Pet Friendly Home Decoration

Pet Friendly Home Decoration

Bulldog on gray sofa

Your new pup could be so adorable that he has thousands of followers on Instagram. But how cute is he when he throws himself over your couch? What if your cat scratches your favorite armchair?

Don’t worry – a pet and a beautiful home are not mutually exclusive.

But remember that accidents will happen so you can’t be too precious about anything. (If you are, owning a pet might not be the right decision for you.) The key is to decorate your home with animal-friendly surfaces and fabrics to minimize damage and cut cleaning time. Our designers love home decor as much as their pets. So they have outlined the things to consider and avoid when renovating a home or renovating a rental property. Keep these tips in mind to avoid costly mistakes.

Carpets

Golden retriever on shag rug in blue living room

Carpets are great for defining spaces and making them pop. Unfortunately, they can easily be covered in dirt, fur, and more. Also, keep items on the floor to a minimum. For example, it might appear like a chef is leaning works of art on the wall, but if you don’t dust these areas regularly, they can act as magnets for dust and hair. It can be a tempting place for dogs too if you know what we mean.

Do the following: Choose sturdy fabrics that can withstand heavy use.

Carpets made from fabrics such as sisal, silk, and wool are good choices for pet owners because they are sturdy and can be cleaned. Patterns and colored carpets can also help mask flakes and light stains.

Not: Choose materials that discolor easily.

Avoid carpets in fabrics like viscose, rayon, rayon (short for “artificial” and not “artful” or “artistic”, in case you are wondering). These rugs can be gorgeous, but overall, they’re too fragile to withstand life with a pet.

Image about country life

Flooring

white kitchen hardwood floor dog

Any hard surface flooring will obviously be more forgiving of pets than textiles, but there are a few other things you can do to keep things as clean as possible. For example, use a feather duster on your hard floor a few times a week or every day if your dog or cat has a serious shed.

Do the following: Choose floors that can withstand scratches and moisture.

Tile is a great flooring option for pet owners, but you probably don’t want them in every single room. In that case, try sealed hardwood or synthetic wood, which is durable and less expensive than hardwood.

Not: Choose light carpeting if you’re going crazy.

Wall-to-wall carpeting is fine, but obviously more difficult to clean than tile or wood, and especially light colors are more likely to stain. Make sure you seal the rug to avoid staining and save yourself the hassle if you are obsessed with keeping a white rug pristine.

Image via Architectural Digest

pad

Bulldog gray cut light pillow

Even if you don’t allow your dogs or cats to sit on the furniture (and you actually believe they won’t jump up there the second you go to work), pet hair somehow seems to end up all over the place. All over. And when they reign freely on your furniture, dirty paws and sharp claws can hit the upholstery.

Do: Opt for fabrics that will withstand stains.

Consider reupholstering your sofa or chairs with indoor and outdoor fabrics that can withstand frequent use without feeling hard or scratchy. Commercial fabrics are another great option as they are designed for high traffic. Leather is another permanent option, and you can simply wipe off pet hair. Be sure to choose one with more patina, however, to camouflage scratch marks.

Not: Buy furniture made from fabrics that pinch or easily scratch pet fur.

Some fabrics like velvet and Boucle, seem like fur magnets. And once the fur is there, it can feel impossible to remove. Avoid delicate leathers with smooth, even surfaces. A faulty claw could transform it from a statement to a special offer for the yard sale.

Image via Gala Darling