The essentials
- Pet-friendly furniture is everywhere — And you don’t have to sacrifice style for function.
- Accidents can still happen — Even with pet-friendly furniture, you may see wear and tear, stains, or scratches.
- Fabric choices can depend on the pet — Your furniture choices may change depending on what pets you welcome and the unique challenges associated with each species.
Operating as a pet-friendly rental offers increased benefits as more and more pet parents choose to travel with their furry friends. With that comes some upfront work to ensure you as a rental owner are preparing your space for four legged visitors. We share everything you need to know about furniture style, fabric, and flooring in your pet-friendly rental.
1. Invest in the right flooring
Wear and tear on flooring is completely normal, especially with pets running around. Determining which pet-friendly flooring is best for your rental property will come down to several factors like cost, location, upkeep, etc.
- Tile. Cost efficient and easy to clean, tile isn’t easily scratched like some other flooring options and has the benefit of cooling properties for those warm days.
- Concrete. Relatively inexpensive, concrete is virtually indestructible and offers an industrial aesthetic to your space.
- Bamboo. Despite being more susceptible to moisture damage, bamboo is comfortable to walk on, easy to clean, and resembles hardwood flooring.
- Vinyl. This type of flooring is usually waterproof, scratch-resistant, and budget-friendly.
- Laminate. Very affordable, laminate has scratch resistance and can have an added waterproof layer in the case of any accidents.
- Cork. For those looking for sound absorption, cork helps silence the sound of pet nails and shoes across the floor.
- Engineered hardwood. Typical hardwood is easy to scratch, so opting for engineered hardwood helps minimize scratches.
💡Machine washable throw rugs can be a great alternative to carpet for those who need to dampen noise or curb a cold floor.
2. Pet-friendly furniture
You want your rental property to retain a certain look for visitors and you can certainly meet your aesthetic goals with pet-friendly furniture. The best place to start is with stain and tear resistant fabrics that can withstand not only regular use by humans, but any pets who may find their way onto the furniture.
- Tightly woven fabrics. This is our top recommended fabric type when choosing furniture due to its durability and resilience. This includes fabrics like twill and tweed.
- Microfiber. Easy to clean, microfiber comes in different options like microsuede and velvet microfiber for a great look without the added maintenance.
- Velvet. Believe it or not, but velvet can make for a great pet-friendly couch or chair due to its tight weave. Tight weaves make it harder to snag claws.
- Outdoor fabrics. Furniture designed for the outdoors can easily transition into the home with the added benefit of durability and design.
- Slipcovers. Slipcovers are by far the easiest to clean option and allows you to change up the look of your interiors without reinvesting in new furniture every time.
3. Child (and pet) proofing
There are plenty of dangers lurking in the home and one of them are the furniture pieces we use every day. When welcoming visitors, their families, and their pets into your property you want to make sure it’s as safe as possible with appropriate wall anchors for large furniture and anti-slip grips on any rugs. Also consider providing baby gates, securing loose cords, covering outlets, and buffer any sharp corners. These small touches can make a world of difference in ensuring no accidents occur.
4. Pet-inclusive areas
Having a pet-friendly rental means including items and amenities that are for the benefit of the pets that will be visiting. In the case of cats, having a cat condo or scratching post can show your renters that you go the extra mile for their comfort and enjoyment. Similarly, having a dog crate or two on hand for dog owners to secure their pups in can be a lifesaver, especially if they flew. If possible, fence in any outdoor areas so pets can run around freely and even include some obstacles for them to enjoy.
Pet-specific amenities
Humans get amenities when they travel, so why shouldn’t pets?
- Bathroom. Consider having pet-specific towels for bath time and drying off. This ensures your best towels aren’t being used on Fido’s muddy paws and can be a cute extra. You can also leave brushes, shampoo, and nail clippers.
- Storage. Having a cupboard or basket where renters can put their pets’ things is effective and inexpensive.
- Bedroom. Pet beds, blankets, and toys can help even the most anxious of pups feel more at home.
5. Wood-framed and sturdy furniture
You can never predict what a renter will do or what their pets will do when they stay at your rental property. Instead of worrying if your furniture is up to the task, invest in solid, sturdy furniture that’s designed to withstand jumping, wrestling, and the zoomies. After all, an instance or two of a Great Dane throwing themselves down on a couch may not seem like a big impact, but over time and many pets and humans alike, that can take its toll.
When approaching how to furnish your rental property, we have one piece of advice you can always count on: think like a pet owner. Everything else will fall into place.
Frequently asked questions
What does pet-friendly furniture mean?
It means furniture that is (relatively) stain, scratch, and tear resistant.
What is the most pet-friendly couch material?
Tight-woven fabrics, microfiber, and outdoor fabrics are just a few.
How to design a pet-friendly home?
Think like a pet owner and consider how daily pet life will impact your floors, furnishings, and how you decorate. That means installing floors and buying furniture that is easy to clean and hard to scratch, removing all hazards, and ensuring any plant life is pet-friendly.
