The best pet and kid-friendly materials for your furniture

At Studio HENK, the best materials are used to ensure that you can enjoy your furniture for generations. In a home full of playful pets and mischievous children, these materials must be resistant to stains, hair, and other stubborn everyday challenges. Since some furniture performs better than others in this regard, this blog explains which products, materials, and finishes from the Studio HENK collection are most resistant.

 

The most solid dining tables

The dining table is where you enjoy precious moments with your loved ones. It is important to be able to fully enjoy these moments without constantly worrying about spills, stains, and wear.

For these kinds of situations, we recommend a table made of oak wood, where the wood is protected with a strong hardwax oil. The combination of oil and wax fills the pores in the wood and together provides optimal protection of the tabletop against scratches and wear.

Like the oak top, an HPL Fenix tabletop is scratch-resistant thanks to its non-porous top layer. If a scratch does occur, it can be easily removed with a 'magic sponge'.

Prevent stains and hair

There is no fabric that can resist all stains, but paying attention to the fabric type and choosing the right color can make a huge difference.

When choosing the upholstery for your Studio HENK furniture, pay close attention to the following: when it comes to stains or pet hair, it's best to avoid light fabrics. Instead, choose a blended fabric like the Cube. This is a strong fabric with a coarse structure and mottled colors, on which stains are less noticeable.

Fabrics with a wool base are also a good option, as they have a natural water-repellent layer that prevents stains from penetrating the fabric as quickly (provided the stain is removed in time by dabbing with a cotton cloth). Synthetic fabrics do not have this property, but can be treated afterwards with a protective spray.

If you have a pet that likes to cuddle on the sofa, we recommend a fabric with a smooth texture, such as Toledo leather. Leather is a good choice because hairs do not stick to the smooth surface and it is relatively easy to maintain.

 

Avoid sharp edges

Another important point to consider when making your furniture 'kid-proof' is avoiding sharp edges. In our collection, you will find many soft and round shapes.

For example, choose a flat oval or Blob dining table top. Combined with a wooden or steel frame, there is always a combination that suits your interior.

For cabinets, we recommend the Oblique Cabinet, where the oval shape is reflected throughout the design. In the Ode dining chair and lounge chair, you can also see this shape in the armrests.



All our furniture can be custom-made. If you would like advice on which design suits you best, book a free interior design consultation session with one of our interior advisors in Amsterdam or Antwerp.