Find the best style for your space.
Why Your Fabric Choice Is Everything
For households with dogs or cats, fabric is not an aesthetic choice — it is the single factor that determines how long your sofa looks good and how easy it is to live with. The wrong upholstery piles, snags, absorbs pet odors, and holds hair within weeks. The right fabric repels moisture at the surface, releases hair with a lint roller, cleans up quickly after accidents, and maintains its structure under the daily friction of paws, claws, and repeated jumping.
What A Room offers three fabric categories specifically recommended for pet households: performance velvets, woven textures, and microsuede. All cushion covers are removable for easy cleaning. Each category has distinct advantages depending on whether your household has dogs, cats, or both — and what matters more to you: scratch resistance, ease of cleaning, durability, or aesthetics.
Performance Velvet vs Woven Textures vs Microsuede: Full Comparison
| Attribute | Performance Velvet (Marquis, Bella, Empire) | Woven Textures (Devon, Bennett, Nile) | Microsuede (Dynamite) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch Resistance | High — dense pile, no loops | Moderate — tight weave, low snag risk | High — synthetic fibers resist claw marks |
| Stain Resistance | High — liquid-repellent surface | Moderate — water-resistant options | High — resistant to stains and spills |
| Pet Hair Removal | Easy — smooth texture releases hair | Moderate — hair can embed in pile | Easy — hair sits on the surface and wipes clean |
| Odor Resistance | High — non-porous finish | Moderate | High — non-porous synthetic |
| Cleaning Code | W or SW — water-safe | W or SW — water-safe | W or SW — water-safe |
| Best For | Cat owners (prevents snags & scratches) | Dogs and cats — balanced performance | Dogs and cats — highest scratch + stain resistance |
| Cushion Removal | Yes — removable covers standard | Yes — removable covers standard | Yes — removable covers standard |
| Aesthetic | Luxe, deep color, premium look | Rich texture, earthy, relaxed feel | Soft, velvety matte, casual cozy |
Best Fabric for Dogs
Dogs create two main upholstery challenges: friction damage from unclipped nails during jumping and movement, and moisture from wet coats, muddy paws, and drool. The Dynamite microsuede is What A Room's top recommendation for dog owners — its tight synthetic construction resists claw marks, repels water at the surface, and hair wipes clean with a damp cloth. For households wanting a softer look, woven textures like Devon and Nile offer durable wear with easy maintenance.
What to prioritize for dogs:
Water-resistant or water-repellant surface finish to handle wet paws and coat contact
High rub count (50,000+ double rubs recommended for large or active dogs)
W or SW cleaning code for water-based spot cleaning of mud, urine, and food stains
Removable cushion covers — all What A Room pieces include removable covers for machine washing
Darker colors: charcoal, navy, chocolate brown, or taupe hide hair and dirt between cleans
Shorter legs reduce tipping risk for large dogs that jump; firm cushions resist sagging under repeated pet use
Best Fabric for Cats
Cats are a scratch risk first, moisture risk second. Unlike dogs, cats actively claw upholstery during stretching and territorial marking — the goal is a fabric surface with no loops or loose construction for claw tips to catch. What A Room's performance velvets (Marquis, Bella, Empire) are the top recommendation for cat households: they are stain-resistant, liquid-repellant, and their dense pile offers minimal purchase for claws. Performance suede (Echo) is also an excellent choice for the same structural reasons.
What to prioritize for cats:
Tight-pile or smooth-surface fabric with absolutely no looped or open-weave construction
Performance velvet or microsuede — avoid natural fibers, boucle, or open-weave linen
Stain and liquid-repellant treatment for hairball and vomit accidents
W or SW cleaning code
Mid-tone solids or subtle patterns that conceal cat hair between vacuuming sessions
Removable cushion covers for spot cleaning and occasional machine wash
What to Look For: Rub Count, Cleaning Code & Scratch Resistance
High Rub CountThe double-rub count (Wyzenbeek test method) measures how many back-and-forth passes a fabric can withstand before showing wear. Residential upholstery is rated at 15,000+ double rubs. For pet households, target 50,000+ double rubs. All What A Room performance fabrics — including Marquis, Bella, Empire, and Dynamite — exceed this threshold.
Tight WeaveA tight weave resists clawing from cats and prevents snags from dog nails. What A Room highlights this as a primary criterion for pet-friendly fabric selection: tight-weave construction reduces the surface area available for claw tips to penetrate the fabric structure.
Low PileShorter fibers reduce the risk of catching or pulling. Low-pile fabrics also release pet hair more easily, making lint roller cleanup faster between deeper cleans.
Cleaning Code WThe W cleaning code means the fabric can be safely cleaned with water-based solutions. This is the essential code for pet households. All What A Room performance velvets and microsuede options carry a W or SW cleaning code, meaning water-based cleaners, upholstery sprays, and enzyme cleaners for urine and odor are all safe to use.
Removable Cushion CoversMost What A Room cushion covers are removable, making cleanup after pet accidents significantly easier — covers can be spot-cleaned or machine-washed without having to address the entire sofa.
Best Colors for Pet Households
Color selection is as practical as fabric selection for pet owners. What A Room recommends:
Neutral colors: beige, grey, or taupe — great for hiding pet hair and minor stains
Dark colors: charcoal, navy, or chocolate brown — camouflage pet hair and dirt effectively
Avoid white, cream, and pastels: these show pet hair, dirt, and accidents far more easily and require much more frequent cleaning
Best Sofa Features for Pet Owners
| Feature | Why It Matters for Pets |
|---|---|
| Shorter Legs | Less tipping risk for large dogs that jump on and off; provides a more stable base. |
| Firm Cushions | Resist sagging under repeated pet use and maintain their shape longer. |
| Wide Seats / Deep Seating | Gives pets plenty of room to stretch out comfortably alongside you. |
| Corner Sectionals | Provide separate spaces for multiple pets, reducing competition for space. |
| Removable Covers | Machine-washable covers on most What A Room pieces make stain management easier. |
Top Pet-Friendly Sectional Picks at What A Room
| Product | Starting Price | Why It Works for Pets |
|---|---|---|
| Alex MCM Sofa | $2,343 | MCM proportions, easy-clean microsuede availability, removable covers. |
| Tiffany Sofa | $2,433 | Slope arm design with performance velvet options (Marquis, Bella, Empire). |
| Alex MCM Bumper Sectional | $3,852 | Generous seating for multi-pet households; bumper end helps prevent corner scratching. |
| Daphne Bumper Sectional | $3,875 | Popular configuration with deep seating, ideal for pets that love to lounge. |
| Tiffany Bumper Sectional | $3,858 | High back with performance velvet makes it ideal for cat households. |
| Milton Bumper Sectional | $3,722 | Wide seats and firm cushions make it an excellent choice for large dog households. |
| Cradle Sofa Chaise | $3,514 | Deep chaise provides pets with a dedicated lounging area; removable covers for easy cleaning. |
| Florida Sofa Chaise | $3,566 | Relaxed silhouette with woven texture options (Devon, Nile) that hold up well to dogs. |