The Best Pet-Friendly Furniture and Decor You Can Buy Right Now

The love that pet owners feel for their four-legged friends is so big, it’s sometimes hard to contain. The cuddle sessions, the endless pictures of them dressed in cute outfits, the doe-eyed looks you get when they’re begging for some of your dinner — there are tons of precious moments involved in being a pet parent. But as every pet parent can attest, some of the not-so-cute moments happen when their paws, claws, fur — and worse — do damage to our furniture. Eek!

Pet owners need to do extensive research when it comes to shopping for furniture. It’s easy to assume a dark-colored couch is perfect for hiding those muddy claw marks, but what if you live with a husky whose snow-white fur sheds a lot? That jute rug might be perfect for your boho-themed living room, but can you really trust that your cat won’t claw at it? There’s so much to consider, it can easily get overwhelming! To simplify things, we’ve broken down what materials pet owners should look for when shopping for furniture, along with some stylish, durable suggestions.

A chief concern among pet owners is those dreaded stains. Whether they come from drool, urine, or muddy paws, a stain will show up on your sofa at some point. Ultimately, you’ll want to search for fabrics that are durable and can stand up to the wear and tear that pets tend to cause. Generally speaking, synthetic fabrics like polyester and microfiber are excellent for pet parents because of their durability and how easy they are to clean. Leather and faux leather sofas are a great option as well because of how resistant the fabric is to scratches or punctures caused by furry friends’ claws. Beware, however, of aniline leather, which is more susceptible to scratches than other treated types of leather. You’ll also be better off with fabrics that are tightly woven, so delicate materials like chenille, linen, and silk probably won’t work. High-maintenance fabrics like velvet (except for synthetic velvet) and tweed should be avoided as well, since your pet’s hair will stick to it like velcro. You might also appreciate a sofa with removable covers that you can easily throw in the wash.

Jute rugs, shag rugs, woven rugs —there are so many options when it comes to rug materials and construction techniques, we wouldn’t blame you for not knowing which one is appropriate for your furry friend. Here’s a simple starting point, though: If you live with pets, you cannot go wrong with a flat-weave or low-pile rug. Flat-weave rugs are woven on a loom and contain no knots. Because of their simple construction, they’re very durable, great for high-traffic areas of the home, and hold up well to pets that make the occasional mess. Low-pile rugs work simply by virtue of having short fibers. Since there’s not much depth for dirt and stains to sink into, low-pile rugs are easy to spot-treat when stains accumulate. If you prefer a rug that you can deep clean regularly, there are tons of washable rugs on the market that pet parents are loving right now. Beautiful as they are, jute and sisal rugs can be tricky for pet owners — deciding on one really comes down to the type of pet you have. While they are easy to clean, the natural fibers in these rugs can snag onto sharp claws causing premature damage. When in doubt, choose a reliable indoor/outdoor option. If it can resist rain, sleet, snow, and sun damage, it can resist a few pet stains just the same.

Similar to sofas and accent chairs, you’ll want to look for ottomans made from durable and spill-resistant materials like polyester, leather, or faux leather. When your dog needs a place to hang out or your cat feels like being perched up high, the ottoman is likely where they’ll leap onto, so pick one with fabric that repels hair and stains.