June 2021 — Comfort Works Blog & Sofa Resources

12 ways to protect your sofa from pets

Posted on June 23, 2021May 8, 2025 by Abel

Pets, pets, pets… We love them and they love us. But why don’t they love our sofas?

Well, I’m sure they love couches. Just not in the same way that we do since they like to bite or scratch the most important piece of our living room furniture.

To make life simpler, we have decided to share with you 12 ways to protect your sofa from pets. Hopefully these tips and ideas would be easy to apply with immediate results.

Ready to have an incredible sofa, even with pets in your home?

1. Have pet toys next to your sofa

This is probably the most common idea to prevent your dog from biting your sofa legs or your cat from scratching your sofa. Toys such as a chew toy or scratching post help pets to relax and play with them instead of your couch.

There are many types and designs, and it’s important to find the perfect one for your pet. Before purchasing anything, we recommend you to analyse your pet to identify if it loves to bite or scratch. Then you’ll be able to buy a pet toy accordingly.

Or, you can choose to make your own DIY scratching post.

Black and white dog biting dog toy — *Image: Unsplash*

2. Keep your pet’s nails trimmed

Another easy way to protect your sofa is just keeping the claws of your pets short and polished. This easy tip is also great for your pet’s health. Nails that are too long can chip and break, creating painful situations for your cat or dog.

They can also make standing and moving painful or awkward for your pet and in extreme situations, the nails can continue to grow until they curl around and become embedded in the paws of your pet’s feet. Just a few more reasons to keep your pet nails trimmed!

There’s also a very interesting product to avoid pets from scratching your sofa. It’s called Soft Paws and they’re tiny rubber nail caps that go on your cat’s claws with a sticky nail-polish-like glue.

These Soft Paws caps are small enough to allow your pet nails to retract normally, so they don’t feel any pain or discomfort. They also fall off naturally and you just need to reattach them as you go.

Soft Paws pet nail caps on cat claws — *Image: National Cat Groomers*

3. Buy a good and comfy pet bed or a pet couch cover

A great way to keep your pet from damaging the sofa is buying them a pet sofa or pet bed and teaching them to use it instead of the couch. Pet beds are also a great way to control fur dispersal, because it’ll be mainly all in the same place.

If your pets don’t like the bed you bought, you can try a pet couch cover that’s widely available online. Your pet will be able to use your sofa, without leaving hair or dirt on it.

dog sofa in brown vegan leather slipcovers — *Image: BLVD dog sofa in Savannah Saddle slipcovers by Comfort Works*

4. Close the door of your living room

At Comfort Works we are huge pet lovers, and we love to have our pets playing and walking all around our homes in a free way. But if you aren’t at home and you can’t control what your pets are doing, it’s important to protect the rooms where your pets can destroy furniture.

For example, just by closing the door of your living room you’ll prevent your pets from damaging your sofa. The alternative is to keep them in a room of their own if space allows it.

If your pets love to scratch a door when it’s closed, you can also buy a door scratch protector. They are available at Amazon, Target, Walmart and many local shops.

brown and white bulldog behind glass door — *Image: Unsplash*

5. Install a pet door in your home so pets can play outside

Many times pets just need a little bit of outdoor time to play, bite things and do all kinds of stuff that animals have to do. Installing a little pet entrance to your garden is a great way to ensure your pet will be entertained when you aren’t at home.

PetSafe pet door on Amazon — *Image: Amazon*

6. Give your pet plenty of exercise

Take your pet for a walk, play with it, take it to the park… These activities, in addition to improving the physical shape of your pet, will help when they get home to be more relaxed and calm.

Essentially these pets need stimuli and if they’re cooped up all day at home they’ll need something to take it out on – that’s right, your furniture becomes a victim.

If you don’t have enough time to do it during the day, you can always hire a dog walker or take your pet to an animal daycare centre where professionals can play with them and keep them entertained.

Black and white French bulldog bites tennis ball — *Image: Unsplashed*

7. Brush your pet’s hair regularly

We know how exhausting it can be to have pet hair all around the house. Just brushing your pet’s hair regularly you’ll prevent this issue and you’ll keep your pet clean and healthy.

In extreme cases, you can also buy vacuum cleaners that are the best for removing pets’ hair. There are many of them in the market, for different budgets and situations. We recommend a bagged vacuum to avoid pet hair to go flying every time you empty the vacuum cleaner. Of course, not every pet likes this.

Brushing a tabby cat's fur — *Image: Pexels*

8. Spray your furniture with citrus-scented air freshener

I love this tip because it’s so easy and cost effective! Not only do you keep your sofa smelling good and fresh but pets normally don’t like citrus scents.

As such they’ll need to look for other places to lounge on, allowing you to isolate spaces for better fur control.

Pawrents working with laptops with their Husky by their side — *Image: Pexels*

9. Pet gate

You could also keep your pets confined in a smaller space when you’re not at home with the help of pet gates. They’re readily available on many online shopping sites, so you can get them and build them in a shape you like or according to the boundaries you’d like to set around your house.

Husky behind pet gate Amazon — *Image: Amazon*

10. Double-sided tapes

This is probably not the most aesthetic solution but it works really well. You just need to spread double-sided tape on places of your couch where your pets love to scratch, like the sofa legs, the armrest, etc.

The sticky feeling of the double-sided tape will keep your pet away from the sofa. When buying the double-sided tape, remember to choose one which doesn’t leave a sticky residue on your furniture.

Sticky Paws double-sided tape for pets to prevent scratching — *Image: Amazon*

11. Aluminium foil

Try this trick: Place some aluminium foil on the sofa. A lot of pets are known to be afraid of loud noises. When they jump on the sofa, the noise made by the aluminium foil will make them run! While this doesn’t work on all pets, it’s been known as a good trick to use by many pet owners.

One thing to be cautious is that this may not be a good method if your pet has past traumas or other fears.

12. Pet-proof sofa covers

If all else fails, a pet-proof slipcover is the best way to protect your sofa from pets. At Comfort Works we have more than 70 types of fabrics to make our handmade slipcovers with. One of them is even designed specifically for pets: Clawproof Velvet sofa covers.

Cat scratching on clawproof sofa — *Image: Clawproof Velvet slipcovers*

The material used is a soft velvet that is tightly woven so that claws and teeth are unable to pierce through – which makes them the perfect protection against rowdy cats and dogs.

They are also available in a wide variety of covers and are tailor-fit to your sofa to keep it stylish. We recommend getting one that matches the colour of your pet’s fur. This way the fur won’t be so visible on your sofa, though the slipcovers can be machine-washed for periodic easy cleaning as well.

Dog biting on clawproof sofa — *Image: Trying to bite into our Clawproof Velvet slipcover*

If the look is not for you, some of our customers have shared that our leather slipcovers are also a great choice for pets as they are easy to clean with a damp cloth. It doesn’t attract hair like fabrics and is more odour-resistant than other materials.

Cats in general are also less likely to scratch leather, as there are little to no gaps for their claws to go through, but accidents do happen so it’s always recommended to trim their nails anyway. Prevention is always better than cure!

IKEA Karlstad in brown vegan leather slipcover — *Image: Vegan leather slipcover in Savannah Saddle*

The best way to test is by ordering some fabric samples and checking them in person. And don’t forget to rub them on your pets! You can order some of our fabric swatches here.

Try our samples

Hope these ideas will help you to protect your sofa! If you have more tips or advice for homes with pets, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment below. We always read them :)

If you are interested in learning more about our pet-proof sofa covers, visit us at our online store. You can also connect with us via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Have a nice day!

8 great pet-friendly plants

Posted on June 22, 2021May 8, 2025 by Naomi

Have you ever been asked, “Are you a plant person or a pet person?”

I personally believe you can be both. While it’s totally natural to worry about accidentally poisoning your cat or dog, there are tons of plants out there that are beautiful AND totally non-toxic to our furkids.

Here are a few of our favourites!

House plants

These are the plants that can tolerate medium to low light conditions, which make them ideal to have inside your home. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t also have them in your garden!

1. Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium Nidus)

Why the bird’s nest fern is so great:

Beautiful large green leaves (with no thorns!)
Easily accommodated – this fern is actually an epiphyte so it can be placed on a tree outdoors or in a pot indoors
It’s super hardy, and can survives in low to medium light
Only needs watering once a week

2. Rattlesnake plant (Calathea Lancifolia)

Why the rattlesnake plant is so great:

Killer stripes – I love the stunning contrast between the dark and light green foliage
It “Dances” throughout the day due to the flux of water pressure in the nodes running up the base of its leaves
It can survives in indirect light
Only needs watering once a week!

3. Spider plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)

Why we love it:

Cats seem to love playing with these pretty long leaves
It survives in indirect sunlight
So easy to propagate once pups show up!
Generally low maintenance, and only needs water once a week

Succulents, the ones that thrive on neglect

These are the plants that can survive (and even thrive!) under low-water conditions. Don’t have a green thumb? Don’t worry – you won’t need it here.

4. Zebra plant (Haworthia Attenuata) (but also any type of Haworthia)

Why it’s great:

It’s non-toxic!
Stiff plump leaves, with striking white on green stripes
It prefers bright full sun, but can do indoors just as well
Fun to cross-breed with other Haworthias, if you’re into that sort of thing
Only needs watering weekly or even fortnightly, depending on how hot your environment is!

Some of our favorite Haworthias include:
The “reptile” Haworthia (Haworthia Koelmaniorum)

Known for its unusual brown, leathery and bumpy foliage.

The “crystal” Haworthia (Haworthia Obtusa)

Known for its transparent “window” foliage, the leaves are almost totally see-through, making the stored water visible and truly gorgeous under the light. They all pretty much have the same care guide and are generally low-maintenance.

**5. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum – any)**

Why they’re so great:

Pretty rosette succulents that look like flowers but are really clumps of leaves
There are many variations, but they are generally non-toxic
They thrive in both full light and low heat areas
They’re fun (and easy) to propagate. These succulents get their name from the pups (chicks) that grow out of the mother-plant on stolen (smaller stem).
Cold-hardy and drought resistant – these guys thrive on neglect. (Great for those of us who tend to abandon our plant babies.)
In hot and dry areas, they only need to be watered once a week. In more humid areas, you can go as long as three to four weeks between watering.

Then there’s the unusual, exotic plants

If you are into the stranger side of things, you’ll love these plants! They are unlike the regular plants we see everyday and you’ll be surprised at how easy they are to look after.

6. Air plants (Tillandsia)

Why air plants are so great:

Beautiful foliage that tends to be plump and powdery.
They don’t require soil at all (WHAAT?) as they absorb moisture and nutrients from the air via their leaves
Only need bright indirect light to survive.
Just soak-and-dry once a week or mist them every two to three days
They are so pretty! They make great additions to a home via hanging from the ceiling, table-top centerpiece, or even mounted on walls. (Fun fact: air plants bloom once in their lifetime and their flowers are rather exquisite.)

7. Venus Flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula)

Why they’re great:

Natural pest control – these carnivorous plants feed on flies and other small insects
Their “teeth” aren’t actually sharp, so they cannot harm your pets or your fingers – don’t worry!
Relies on bright light and moisture retention. Sphagnum moss, peat moss, and distilled water does the trick. (Be careful not to use fertiliser or any nutrient-rich soil as this is like poison to these fellas.)
“Feed” them with a housefly or small insect once a week. One fish food pellet also does the job!

8. Marimo Ball (Aegagropila Linnaei)

Why they’re so great:

These ‘balls’ are a special type of moss ball originally found in Japan and Iceland. It is a rare, naturally-forming type of algae growth.
They’re great for most aquariums as they generate oxygen and remove nitrates from the water.
Don’t need much light! (They’re found naturally at the bottom of lakes.)
They grow very slowly and live for a very long time (two centuries or more!). They are even passed down as family heirlooms to symbolise close, everlasting bonds.
Can be kept in vases, jars, containers. Do not need air.
If it is in an aquarium, change the water as you normally would. If kept in a jar, you may not ever have to change the water if it remains clear!

So, who says you can’t have it all? These plants are all unique in their own way and each one has its own fun little quirk.

While you probably don’t have to worry if your pup mistakes your Haworthia for a chew toy or if your cat “accidentally” swallows your baby Marimo ball, you’d probably want to keep your pets from chomping on your plants. It is after all a responsible pet-rent thing to do!

How to grow a sofa with your family

Posted on June 15, 2021May 5, 2025 by Naomi

Ever been in someone’s living room and thought, “Wow, how did they come up with this setup?” because everything looks like they were made for each other? While picking out the right wall paint and setting up the right decor are important, we believe that the heart of every living room is the sofa. As the sofa experts, we know a thing or two about how to get started on creating and growing a sofa of your very own.

It starts with one

Whether it’s your parents’ old couch or your very own brand new sofa, your first piece is where it all begins. So, picture your first sofa and contemplate these details:

How many kids or pets do you see running around the house?
What kind of parties do you see yourself having and how many people do you see passed out on the couch?
Or maybe you only see yourself and your S.O. chilling in your one-piece snuggies, watching The Notebook while snacking on caramel popcorn?

What does the couch look like in all of those scenarios? A small loveseat? A 3-seater sofa? An L-shaped sofa with chaise? Does it have comfy round arms you can rest your head on without using a pillow, or low square arms you could leave your TV remote on? Maybe it’s part of a whole set but you decided to start off with just one piece and get the others later.

My personal rule of thumb is to look for something that is (a) comfy and (b) easily adaptable to my living space. This is how my S.O. and I chose our first sofa, the IKEA Friheten corner sofa with chaise.

Own-Friheten-Corner-Sofa-Bed — *My Friheten sofa*

It was perfect for us at the time. We had just moved into our cosy little one-bedroom apartment, and we needed something that could double as a bed in case we had friends crashing. The chaise that opens up into a storage compartment was also a total space-saving plus for us.

As far as comfort goes, I can safely say that it is definitely perfect for someone with lower back issues who needs something not too soft but not too stiff to lie back on Saturday afternoons… with her book. All jokes aside, it is definitely well-balanced between its firm structure and cushy upholstery.

For us, all the other details will come in handy later on when we move to a bigger house and decide to upgrade the sofa.

And then there were two (or more!)

So it has been a few years and you’re now moving to a bigger place. Maybe you’re married or maybe you’ve created a whole family of your own. Maybe you simply want a home upgrade. No matter the reason, the sofa you have is no longer practical for your new living space.

This would be the time to:

1) Plan and re-organise your new living space. How much more space do you have? This will tell you how many pieces you can fit in your living room and what components they should be.

2) Check your couch. Is it in one piece? Could it use a few repairs here and there or do you think you’ll need to buy a whole new one? This will help you decide if your original sofa should be in your new living room plan.

3) Think of your sofa as part of a set that you’re building. To simplify the plan, here is a breakdown of what all sofas essentially are as separate components:

Chair/single-seater section/armless chairs
2-seater or loveseat sofa/2-seater components
3-seater sofa/3-seater section
Chaise lounge/chaise sections
Ottomans/pouffe/footstools! (Yes, even them.)

Just like with your first sofa, the idea is to piece together the components you think will work best for your typical lounging activities. Once you’ve got a rough idea of what you want, you can get into the nitty-gritty details of what your sofa is actually going to become.

Making it work

Your sofa components should go hand in hand with one another, which means it is now up to you to make it look and feel like a complete set. The key to a perfect set is making it a perfect match in every way possible. Some pointers include:

1) Choosing from a modular series

These are sofa models that come separate components that can be put together to create as large or as small a sofa set as you wish. For example, take the IKEA Soderhamn set that allows a 3-seater sofa to be joined with a corner piece and a chaise to create one massive living room couch. Choosing from a modular series is ideal, as it shaves off all the extra work you’ll need to do in order to get your sofa components to work together.

Find everything you need to know about modular sectional sofas here!

2) Mixing and matching different sofa pieces that all go together

Worst-case scenario: you have no idea what model sofa you have or where it’s from or you just can’t find others that look like it. Now you’ve got three kids, two golden retrievers and no idea how to make your now-tiny sofa work. What now?

First thing’s first; calm down. Breathe. It’s not the end of the world! In fact, it’s totally fine to not have all matching pieces. You can always find other sofa components that complement each other in style and comfort.

For example, let’s just say you started off with a round-arm sofa as your main piece. You could get a whole other round-arm sofa, chaise or even sofa-bed to put it with. You could even pair that second piece with an ottoman. Ottomans (or footstools) are generally neutral and pretty much go with any kind of sofa. They can also be used alone as an extra seat.

If that still doesn’t feel right, all you will need is to get them all in coordinating colours and textures. What better way to do this than to get them all slipcovers? Once you’ve found out if your sofa components are slipcoverable, you will never have to worry about mismatched pieces ever again. Besides, being able to remove the covers and toss them into the washing machine is a plus for practicality!

Soderhamn-Slipcover-Process — *Installing slipcovers on all the Soderhamn sofa components*

If all else fails, don’t worry – your sofa set is yours to decide and design. Don’t let interior design ‘rules’ influence what you want or like – you can just choose different pieces for your living room that go together. Remember Monica’s apartment in F.R.I.E.N.D.S.?

MONICA'S APARTMENT — Image credit: NBC / Getty Images

At the end of the day, it all depends on how you feel about it. If it makes you and your family happy, then why not? :)

If your living room is in need of a cohesive new look, matching sofa slipcovers could be the answer you’re looking for. Take our fabric samples for a spin to find the best solution for your home.

Travel around the world this summer – without leaving your living room

Posted on June 7, 2021May 5, 2025 by Comfort Works team

Nature rings its signals when the seasons are changing – a reminder to us that time is moving on even though life feels like it’s standing still. It may seem a little premature to make any holiday plans just yet, even though the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. We may feel a little cabin fevered, confined to our homes and geographical borders, but that’s not to say we can’t do a little armchair travelling of our own.

Here’s a roundup of some trips you can take without packing your bags or passport. All you’ll need is your imagination and appetite for wonder. (And maybe a trip back to pre-pandemic times where life seemed easier.)

Movies

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, for an exhilarating dash around the world

This 2013 film was meant to shake salarymen out of their stupor and go for that thing they’re afraid of. See the world! Try that thing! Get out there! These days, it’s a wonderful balm (or maybe catalyst?) for that wanderlust ache as we all wait to travel again.

Based on the 1939 short story by James Thurber, the movie stars (and was directed by) Ben Stiller as Walter Mitty, who is working on the final issue of Life magazine. He finds himself saddled with a task that takes him out of his chair, embarking on an unexpected adventure of a lifetime. This film is worth it for the cinematography alone: almost every frame is a perfectly composed photograph. Available on Amazon Prime.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi, for the bustle of Tokyo

Jiro Ono is an 85-year-old sushi master of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only diner and once a Michelin three-star restaurant. This documentary profiles Jiro’s dedication to his craft and perfection, as well as explores the legacy he intends to leave with his sons. Guaranteed to make you craving for sushi and if Japan wasn’t on your travel bucket list before – it will be now. Available on Hulu.

The Mitchells vs the Machines, for a good old-fashioned roadtrip

What would once have been a summer blockbuster at the movies is now available for the whole family to enjoy on a Friday night at home. Katie Mitchell can’t wait to start her first year at film school – and get away from her family. But her parents have other plans to bond before she flies the nest. But those plans are soon thwarted by a robot uprising – now it’s up to them to save the planet and each other. It’s Little Miss Sunshine meets I, Robot – but with all the good feels. What’s a summer holiday without a family vacation? At this point, we even miss those car ride squabbles. Available on Netflix.

TV shows

Outlander, for rolling Scottish highlands

Adapted from the best-selling book series of the same name by Diana Gabaldon, this drama than transports you around the world, but also through time. WWII British Army nurse Claire travels back to 1743 and finds herself caught between two lives, two men and two timelines. If you’re not already taken by the rolling Scottish highlands, Outlander has romance and politics, intrigue and suspense – at the very least, it’ll take you right out of reality for a while. Available on Netflix.

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, for endless scenes of Stanley Tucci being charming in Italy

If Stanley Tucci has been regaling your lockdowns with his cocktail hour, then you’ll be ready to go on a trip with him across Italy to discover its many regional cuisines. A feast for the eyes (and your stomachs) – you’ll be in for a treat. Available on CNN Go.

The Bold Type, for glamorous New York moments

This light-hearted dramedy is perfect for if ever you wanted to reminisce being back in an office. Set in the offices of a fictional women’s magazine called Scarlet, The Bold Type is about three 20-something millennials navigating career, relationships and identity – all while beautifully dressed and set up against the glamourous backdrop of New York City. Kat, Sutton and Jane make Scarlet, the office you’d want to work at. Available on Netflix.

Podcasts

The Travel Diaries with Holly Rubenstein

Best described as the travel version of famed radio programme (and now podcast) Desert Island Discs, The Travel Diaries features celebrity guests sharing travel experiences that have shaped them in their lifetime. Famed guests include actor Dev Patel, chef Heston Blumenthal, fashion designer Anya Hindmarch and more. Guaranteed to stoke that wanderlust fire in you.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Books

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ by Kevin Kwan

Although the movie adaptation came out in 2018, the novel is peppered with so many more nuances which embellish the lifestyles of the rich and ‘famous’ in glitzy Singapore. A light-hearted read which takes you into the cultures, traditions and gastronomic delight of the Southeast Asian city state – you won’t have to be crazy, rich or Asian to enjoy what Singapore has to offer.

‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig

Published in the midst of the pandemic, perhaps this story was what everyone needed while in deep despair. This novel is about a library beyond the edge of the universe with an infinite number of books, each with a story of another reality (from your current own). If you ever wondered how your life might’ve turned out differently if you’d taken another route, this story follows Nora Seed as she searches within herself and travels through the Midnight Library to find what makes life worth living in the first place.

‘Beach Read’ by Emily Henry

With a title like that, you’ll be hard pressed to find something else that will transport you out of your home. This could be a literal beach read – it’s definitely got all the makings of one. Two people, complete opposites, but are they perfect for each other? (Spoiler alert: they almost always are!) A feel good romance to look forward to, with or without the holiday.

Mabel Ho is a writer and editor. She loves pop culture criticism and podcasts, often listening to them at 1.5x speed like a monster. Follow her at @lynnegweeny

Month: June 2021