Best Pet-Friendly Sofas 2026: Scratch-Resistant Fabric Guide

Cozy Seating for You and Your Pets

If your dog claims the sofa before you do, you’re not alone. Around 71% of U.S. households — about 94 million families — now own a pet, and that share keeps climbing. (III) Most pet parents also see pets as true family members; nearly 89% of dog owners and 85% of cat owners describe them that way. (HumanePro)

The living-room sofa is where that bond really plays out — and where claws, fur and the occasional accident show up. In this guide, we’ll walk through the best pet friendly sofa options in 2026, focusing on scratch-resistant, easy-clean fabrics and smart details that actually work in real homes.

How We Chose These Pet-Friendly Sofas

Picking the right pet friendly sofa isn’t just about fabric labels. For this list we combined hands-on sitting tests, spec-sheet deep dives, owner reviews and independent upholstery guidance. We focused on:

• Fabric durability & scratch resistance
  • We prioritize tightly woven performance fabrics such as polyester, chenille and some performance velvets that are less likely to snag, pull or pill when pets jump up or turn in circles on the seat. We also look for brands that clearly position their upholstery as “pet-friendly” and that receive consistently good owner feedback about how the fabric holds up to claws and daily use over time.
• Cleanability (stains, fur & odors)
  • For day-to-day life with pets, we favor sofas with stain-repellent finishes, moisture-resistant upholstery, removable cushion covers or slipcovers, and straightforward cleaning instructions. Our picks are aligned with independent advice from home and cleaning editors at Good Housekeeping, who often recommend polyester-based performance fabrics for busy, pet- and family-focused households.
• Comfort & proportions
  • Seat depth for lounging with pets, back height for support, and cushion feel (from firmer perches to “cloud” lounging).
• Frame & build quality
  • Kiln-dried or solid wood frames, webbing/spring support, and reasonable warranties that match the price.
• Room & lifestyle fit
  • Options for apartments vs. large family rooms, modular layouts, sleepers, and power recliners.
• Value for money
  • We favored sofas that balance quality fabrics, pet-ready features and long-term value — an important point when pet owners already spend over $2,000 a year on their animals on average. (NEWYORK POST)

We also kept one reality in mind: 74% of pet owners let their pets on the living-room sofa, so these picks assume your dog or cat really will be up there with you. (DAVID WILSON HOMES)

Quick Comparison: Best Pet-Friendly Sofas in 2026

*Prices are approximate U.S. retail at time of writing and may change based on region, fabric, size and promotions.

Best Pet-Friendly Sofa Picks for 2026

1. POVISON Ergopals Power Reclining Loveseat — Best Power Recliner for Pet Families

Price: $2399
Best For: Couples or small families who want zero-gravity comfort with a dog or cat stretched across their laps.

Highlights

• Pet-friendly fabric options including waterproof, scratch-resistant weaves
• Dual power recliners with 90°–145° zero-gravity positions
• Adjustable headrests and pillow-back design
• Built-in USB and Type-C ports for device charging
• Wall-hugging design saves space behind the sofa

This loveseat leans fully into “movie-night with pets” living. The pet-friendly upholstery includes smooth performance fabrics and short-pile textures that are kinder to claws and easier to wipe after muddy-paw incidents. Underneath, a solid-wood structure and dense foam create that “wrapped but supported” feeling, even when both recliners are fully extended.

One rainy evening, my dog tracked in a trail of pawprints across the footrest; a quick spot clean with a damp cloth took care of it with no shadowing on the fabric. If you want a sofa that feels like a home theatre chair, but with pet-ready fabric and no dangling cords, this is the one to beat.

Buyer review: “The recline is so smooth and quiet that our cat doesn’t even flinch, and the fabric really does wipe clean after fur and the occasional hairball.” (L., 2025)

2. POVISON 89″ Mid-Century Pet-Friendly Sofa — Best Easy-Clean Fabric Sofa for Small Spaces

Price: $1999
Best For: Apartment dwellers, first-time pet parents, or anyone who wants a tidy, mid-century look that still tolerates claws.

Highlights

• Compact 2–3 seater: 89″ W x 40.7″ D x 36.2″ H
• Tight-weave, pet-friendly fabric with short pile for scratch resistance
• 100% polyester performance upholstery; spot-clean and dry-clean safe
• Includes accent pillows; partial assembly only
• Neutral color options that hide light fur well

This sofa is built like a small-space workhorse. The tight, flat weave of the pet-friendly fabric is a good match for cats that like to “test” furniture with their claws, because the short fibers are less likely to snag. The polyester performance upholstery helps resist everyday stains and odors, while the compact footprint fits easily into smaller living rooms without feeling cramped.

The structured back and gently angled arms create a comfortable, supported sitting position for reading, working on a laptop, or watching TV. Combined with the clean mid-century lines and neutral color options, it’s a strong choice for style-conscious pet owners who want an easy-care, apartment-friendly sofa rather than a bulky sectional.

Buyer review: “We bought this for our small living room and two cats — fur brushes off easily and the fabric still looks new after months of scratching and zoomies.” (S., 2024)

3. POVISON Arlo Pet-Friendly Sofa Set — Best Cloud Sofa for Pets & Families

Price: $3798
Best For: Multi-pet households, open-plan living rooms, and anyone chasing that deep, cloud-cushion feel.

Highlights

• Deep-seat, “deep sleeper” cloud design with high back support
• Pet-friendly, stain-resistant fabric with memory-foam cushions
• Solid wood legs and multiple set options (loveseat, sofa, sofa set)
• Tufted round cushions for a soft, sink-in appearance
• Designed to resist spills and daily wear with dogs and kids

The Arlo set is all about sprawling comfort without sacrificing durability. The deep seats and high back encourage full-body lounging (and very relaxed dogs), while the pet-friendly fabric is engineered to be both stain resistant and scratch aware. Memory-foam cushions keep their shape longer than standard polyfill, helpful when pets choose the same spot every day.

Compared with many cloud-style sofas from other mid-market brands, Arlo’s performance fabric and ready-to-live-in construction offer a strong value: you get the same plush silhouette, but with easier maintenance and fewer worries about claws or spills over time. For pet parents who care more about daily lounging comfort and long-term durability than chasing brand labels, Povison’s cloud set is a very compelling pick.

Buyer review: “Between two kids and a German shepherd, I expected sagging by month three. The cushions still bounce back and muddy prints wipe off with a damp cloth.” (J., 2025)

4. Burrow Nomad Sofa — Best Modular Sofa for Dogs

Price: Approx. $1,462 on sale; $1,949 regular for 3-seat size
Best For: Renters, frequent movers, and dog owners needing a modular, easy-to-move sofa.

Highlights

• Performance fabric that resists stains and scratches
• Modular seat/arm/chaise options; tool-free latch assembly
• Optional built-in USB charger
• Mid-century silhouette with firm-comfort seating

Burrow’s Nomad line is a go-to for flexible living rooms. The tightly woven olefin performance fabric stands up well to claws and “zoomie landings,” and the seat cushions lean medium-firm so bodies don’t sink and twist awkwardly when a dog hops up. Reviewers consistently call out the modular design as a lifesaver when navigating stairs or small elevators.

It’s not as plush as a cloud sofa, but for households that may move or reconfigure often, the ability to add pieces or swap arms is a real plus. You pay a little for the engineering, yet you also get a sofa that can adapt as your pets — and your square footage — change.

5. Article Sanders 85.5″ Sofa — Best Design-Forward Performance Velvet

Price: From about $999 for sofa in select fabrics
Best For: Style-minded pet owners who still want a scratch-resistant, easy-clean option.

Highlights

• Available in performance velvet and performance fabrics
• Solid pine/beech/plywood frame; no-assembly delivery
• Loose seat and back cushions for easier cleaning
• Compact but comfortable 85.5″ width

The Sanders sofa looks like something you’d see in a design magazine, but its performance velvet options have been praised for resisting stains and cleaning up well after everyday spills. An independent review notes that the performance velvet is durable and non-absorbent, yet still soft enough for pets to nap on. 

The loose cushions are a small but important advantage in pet homes: you can vacuum fur more easily, flip cushions to even out wear, and spot-clean individual pieces instead of wrestling a whole frame. The trade-off is that velvet will show lint and fur more than flat-weave fabrics, so this pick suits people who don’t mind a quick lint-roll in exchange for a luxe look.

6. Joybird Eliot Sleeper Sofa — Best Sofa Bed for Dog Owners

Price: Around $2,209 list; often on sale near $1,900 depending on size and fabric
Best For: Small spaces and guest rooms where sofa and bed must share the same footprint — along with pets.

Highlights

• Customizable in multiple pet-friendly performance fabrics
• Pull-out sleeper with Tempur-Response memory-foam mattress
• Classic mid-century profile with tufted cushions
• Robust warranties and upgraded construction on newer models

Joybird’s updated Eliot sleeper has earned better feedback in recent reviews, especially around construction and comfort. Testers from WIRED highlight that the performance fabrics handle spills and pet traffic well, and that the memory-foam mattress genuinely beats typical bar-in-the-back sofa beds.

We like it for dog owners who host overnight guests: during the day, it’s a stylish tufted sofa; at night, it pulls out for sleeping without requiring a second room. Just be aware that deep seating can feel a bit much for shorter sitters, and tufting means a bit more lint-rolling around buttons.

7. Pottery Barn PB Comfort Roll Arm Slipcovered Sofa — Best Slipcovered Sofa for Heavy Shedders

Price: Collection currently runs about $1,679–$4,399 depending on size and fabric
Best For: Multi-pet homes that need fully removable, washable covers.

Highlights

• Machine-washable slipcovers (fabric-dependent)
• Multiple depths and widths (68″–120″)
• Huge performance-fabric library, including pet-friendly weaves
• Classic roll-arm, deep-seat comfort

Slipcovers remain one of the most forgiving solutions for pet owners. The PB Comfort series lets you start with a durable performance fabric, then remove and launder the cover when fur, drool or accidents build up. The deep seat works particularly well for large dogs that like to sprawl horizontally along the cushions.

The flip side: managing slipcovers can be labor-intensive, especially on larger sizes. If you’re ok with the occasional wrestling match on laundry day, you get an extremely long-lived sofa that can even be refreshed with a new cover years down the line instead of replacing the frame.

8. Crate & Barrel Lounge 93″ Sofa — Best Deep Seat Sofa for Large Dogs

Price: About $2,199 for the 93″ size in a standard performance fabric
Best For: Big dogs, big families and anyone who loves an extra-deep lounging seat.

Highlights

• Deep 46″ seat option plus regular depth choices
• Hundreds of fabric options, including performance weaves
• High back and wide arms for serious lounging
• Tried-and-true best-seller with thousands of reviews

The Lounge series is famously deep; the 93″ model feels almost like a daybed and can comfortably host a stretched-out person plus a large dog. With performance fabrics selected, this is an ideal “everyone piles on” sofa for movie nights and weekend naps.

Because of its generous depth, this sofa works best in larger, more casual living rooms rather than small or very formal spaces. For homes with big dogs, that extra depth simply means there is more room for everyone to stretch out comfortably.

9. IKEA UPPLAND Sofa — Best Budget Pet-Friendly Sofa

Price: About $899 for the 3-seat sofa with Blekinge white cover in the U.S.
Best For: Budget-conscious pet parents who still want washable covers and replaceable upholstery.

Highlights

• Fully removable, machine-washable slipcovers
• Replacement covers available in multiple fabrics and colors
• Soft cushions with a classic rolled-arm silhouette
• Widely available and easy to accessorize

UPPLAND isn’t a high-end sofa, but it’s honest, comfortable and forgiving. The removable covers let you toss muddy paw prints or shedding seasons straight into the wash, and the ability to buy new covers later extends its life in a very pet-friendly way.

The trade-offs: assembly is DIY, and the frame and cushions won’t last as long as heavier mid-market pieces. For renters, first sofas or “pet-trial” furniture, UPPLAND offers a gentle price point with very practical cleaning benefits.

10. West Elm Harmony Sofa — Best Soft, Sink-In Performance Sofa

Price: Roughly $639–$1,699 depending on size and fabric during current promos
Best For: Households that want ultra-plush seating with performance fabric options.

Highlights

• Rated as one of West Elm’s softest seating lines (comfort level “1” on a 1–5 scale)
• Multiple widths and chaise configurations
• Performance fabric options designed to resist stains and wear
• Clean, modern profile with generous seat cushions

Harmony is the “curl up and stay a while” sofa in this list. The extra-plush cushions make it a favorite for long lounging sessions, and when upholstered in performance fabrics, it becomes surprisingly practical for homes with pets and kids.

One evening, after a long day, stretching out on a Harmony-style sofa with a cat asleep in the hollow behind my knees, the soft but supportive cushions made it very clear why squishier seating still has its fans. If you like a soft landing and are willing to routinely vacuum and spot-clean, Harmony strikes a comfortable balance.

Choosing the Right Fabric for a Pet-Friendly Sofa

Fabric is where most “best sofa for dogs” decisions are won or lost. A few evidence-backed pointers:

• Go for tightly woven performance fabrics. Flat, dense weaves snag less on claws and are easier to wipe. Polyester and performance microfiber are widely recommended in independent testing for strength and claw resistance. (Good Housekeeping)
• Check durability testing where it’s published. Many manufacturers rate upholstery using the Martindale rub test, where fabric is abraded until it shows wear; higher numbers indicate better durability for high-traffic, pet-heavy use. (Swavelle)
• Skip the most delicate fibers. Experts advise avoiding linen, tweed, silk and traditional velvet in busy pet homes, and aiming instead for smooth performance weaves or microfiber that resist snagging and are easier to vacuum. (Tom’s Guide)

If you want to go deeper into weave types and protective treatments, Povison’s own explainer on what makes pet-friendly furniture both stylish and durable breaks down how tight weaves, stain-repellent coatings and moisture barriers work together in real furniture. (Povison)

Maintenance Tips to Keep Any Sofa Pet-Proof

A great easy clean fabric sofa is just the start; habits matter too.

• Layer washable protection. Use machine-washable throws on your pets’ favorite zones and rotate them weekly.
• Vacuum low and often. A quick run with an upholstery attachment once or twice a week does more than deep cleaning once a month.
• Spot clean immediately. Blot, don’t rub, and follow the sofa’s care code (W, S, WS, or X). Performance fabrics are designed to release stains with mild soap and water rather than harsh chemicals. (Rousseau’s)
• Keep claws blunt. Regular nail trims plus scratching posts (for cats) dramatically reduce accidental snags.

For broader layout and behavior ideas, Povison’s comprehensive guide to dog-friendly sofas connects fabric choices with pet training, room layout and how to keep both your dog and your living room happy. (Povison)

Povison’s pet-focused collections lean into these realities with scratch-resistant, low-pile fabrics and ready-to-use or easy-assembly frames, which reduce stress for both pets and humans on delivery day.

Conclusion

Choosing the right pet friendly sofa is really about designing a cozy, realistic life for you and your animals — one where fur, paws and naps are fully expected, not feared. Durable performance fabrics, smart proportions and simple cleaning routines turn your living room into a comfortable, low-stress hangout.

Povison’s pet-friendly sofas add an extra edge with deep, lounge-ready seating and scratch-resistant fabrics that arrive fully or easily assembled, so your home feels “ready to live in” from day one. Explore your options, measure carefully, and pick the piece that fits how you and your pets actually live.

FAQ

What is the best sofa fabric if you have dogs?

Tightly woven performance fabrics such as polyester, microfiber or treated chenille are usually best. They resist claws, repel many stains and are easier to vacuum than loose weaves or thick, textured bouclé. Choose fabrics with documented abrasion testing where possible.

Are deep seat sofas better for lounging with pets?

Deep seat sofas are great for stretching out with dogs or multiple cats, especially for taller people. Just note they take more floor space and can feel too slouchy for formal sitting rooms, so they’re best in casual family or media rooms.

How do I choose the right sectional for my home?

Start with room measurements and traffic paths, then choose an L- or U-shape that keeps walkways clear. Consider door widths for delivery, and pick performance fabric plus removable cushions if pets will use the sectional daily. Modular pieces add flexibility.

Are leather sofas good for pets?

High-quality, thick leather can be surprisingly pet-friendly: fur doesn’t cling and most spills wipe away. However, sharp claws can leave visible scratches, and some dogs may slide more. Avoid very soft, thin or distressed leathers in high-energy pet homes.

How can I protect my sofa from scratches and fur?

Keep nails trimmed, offer scratching alternatives, and use washable throws or pet blankets on favorite spots. Vacuum weekly with an upholstery attachment and lint-roll before guests. Choosing smooth performance fabric or removable slipcovers makes all of this much easier.

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