What is the Best Type of Furniture for Pets?
You may have heard the old joke about furniture in homes with pets: “Of course it’s got dog hair on it… that’s why they call it FURniture.” Groan… but the reality is, many pet owners want to share the comforts of home with their cats and dogs. What is the best type of furniture for pets? In this article we’ll explore some great options.
Finding good outdoor pet-friendly furniture begins with knowing your pet(s) and your lifestyle.
To keep your outdoor furniture looking good year after year, look for hard surfaces; or if you want cushioned furniture, make sure it can stand up to scratches from paws - especially if you have an indoor/outdoor cat that likes to use your furniture as a scratching post.
Outdoor furniture is designed to be much tougher than indoor furniture and so it is inherently pet-friendly. With that said, there are considerations such as your pet’s age and size, when it comes to choosing furniture to share with your furry friend.
Let’s talk about keeping furniture clean. Outdoor furniture that isn’t cushioned isn’t a problem to clean - just brush it off or hose it off as needed. But when it comes to upholstered chaise lounges, benches, dining chairs and outdoor couches, you want to be sure to choose seat cushions and pillows with removable and washable covers.
Claws can still do some damage to outdoor fabrics (which are almost universally synthetics) and you will get muddy paw prints, but since outdoor fabrics are extremely tough as well as easily washable, it’s not as big of a as with indoor upholstery.
To keep outdoor upholstery from soaking up pet odors, you’ll need to periodically leave the inner parts of the cushion (the part that contains the filler) out in the sun for a couple of days to air them out and let the UV light sterilize them. This is a good time to deep-clean the outer covers as well. If a couple of days in the sun doesn’t eliminate the musty dog smell - and the cushions themselves aren’t washable - then it’s unfortunately time for new ones. Most of the time, it just isn’t worth the hassle of taking the filler out, washing it, letting it dry, putting it back into its cover, and then putting the whole thing back into the outer cover.
Do not consider outdoor furniture where the cushions don’t have an inner “sleeve” or pillow that contains the cushioned filler. Otherwise, you’ll have a constant battle of what to do with loose filler every time you need to deep-clean the cushions!
Fitted patio furniture covers can also add a layer of protection, though covers won’t be as attractive as uncovered furniture. If your pets shed a lot, consider getting furniture that matches their fur color as closely as possible to avoid the “FUR-niture” look.
Furniture Styles Pets Love
Most pets love to treat human furniture as their own. Modern pool furniture and patio furniture can be very luxurious, and therefore attractive to your pets.
If your pet is small or if you have an older pet that is having a bit of trouble getting up onto regular couches and chairs, go for lower furniture. Imagine a mid-century modern outdoor furniture setup, with long, sleek lines and couches and lounge chairs that are lower to the ground. The mid-century modern style is still luxuriously upholstered but with firmer cushions - which can be more, or less, comfortable for your pet (some pets love soft furnishings while others prefer to lie on the ground).
Elderly pets who have trouble even getting up on a low-slung outdoor couch may be better off with their own cushioned outdoor dog bed; or, a series of oversized outdoor pillows that both you and your pet can lounge on.
If your pet has had accidents on the furniture in the past, invest in some pee-proof covers. These can be smaller, to fit the space your pet normally likes to take a nap - or larger, to cover the entire piece of furniture.
Durability is key - both the structure of the furniture, as well as any cushions. You’ll be well rewarded by choosing the beefiest, toughest materials available - a great investment in long-term enjoyment.
Final Thoughts: Choose Outdoor Furniture for Indoor Use
Today’s outdoor furniture can be stunningly beautiful and there is no reason you can’t enjoy it indoors, too.
The fabrics will reward you with peace of mind… outdoor furniture is typically cheaper than indoor furniture… and it will impart a casual, almost staycation-like vibe to your indoor living areas. Accent outdoor furniture with a few cool pillows and throws, and chances are that nobody will even guess that you’re using patio furniture in your home.