How to Keep Your Furniture Stylish and Fur-Family Approved
Welcoming a pet into your home means more love, more laughter—and, let’s be honest, a little more mess. Scratches, shedding, the occasional accident... it all comes with the territory. But don’t worry: you don’t have to choose between a stylish living room and a space that works for your furry companions.
At Novik Upholstery and Restoration, we’re here to help you find the perfect upholstery fabric that’s both pet-friendly and design-forward. Whether you’re dealing with an enthusiastic pup or a curious cat, the right material can make all the difference.
What Makes a Fabric Pet-Friendly?
When you're choosing upholstery for a pet-loving home, three things matter most:
✔️ Durability
✔️ Stain resistance
✔️ Easy maintenance
Let’s take a look at some fabric types that check those boxes—and still look amazing in your space.
Microfiber: Built Tough for Busy Homes
Microfiber is one of the go-to choices we recommend at NUR for pet owners. It’s tightly woven, so claws are less likely to cause damage, and it holds up beautifully to everyday wear. It also repels dirt and is super easy to spot-clean. Bonus: pet hair doesn't stick as stubbornly as it does with some other fabrics.
Crypton: Stain Shield in Fabric Form
This is a true superhero fabric for homes with pets. Crypton is engineered to resist moisture, odors, and stains—so those “oops” moments aren’t the end of the world. If you want a no-fuss, high-performance fabric that still looks upscale, this one’s a winner. At Novik Upholstery and Restoration, we love using Crypton for families with kids and pets.
Performance Fabrics: Style Meets Strength
Performance fabrics are designed to handle real life—spills, scratches, and all—without sacrificing style. You can find them in every pattern, texture, and color imaginable, which means you won’t have to compromise on your interior vision just because you have a dog that sheds or a cat who thinks the sofa is a scratching post.
Leather & Faux Leather: Easy to Wipe, Easy to Love
Leather and faux leather can be great options for pet-friendly homes, especially when easy cleaning is a priority. Pet hair doesn’t get trapped in the surface and can usually be wiped or vacuumed away in seconds. Spills and muddy paw prints are also much easier to handle than with many woven fabrics.
Genuine leather is durable and can develop a beautiful, lived-in character over time. However, it can still be scratched by sharp claws, so it may not be the best choice for pets that love to dig or scratch furniture.
Faux leather offers a similar look, is generally easy to maintain, and can be a more budget-friendly option. Quality matters, though—lower-quality faux leather may crack or peel over time.
What to Keep in Mind When Picking Fabric for Pets
Here are a few helpful tips from the NUR team when choosing the best fabric for your pet-friendly home:
- Choose Durability Over Delicacy
Avoid fragile fabrics like silk or velvet if your pets love to scratch or jump. Microfiber, canvas, or performance materials are much better suited to daily wear.
- Stick with Tight Weaves
The tighter the weave, the harder it is for claws to catch. Fabrics like twill or microfiber work well; skip loosely woven textures like bouclé or chenille.
- Think Color (and Fur Color)
If your dog or cat sheds a lot, consider a fabric that’s similar in color to their fur—it’ll help hide shedding between cleanings.
- Stain- and Odor-Resistant Finishes Are Your Friend
Some fabrics come pre-treated to resist stains and odors—but even if your favorite one doesn’t, Novik Upholstery and Restoration can apply a protective treatment to almost any material to make it pet-proof and worry-free.
A Quick Note on Fabrics to Avoid
Not every fabric is pet-approved. At NUR, we recommend staying away from:
🚫 Silk – Gorgeous, but delicate and easily ruined by claws or spills
🚫 Suede – Can stain easily and isn’t very forgiving when it comes to pet messes
🚫 Embroidered or Textured Fabrics – Raised threads and patterns can snag quickly and are harder to clean
Final Thoughts from the NUR Team
While no fabric is completely immune to curious claws or muddy paws, choosing the right one can make your life a lot easier—and your home a lot cleaner. At Novik Upholstery and Restoration, we specialize in helping you find beautiful, functional fabrics that work for your lifestyle and your pets.
And remember: if you fall in love with a fabric that isn’t pet-proof, we’ve got solutions! We can treat most fabrics with a protective finish to make them stain- and moisture-resistant—so you don’t have to compromise on comfort or style.
Need help choosing the right fabric for your next project? Reach out to NUR—we’ll help you make a home that’s stylish, durable, and totally pet-approved.