What to Look For in a New Couch When You Have Pets
When you are in the market for a new sofa, there are a few factors that go into buying the right one. From the size to the material to the style there is a lot to consider. When you have a pet it gets even more confusing. You have to have the right type of couch that will be suited to having a pet with all the challenges they bring.
Since pets are a part of the family, many owners want them to enjoy some time snuggling on the sofa, too. But, this poses some problems. They smell, shed, and can even end up using it as a toilet, besides other issues. This means that you have to choose the right sofa when you have a pet otherwise it could get ruined.
In this article, we will go over several things to keep in mind when you are shopping for a couch and also have pets at home.
Size of the Sofa
Before we get into an important factor like the material of the upholstery, let’s talk a bit about what size the sofa should be. You can find the perfect upholstery but if the size is wrong it won’t matter.
You’ll have to sort out what kind of a couch you are looking for and how many people and pets it needs to accommodate. For instance, a small couch for bedroom needs to be for three if you want your pooch to enjoy it with you and still have enough room. If you have a family of three and are looking at a couch for the living room, then it should be fit for up to five people if the dog plans to be using it too.
How high the couch sits above the floor should also be considered since small dogs will have trouble jumping onto it. Essentially, the size of the couch needs to match the size of the dog.
The Best Material
Now that you have the size of the couch sorted out, it’s time to consider the best fabric. The upholstery needs to have a couple of functions. It should be easy to clean in case of a mess and also not attract and hold pet hair. At the same time, it should be made from a material that is pleasant for people to sit on and relax.
Leather is the best material for when you have a pet that sheds a lot as the hair doesn’t get stuck on it. Fiber material is the worst as the hair gets stuck in it and it is difficult to vacuum or even brush off. It takes a lot of work to get it out.
Leather, on the other hand, can simply be wiped off and in seconds it is clean and clear of pet hair. The downside is that it is expensive and can be scuffed and even torn by sharp claws as pets climb up on it. Cats that like to use a couch as a scratching post will ruin a leather couch in no time.
The best material to clean is also leather since it is impervious to spills. If a mud-covered dog were to jump on it and get it dirty, it can be wiped off quickly without getting stained. However, once again, fiber upholstery will be very difficult to clean and will likely be stained. A steam cleaner is essential to have if this is the material you choose.
Microfiber is a good choice for material as it doesn’t attract pet hair and can be vacuumed off easily. It doesn’t clean quite as easily as leather, but it is quite durable and is more resistant to scratches that can ruin the look of leather. When it breaks in it is also very comfortable to sit on.
Microfiber is also less susceptible to getting stained in case of an accident on it or a dirty pet climbing onto it before it can be cleaned off.
What to Avoid
It is best to have a couch that doesn’t have a lot of seams. If it is uniform across the entire seat then this is ideal as there is less chance of it coming apart due to an overactive dog.
Also, if the dog likes to chew up wood then avoid sofas with big wooden legs or backs. These will end up getting ruined very quickly by dogs that have a chewing habit.