If you share your home with a dog or cat, look for a sofa bed with a tightly woven or smooth upholstery that resists claws, a mid tone colour that disguises hair, removable or wipeable covers, a sturdy frame that copes with jumping, and a mechanism with no exposed gaps where paws or tails could get caught. Those five points matter far more than the exact style, and getting them right means the sofa bed stays looking good for years.
Pets love soft furnishings, and a sofa bed is no exception. Our range of modern sofa beds UK sale includes fabrics and finishes that suit homes with animals, and this guide walks through what to check before you choose. The same principles apply across our wider modern sofas UK sale collection, which is useful for comparing fabrics and frames.
The fabric is the part of a sofa bed your pet will interact with most. Some materials handle claws, hair and muddy paws far better than others.
Dense, flat weaves give claws very little to catch on. Look for fabrics described as tightly woven or close weave, often in polyester or blends. Microfibre and many performance fabrics fall into this category and are generally the most practical choice.
Smooth leather does not trap hair and wipes clean easily. Claws can leave light scratches, but on many genuine leathers these soften into the patina over time. Faux leather is easy to clean, though deep scratches may be more noticeable. Our collection of modern leather sofas UK sale shows how different leather finishes look in a living room.
Velvet has no loops, so it does not snag easily, and hair can be lifted with a lint roller. It does show hair clearly, especially on darker shades, and the pile can mark where a pet sleeps regularly.
Loose weaves, bouclé with large loops, and textured fabrics with raised threads are more vulnerable to claws. They can look beautiful but may pull quickly in a home with a cat or a dog that digs before settling.
A practical tip many owners overlook: choose a colour close to your pet’s coat. A grey sofa bed with a grey cat, or a warm taupe with a golden retriever, makes stray hairs much less obvious between cleans.
Mid tones in general are more forgiving than very pale or very dark shades. Pure white shows every mark, and black shows every pale hair. Heathered or flecked fabrics, where several tones are woven together, are particularly good at disguising everyday wear.
Removable, washable covers are a real advantage in a pet home. Check the care label to see whether covers are machine washable or need dry cleaning, and whether they can be removed easily without tools.
For fixed upholstery, look for fabrics that can be spot cleaned with water and mild soap. A good habit is to keep a washable throw on the section of the sofa bed your pet prefers. It protects the upholstery, can be washed weekly and gives your pet a familiar spot to settle.
Dogs and cats jump on and off furniture many times a day. Larger dogs in particular put real stress on frames and seat platforms. Look for a sturdy frame in solid wood, engineered wood or metal, and supportive seat construction such as webbing or sprung bases rather than loose fabric.
Legs matter too. Short, solid legs are more stable than very slim, splayed designs, which can wobble when a heavy dog lands. A low profile with a modest gap underneath also stops smaller pets from hiding beneath the sofa bed, which can be helpful when you need to open it.
This point is specific to sofa beds and easy to forget. Pull out mechanisms have moving metal parts. Before opening or closing the bed, always check that your pet is not underneath, inside or lying on the cushions. Cats in particular like to curl up in enclosed spaces.
Click clack designs and futons have fewer hidden parts, which some owners find reassuring. Whatever the design, make a routine of checking before converting the bed and keep pets out of the room while you do it if possible.
If a pet will sleep on the open sofa bed with a guest, or with you, protect the mattress with a waterproof, breathable protector. It guards against accidents, muddy paws and general wear, and keeps the mattress hygienic for every guest.
The rest of the room can help your sofa bed last longer. A washable rug in front catches dirt from paws before it reaches the upholstery. A dedicated pet bed nearby gives your dog or cat an alternative spot, which many pets will use if it is warm and positioned somewhere they like.
Our range of modern rugs UK includes low pile designs that are easy to vacuum and hold up well to everyday traffic.
Pets often claim a share of the sofa, so a slightly larger sofa bed can make sense in a pet home. A three seater or a design with a chaise gives a dog room to stretch out without pushing people to the edge. If your pet likes to lie along the back of the sofa, a firmer back cushion holds its shape better than loose, soft filled cushions.
Seat height matters for older or smaller pets. A lower seat is easier to jump onto, which reduces strain on joints and lowers the impact on the frame. For larger breeds, a deeper seat gives them space to settle without hanging over the front edge.
Fabric upholstery can absorb odours over time, particularly if a pet sleeps on it daily. Regular vacuuming removes hair and dander before it builds up. Washing throws and removable covers on a routine, and letting fresh air into the room, keeps things smelling clean.
Bicarbonate of soda, sprinkled lightly over fabric, left for a short while and then vacuumed thoroughly, is a gentle way to refresh upholstery. Always test any cleaning method on a hidden area first and follow the care label. For leather, a damp cloth and occasional conditioner is usually enough.
Open the sofa bed from time to time even when no guests are staying. This lets the mattress air, gives you a chance to check for hair or debris inside the mechanism and keeps moving parts working smoothly.
Puppies and kittens can be curious about anything they can chew or climb into. During that stage, a throw over the seat and a firm rule about the bed mechanism are especially useful. Some owners keep the sofa bed closed and covered until training is settled.
Older pets may need help getting up and down. A low footstool or pet step beside the sofa bed reduces jumping and protects both your pet and the frame. A soft blanket in their favourite spot helps them settle comfortably.
Pets and furniture can live together happily with a little planning. The most practical sofa bed for a pet home is rarely the most delicate one, but it does not need to look utilitarian either. Many tightly woven fabrics come in warm, sophisticated tones, and smooth leather can look elegant for years.
If you also have young children, our guide on choosing a sofa for a UK home with young children covers many of the same durability questions from a family perspective.
Explore pet friendly sofa beds at Furniture in Fashion, where we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Tightly woven fabrics such as microfibre or performance weaves are usually the most practical. They resist claws, release hair easily and are simple to spot clean.
Leather does not trap hair and is easy to wipe, but cat claws can scratch it. Regular claw trimming and a throw on favourite spots help protect the surface.
Always check that your pet is not under or on the sofa bed before opening or closing it. Keeping pets out of the room during conversion is the safest habit.
A mid tone close to your pet’s coat colour usually works best, as it disguises hair between cleans better than very pale or very dark shades.
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