How to pet-proof the living room without sacrificing on decor and style

Last Sunday my friends Meera and Rohan rang me up in a panic. They’d just paid for a pale‑grey sofa, but their indie dog Bruno thinks every new cushion is an extra chew toy. “How do we keep the living room looking good?” they asked. The answer isn’t to ban the dog from the sofa. It’s to choose materials that forgive the occasional paw print and keep your style intact.

1. Pick strong Indian hardwoods

Skip soft pine. Go for teak, acacia, or rosewood. These woods have tight grains that shrug off claw marks. Because they’re solid, a quick sand and a wipe of clear, low‑VOC polish can erase most scratches. Always ask your carpenter to round off sharp corners so teeth and tails do less damage.

2. Safe finishes, happy lungs

Old varnishes can smell like a paint factory. Water‑based, low‑VOC sealers are tougher than they look and kinder to everyone in the house. Choose a satin or matte look—tiny scratches blend right in.

3. Fabrics that forgive muddy paws

Look for tightly woven microfibre, canvas, cotton twill or chenille. Most spills bead up before they soak in. A quick spray of fabric protector once every six months adds an extra shield. Give cushions, sofas and even rugs a light mist and wipe up messes with a damp cloth.
Small patterns are your secret friend: herringbone, tweed or speckled boucle hide fur far better than flat colours. And zip‑off covers make laundry day simple—just toss and wash.

4. Décor tweaks that make life easier

• Toy control: Keep rattan or canvas baskets near the seating area so toys disappear in seconds.
• Food and water zone: Sit bowls on a pretty tray or a slim stone slab; spills stay contained and it looks intentional.
• Scratching instinct: Swap one side table for a rope‑wrapped post topped with a wooden tray. Your cat gets a scratch spot and you keep the surface for coffee mugs.
• Throws on rotation: Keep two washable throws. When one’s in the wash, the other covers the dog’s favourite armrest.
That same fabric protector spray works on floor runners too—perfect under the dining table where gravy meets wagging tails.

5. Hardware and accents that don’t quit

• Powder‑coated steel legs on tables shrug off teeth marks.
• Non‑tipping ceramic planters survive excited tails.
• Tempered‑glass tops handle the odd flying toy.
6. Expect a few scratches—and keep a tiny repair kit
Even with smart choices, life happens. Store a matching wood touch‑up pen, a scrap of spare fabric and a gentle cleaner. Fix what you can, laugh off what you can’t, and remember the house is full of love, not museum pieces.

7. A quick look ahead
Designers are testing mushroom‑based “leather” for stools—plant‑made and surprisingly claw‑resistant. Modular chair arms you can clip off and swap after a chewing spree are almost here. Furniture is learning to adapt as fast as our pets find new mischief.

In all, pet-proofing chic isn’t about plastic covers or endless “No!” commands. It’s choosing hardy Indian woods, safe finishes, stain-resistant fabrics, and décor accents that double as practical helpers. Build in forgiveness, keep a repair kit handy, and let the occasional scratch remind you that your home is full of life—and that’s exactly how it should be.

By: Archana Kumari, Lead, Brand Marketing, Pepperfry