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Aesthetic homes are an entire mood. Cream-colored decor, easy-to-stain cloth furniture, and delicate breakables can be seen on every Instagram image we see—but what about my fellow people with children and pets? How can we still get homes that look stylish while still creating functional spaces that can stand the true test of stains, spills, and wear/tear? Achieving this is completely possible, but it will take a little extra knowledge of pet and family-friendly fabrics that will work with your lifestyle.
Top things to know about pet and family-friendly (aka durable) fabrics for the home:
When in doubt, opt for faux leather. In our home, you will find an abundance of faux leather. Faux leather holds up better to scratches and claw marks, repels most stains and pet activities, and allows pet hair to be more visible so you can clean it quickly.
Faux leather comes in various colors, has a stylish modern aesthetic, and can be paired well with knit throws, furs, or fun patterned fabrics to make your pieces stand out.
A fabric I can't get enough of in my home is velvet. I opt for velvet or microfiber-based fabrics in my house because they are generally indestructible. Velvet has a dense top layer that spills don't easily sink into. It also doesn't have "loops," so you can avoid pet claw snags. If your velvet furniture does pick up a stain, don't fret; velvet is awesome because stains you can easily mask stains.
To keep your velvet looking funky and fresh, vacuum it, use a lint roller to remove pet hair, or use a squeegee to keep this fabric looking vibrant.
Twill and denim are two sturdy fabrics that will stand the test of time. These fabrics come in an unlimited amount of colors. They hide soil stains well and outlast materials with heavy yarns in one direction and thin yarns in the other. Some popular decor items that look great with these fabrics are throw pillows and area rugs.
One of my favorite fabrics is Sunbrella — a trademarked name for solution-dyed acrylic. Sunbrella fibers are UV resistant, which makes them resistant to fading. Sunbrella fabric is environmentally friendly and is also resistant to mold, mildew, and bleach cleanable. There are over 200 styles of Sunbrella fabrics to choose from, including multiple textures. Sunbrella fabric was initially intended for use in outdoor spaces but is becoming increasingly popular for interiors as well, given its durability.
Polyester is a great budget-friendly fabric choice. Polyester fabric mimics the feeling of silk's sheen. This fiber is often blended with cotton and offers protection against wrinkling, fading, and abrasions. You will always want to test out your polyester fabric decor and furniture before buying them to ensure that they feel warm enough if you live in a hot climate or are too scratchy for your taste.
These five fabrics will help you keep your same design style and preferences while achieving a livable space where everyone can feel at peace. Design can be stylish even when you have little ones or fur babies. So don't be afraid to get creative with fabrics, textures, and colors—you will be surprised how much fun you will have.
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