The Best Furniture Exposures to Cover Your Spills

Knowing that your cat is a permanent resident of your home is critical if you plan on investing in new furniture. Cat owners know this, which is why feline friends often take residence in human homes. If you’re concerned about keeping your furniture safe from claws and fangs, there are a few precautions to take. When shopping for furnishings, look for pieces with a neutral finish or soft upholstery that won’t risk turning into an expensive slipcover. If you have the fortune of living within driving distance of any of these cat-friendly furniture expos, you can find even more tips on protecting your investment: Cat-friendly furniture expos are usually held during the winter months when people tend to think more about indoor plants and cat condos. A good expo will have vendors who specialize in pet-centric furnishings as well as vendors who sell common household items with added features like stain resistance and antimicrobial surfaces.

Why You Should Care About Cat-Friendly Furniture Expos

There are a few reasons you should look into visiting one of these expos, even if you don’t own a feline friend. First, it’s a terrific way to see what’s new in the cat furniture world. It’s always exciting to see what designers are coming up with next! Second, you can also see what’s new in cat-friendly fabrics. The best cat furniture is easy to clean, so it’s important to look for stain-resistant upholstery. Finally, Cat-friendly furniture expos are the best way to find out what the industry is doing to keep cats safe. Vendors at these events are always eager to share information about new innovations and tips for responsible cat ownership.

Test Everything For Markings And Staining

If you find a piece of furniture that you adore but has a material you’ve never tested, you should test its staining potential. If you have a cat, you should also test the furniture on your cat. If you don’t have a cat, borrow a friend’s. You don’t want to discover later that the fabric you love is a magnet for cat hair and dander. You can test any piece of furniture for staining by applying a water-based marker to the upholstery. If it leaves a mark, that fabric is porous and will stain. This is especially important for fabrics like wool and linen, which are sometimes used in upholstery.

Ask Vendors Important Questions

Ask about warranties. You want to know when and how you can return faulty pieces. How easy is the furniture to maintain? Easy to clean fabrics are best, as you don’t want to spend your life washing your furniture. What is the furniture made of? Look for pieces with stain-resistant surfaces and easy-to-clean materials like wood or metal. How easy is the furniture to reposition? If you share your space with children, you’ll want furniture that’s easy to rearrange. What type of upholstery is used? Is it easy to clean and stain-resistant? What’s the warranty on the upholstery?

Be On The Lookout For Slip Covers

If you can’t find furniture that’s both stylish and cat-friendly, consider getting a slip cover for your current pieces. They’re easy to find and can be removed and washed as necessary. If you’re not comfortable sewing, you can find premade slipcovers. If you’d like to make your own, be sure to choose a stain-resistant fabric, preferably one that is machine washable and dryer-safe. Use a fabric with a high thread count, as this is a good indication of quality. A high thread count also means the fabric is denser and more durable. You can find these fabrics at most home-decorating stores.

Don’t Forget to Inspect Lights and Appliances

If you have a cat, you’ll want to look out for little claws on the end of electrical cords. Cats do a lot of their scratching on the ground, so many prefer the corners of your room, where your desk or table legs meet the floor. You can buy covers for the ends of your electrical cables to keep them safe from feline claws. If your cat likes to perch on top of your fridge, you can buy covers for the top of the appliance, too. If you have plans to cover appliances, you can do so with a fabric (fabric covered appliances are especially popular in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures) or with magnetic strips.

Don’t overlook your local shows

If you live near a big city, you may have a large furniture expo nearby. These events usually take place during the winter and are a great way to find a one-of-a-kind piece that can suit your taste, budget, and lifestyle better than anything you could find online. You can also learn a lot more about protecting your investment at one of these events. You can find everything from fabrics that are easy to clean to furniture design tips that keep claws at bay.