As cherished as they are, living with pets can bring its fair share of challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining your interior style.

While pets and furniture don’t always mesh well together, it’s still possible to have a beautiful home that’s also pet friendly. The key is to find a balance between choosing decor pieces you love and embracing the realities of living with pets.

In this article, we explore practical tips for designing and maintaining a home that welcomes pets and celebrates style. From choosing the right fabrics and materials to cleaning and maintenance, discover how to create a space that you and your furry friends can enjoy together.

Choosing durable fabrics is vital for pet owners.

Pet-friendly fabric choices

When it comes to pets on furniture, the right fabric can make all the difference.

Leather is a classic choice for a pet-friendly sofa. It’s durable and scratches can usually be quite easily buffed out. It also ages beautifully, developing a patina over time. If your pets tend to shed, their fur won’t stick to leather in the same way as it would with other fabrics, making it an easy-to-clean sofa option. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all leathers are made equal and some are more durable than others.

Fabrics with tight weaves and low pile are recommended for pet owners because they don't easily trap hair and are less likely to be damaged by claws.

All King Living upholstered furniture – sofas, bedheads, ottomans, dining chairs and the like – comes with tailored, removable covers. If your pet leaves a stain that needs washing, the covers can be removed for professional cleaning and can also be replaced with new covers if needed.

Some King Living designs, like the 1977 Sofa, offer machine washable covers for added ease when you have pets around your furniture. You can remove the cover on each individual sofa module and clean or replace the cover anytime.

Featuring the 1977 Sofa in Tempest Wattle

Managing scratching and chewing

Chewing is a common issue, especially for puppies, but some dogs never grow out of the habit. Providing chew toys can help to divert their attention away from your furniture but if they have developed a fondness for chewing the arm of your sofa or the leg of your dining table, try a pet-safe deterrent spray. These are usually bitter or have a citrus smell that dogs dislike so they’ll hopefully move their chewing elsewhere.  

Dogs can also scratch furniture. This is usually while playing or to capture your attention. For cats, scratching is repetitive and they’ll tend to focus on a particular area or object and continuously scratch there. Providing your cat with a scratching post sprinkled with catnip or a pheromone spray can help to move your cat's attention away from the furniture. 

If your pet damages your King Living furniture covers beyond repair – such as chewing or scratching through the fabric – the covers can also be replaced. The King Care team is available to help with ordering new covers to breathe new life into your King Living furniture.

Featuring the 1977 Sofa in Leura Biscotti, Sandstone and Caramel.

Regular cleaning and maintenance

No matter how durable or stain-resistant your furniture may be, staying on top of cleaning and maintenance will help to ensure longevity.  

Spills and stains are going to happen, even without pets in the home. If a stain does occur, it’s important to act as quickly as possible by following the product care advice for your furniture. We always recommend protecting your King Living furniture with KingGuard+ as an added layer of protection.  

King Care fabric and leather cleaning kits are formulated especially for King Living fabrics and leathers. These products are designed to help maintain the appearance and quality of your furniture, even with the wear and tear of pet ownership. 

Regular vacuuming of floors and furniture will also help to remove pet fur that can very quickly accumulate.

Featuring the Quay Outdoor Dining Table, Quay Outdoor Dining Chairs and Quay Outdoor Chairs.

A home, not a showroom

Letting go of the notion of a “perfect” home is liberating. Striving for a showroom-like appearance is unrealistic and can take away from the lived-in feeling that makes a house a home. Especially when you have pets. 

That’s not to say you should completely abandon your design sensibilities. Rather, it’s about a balance between maintaining a space you’re proud of and accepting the inevitable realities that come with pet ownership. It’s about intentionally choosing pet-friendly furniture that also reflects your personal style. 

One of the key aspects of this is durability. When you have pets, your furniture is likely to face more wear and tear than in a pet-free home. Look for furniture that’s made from quality materials that will stand the test of time and pieces that are easy to clean and maintain. 

At King Living, durability, quality and longevity are at the heart of how we design and manufacture our furniture. The antithesis of fast furniture, King Living designs are built to last for generations. We combine functionality and practicality with Australian design for furniture that will take pride of place in any home. 

Featuring the Quay Outdoor Sofa, Luna Outdoor Chairs

Design a pet-friendly home with King Living 

You can have pets and furniture that matches your interior style. The key is to choose quality furniture and fabrics that are designed to stand the test of time. 

The King Living Collection can be customised in a range of premium, luxury finishes and fabrics. Explore the collection and discover durable, stylish furniture that both you and your pets can enjoy. 

For more home inspiration, explore: 

• The benefits of choosing natural materials in the home 
• How to achieve a quiet luxury aesthetic 
• 5 tips for creating a sleep-friendly bedroom