extend the life of your furniture and protect against pet damage. Ensure they are made from durable, machine-washable materials.

What’s the best way to clean pet stains off my furniture?

If you have iClean™ fabric, simply blot spills with a clean cloth. For non-treated fabrics, use a mild detergent and water. Avoid harsh chemicals that may damage the upholstery.

What's Next?

After reading this article, you have all the tools for pet-proofing your homet. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, La-Z-Boy has specific fabrics that are tailored to Pet-Friendliness. To learn more about these Pet-Friendly Fabrics, take a look at this article.

Ready to find your next furniture piece? We are happy to help you navigate all the options and tailor your furniture so that it’s right for you at any of our Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston La-Z-Boy locations. You can also book ahead and schedule an appointment with one of our consultants online.

We know that functionality is essential in building a comfortable life, not just a stylish one. That is why we offer complimentary in-home design service should you need help designing the room of your dreams!

To learn more about La-Z-Boy Fabrics, take a look at our comprehensive Fabric Upholstery Buyer’s Guide.