We all want the best for the furriest member of our fam, and that means having a comfy spot for both of you (*ahem*) on the couch. Purchasing a brand new sofa just for your fluffy companion to leave dirty marks doesn’t sound great, but what if your sofa could stand up to shedding, muddy paws, and those mystery wet spots? We’re diving in to show you what to look for when purchasing a new investment sofa or sectional for your home. Read on for a handy guide to creating a durable (and beautiful!) pet-friendly living space that accommodates both of your preferences and your pet’s needs.
So Many Options: How To Choose A Fabric or Leather For Your Sofa
Your color scheme
Strategic color and pattern choices can help camouflage pet hair and minor wear between cleanings. It helps to match or complement your pet's coloring when selecting fabric for your sofa. Light-colored fabrics work well with light-colored pets, while darker fabrics help hide hair from darker pets.
Also consider that patterns and textures can be your friend in disguising dirt and minor stains. Small patterns, tweeds, and textured fabrics are more forgiving than solid colors — especially light ones.
Pet-friendly Upholstery: Fabric Fiber Content + Stain Resistance
Generally speaking, synthetic fabrics like polyester and olefin are easier to clean, often allowing many types of stains to be blotted away with minimal fuss. Natural fabrics without any treatment are more prone to forever spots, but can age beautifully with the proper protection and maintenance. Leathers are also a durable option depending on your pet and comfort with natural patina —more on that below.
At Medley, we’ve split up our fabrics into four categories:
- Synthetic fabrics with stain resistance: these engineered fabrics with a plant-based stain-resistant treatment repel liquids and resist absorption, perfect for high-traffic areas and homes with pets or clumsy occupants. These fabrics are the most durable option and offer various color choices for those looking for a cleaner, healthier home. For pet owners who need extra peace of mind, consider a synthetic choice with added stain resistance for your sofa or sectional.
- Synthetic fabrics without stain resistance: highly durable workhorses that offer good stain resistance. While they require slightly more immediate attention for accidents, they’re still remarkably forgiving and frequently have fun texture to provide your space an elevated and layered design aesthetic. It’s good to note, fabric with loops or higher texture can be a hooking hazard for cats, dogs, and animals with claws. While these two fabrics are great for layering texture, you’ll have to think about your pet’s lifestyle and habits.
- Natural fabrics with stain resistance: a great balance of organic texture and practical protection, these natural fibers with added stain resistance offer moderate protection against everyday accidents. They’ll forgive minor marks when promptly and properly addressed and a tight weave to prevent absorption in the first place. Fun fact: Larkspur is also machine washable!
- Natural fabrics without stain resistance: untreated natural fibers come in beautiful textures and breathable qualities – but with great beauty comes great responsibility! These fabrics need the most attentive care, and are ideal for spaces where marks and spills are less likely to occur. These fabrics are generally best for households who have a four feet on the floor rule in place.
Fabric Weave + High Rub Counts
Tight weaves are your best bet for dog or cat-proofing (or both!) your living room: they’re a superhero fabric for pet owners because their densely packed fibers create a smooth surface that resists claw snags and reduces trapped pet hair. The compact structure makes vacuuming fur and dander much easier, while also standing up better to the daily gymnastics routine your pets perform on your furniture. Plus, tight weaves resist moisture better than loose fabrics, providing stronger protection against spills and accidents that come with sharing your home with furry family members.
In addition, look for a high rub count which indicates a fabric can withstand thousands of cycles of pet-related wear without showing signs of fiber damage or pilling. Psst, all of our pet recommended fabrics are 100,000 double rubs and higher!
Machine Washable
Sometimes our pets surprise us by enjoying rain puddles then running laps on and off our sofas in the middle of the night. For these special occasions, you may want to consider a machine washable sofa with removable cushion covers. With upholstery fabric, we always suggest spot cleaning first, but when there are too many spots to deal with and machine washing is necessary, be sure to follow our care instructions and wash on cold. Medley offers several machine washable collections to choose from:
Fabric + Pet Shedding
If you own a fluff ball who sheds all the time, consider leather upholstery—a great choice because you can simply wipe off pet hair and dirt. Keep in mind, over time leather develops a patina, so embracing it means welcoming these scuffs and scratches as part of its natural character. Beware that leather can tear, so it may not be the best option for kitties or pups who enjoy playing with their furniture instead lounging on it.
Fabric Without PFAS
Testing for PFAS is part of our mission-driven approach to source safe, more environmentally-friendly materials that are better for your home and pets. As we bring on new fabric and leather collections, we require manufacturers to confirm with 3rd-party testing that their materials do not have added PFAS. As an additional measure, we also submit our fabrics for independent 3rd-party lab testing to confirm our fabrics are non-detect for PFAS. You can snuggle up knowing you and your best friend resting clean.
Fabric Choice Conclusion
You’ll have to decide what works best for your pet, afterall, they are unique! For easy reference, you can find our most durable, easy-to-clean fabrics and leathers by spotting our “pet-friendly” icon on our fabric samples page. Be sure to hover over each icon to understand which pet-friendly characteristics each fabric or leather offers. Next, order free samples and test them out in your space alongside your best (furry) friend.
Beauty From Within: Durability and Construction
What’s not in your furniture is just as important as what is. That's why Medley prioritizes natural and eco-certified materials that are exceptionally durable to boot.
To know if your sofa will really hold up, start from the inside out. All frames in Medley’s sofas and sectionals are made with domestic, kiln-dried, FSC certified wood that is corner blocked for strength and stability. Plus, each comes with a lifetime warranty against cracking, breaking, or warping. That’s a win for even the busiest of households and biggest of pups.
Now that we’ve got the frame down, we can chat about cushions. For those with small dogs or cats, you might have just accepted that your back sofa cushions have a permanent dip. Our foams and fillings are known for their comfort, responsiveness, and ability to retain shape over time: no sagging here! With Medley, you can choose from GOLS certified natural latex or CertiPUR-US® certified poly foam. Both options are wonderfully supportive and sumptuously soft, and never, ever saggy.
Long Live Your Sofa: Maintenance and Care Tips
Even the most pet-friendly furniture requires regular maintenance to maintain its glory. First, establish regular cleaning routines, like weekly vacuuming to remove pet hair, and a monthly deep cleaning of upholstered pieces. An upholstery cleaner is a good investment if you have a pet who leaves dirt or marks on your sofa or sectional. Our product care page provides all kinds of helpful info for spot cleaning and keeping your furniture looking its best.
Annnd, sometimes you need a little something extra to keep the dirty paws at bay. Throws and small pet beds might be your best bet with a chaotic pet. This easy DIY solution over your pet’s favorite cushion can help stretch time in between cleanings. Lastly, for general longevity, it helps to rotate cushions and covers regularly to ensure even wear and maintain the appearance of your furniture over time.
This all goes to show: living with pets doesn't have to mean sacrificing style, comfort, or better materials in your home. With the right furniture choices and design decisions, creating the perfect pet-proof family cuddle spot is a piece of cake (and a piece of chicken to others).
