There aren’t enough adjectives in the world to describe our love of pets. Adorable, cuddly, cute & wonderful barely scrape the surface. The fact is, we love our animal companions, for making us laugh or being up for a cuddle when we need it most.
But many of us also love good interior design and furniture in our home, and we know it can be tough to have a stylish home and keep pets at the same time.
However, you don’t have to compromise on a stylish interior to create a pet-proof house. These 4 tips can help you combine amazing interior design with pet-friendly décor to create a home that’s perfect for you and your furry friend(s).
Make Your Floors as Resilient as Possible
Your pets spend a lot of time eating, sleeping and playing on your nice floors, which means it’s important you have the kind of flooring that will look good and result in minimal work for you.
If you have the choice, get rid of your carpets. Not only does carpet absorb stains, odors and fur, carpet can be difficult to clean and you can’t ever be sure a stain or odour is fully removed, no matter how much cleaning you do.
If carpet is non-negotiable, low-pile options are easier to clean. Avoid those continuous loop styles. These can be easily pulled up by cat’s claws and can look ugly in a hurry.
Alternatively, lay down some large, affordable rugs or sisal over the heavy-traffic areas. Rubber mats or rugs made of an indoor/outdoor material are both good picks and simple to hose down.
For floors without carpet, wood is a safe choice. It’s durable, easy-to-clean and you can always apply a coat of varnish if it’s looking tired. However, it’s still not the perfect, fool proof solution as your pet’s paws can scratch wood easily. It’s still safer than marble or natural stone though, which can be permanently stained.
The best pet-friendly floor options are concrete or ceramic tile, which are easy to manage. They can be mopped or vacuumed, they’re scratch resistant and they don’t absorb odours or stains. What’s more, your pets will love their cool surface in summer.
Choosing the right fabrics
When it comes to rough-and-tumble play, pets and children are fairly similar, so the materials you use around children are also good choices for animals.
Firstly, rule out any fabrics like velvet or silk. They are far too delicate and can be a magnet for pet hair.
Synthetic materials like microfiber and ultra-suede are better. They’re durable and stain-resistant, but they can also stain and still gather some unwanted hairs.
Leather is a great pet-friendly choice because it stays looking fresh, even after you wipe or vacuum it. It can attract minor scuffs and scratches from pup and kitty claws, but such blemishes can actually create patina, the desirable aged-leather look.
If you simply can’t resist a stunning dining chair or sofa that just isn’t pet friendly, consider using washable couch and dining chair covers to protect the upholstery. And finally, choose fabrics that will hide your pet’s fur. For example, if you have a black cat, consider dark fabric colours.
Buy and maintain pet and human-friendly décor
Animals are drawn to humans, which is why cats and dogs love jumping on couches. But if they have their own bit of furniture, they may be drawn to nap there.
Dog beds are a must in every household, but they don’t have to look misplaced. Tie them into your existing décor. If you have leather couches, get a leather dog bed. If you have wicker dining chairs, get a wicker dog basket.
Make sure your furniture is safe for your pets as well. If you have playful pets, choose sturdy furniture with rounded edges. And remove any furniture that might tempt your pet to reach greater heights – choose tall tables with stools for those incessantly-hungry pooches always trying to nab the night’s supper.
It’s a no-brainer that keep your living area looking good by maintaining it well. Vacuum your floors and furniture twice a week, or even more if you have a pet that sheds copious amounts of fur, and deep clean your carpets at least once a year to target any deeper stains or odours.
You can also combat housekeeping problems at the source. Groom your pet with regular baths and brushing to remove loose hair and trim any overgrown nails.
With these 3 tips, you can enjoy your pets and a beautiful interior design through careful selection of interior furniture, the right floors, and a consistent cleaning routine! And be sure to check out other furniture tips over on our Brosa blog.
Author’s Bio
Kate Smith is a content producer at Brosa, who uses her background in interior design to help people make the most of their homes. A busy mother of two, Kate divides her time between decorating hundreds of properties, styling product shoots and writing articles for Brosa’s blog. For this post, Kate enlisted the help of Brosa’s lead designer Kelly King. Outside of work, Kate is a big fan of comfy beds and summer ice-creams.
