Picks for Pets: Pet-Friendly Furniture & Flooring

Prepared by Julie Garrison | Published on April 15, 2025

It's easy to promise a perfect home to your pet while staring into their tiny, adorable eyes. After all, they’d never make a mess of it, right? What experienced pet parents know is pet-friendly furniture and flooring keeps everybody happy. Lucky for cat dads, dog moms, and everything in between, NFM has a huge selection of furniture and flooring plus accessories and more for homes with pets.

What to look for in pet-friendly furniture

When you love your pet but also like a tidy home, it’s time to consider a few pet-friendly furniture options.

Most pet parents correctly assume their companion will want to spend lots of time on the sofa. In some cases, the best option for a pet-friendly sofa is to pick out a nice pet bed or cat tree instead. However, as much as you might try, they’ll inevitably settle into your lap or live it up while you’re away. If a sofa is cozy for you, it is for them too. When it’s time to pick a pet-proof couch, consider the material first.

Polyester

Polyester fabric is a top contender for the most pet-friendly couch material. Priced right for most budgets, a tightly woven polyester holds up to paws, claws, and fur. Polyester is also easy to clean and stain resistant, making it ideal for pets sneaking naps inside or on the patio.

Leather

Leather is another popular material for pet-friendly couches, chairs, and sectionals. Real leather is a tried-and-true option that’s easy to clean and resistant to scratches and stains. Don’t grab just any seat though. For the most pet-friendly leather furniture, choose a leather that is both real and unsmoothed. Smooth leather, while stylish, has undergone treatment that leaves it weaker and prone to scratching. Faux leather also faces similar issues.

Metal & hardwood

Few things compare to metal and hardwood’s ability to survive the extra wear and tear pets may bring. From sofa legs to tabletops, hardwood deflects everything but the most persistent pets. There is, however, the chance your pet particularly enjoys chewing or clawing at wood. For those homes, metal is the best answer or, in the case of tabletops, even marble or stone.

Pet-friendly accessories

When all else fails, or you want to treat a well-behaved pet, there’s a whole world of furniture and accessories just for them. Pet-pleasers range from cat trees as a replacement for cabinet climbing to memory foam beds comfier than some couches. Sometimes, your little friend might just be frustrated they aren’t where you are, and a set of pet stairs will help. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a pet, NFM has it all!

The best flooring for pets

While your pet might occasionally share your couch or bed, most spend a lot of time on the floor. Picking out pet-friendly flooring makes a big difference for your wallet and companion. The right flooring should hold up well to wear and messes while still being comfortable for your pet.

Carpet

The best carpet for animals also happens to be a great deal. NFM’s Lasting Luxury Pet Collection combines our favorite pet-friendly carpet with lifetime warranty coverage for messes. Not only is this carpet gentle on paws, it’s easy to clean, stain resistant, and durable too. Take a look today and you’re sure to find something you and your pet will love.

Hard surface floors

When picking out a hard surface material, there are several flooring options for beautiful and pet-friendly flooring. From laminate and luxury vinyl to hardwood and tile, most hard surface flooring is easy to clean and hard to scratch. Keep in mind that not all hard surface flooring is waterproof or even water resistant. Natural materials like tile and hardwood vary in water resistance depending on the product. With a pet in the house, the safest bet is to choose something at least water resistant.

Area rugs

Even though hard surface floors are quite durable, they can be unpleasant for some pets. From sliding on smooth floors to being bothered by the sound of steps, sometimes the right fit takes a little extra work. If you already love your hard surface floor, adding an area rug might be the perfect option. Area rugs give pets a comfy surface to step, sit, or lay. Experts recommend choosing a machine washable area rug to reduce worry about potential messes. Just pop your dirty rug in the washer for a quick refresh!

Vacuums & floorcare

Even with the best furniture and floors for pets, things like shedding and accidents are inevitable. Good floorcare is a must have for keeping fur off your sofa, dirt off your floors, and messes off your mind. For more info on the best appliances and electronics for homes with pets, stay tuned to NFM home stories!