No matter if you already own pets or plan to get some, when designing your home it is important to take into account their needs when making any modifications – from simple upgrades that can be implemented quickly through major renovations. Here are some pet-friendly suggestions and advice.
Choose fabrics that are easy to maintain and cover up any shedding fur, as well as remove plants that could potentially poison their bodies.
Keep it Clean
Maintaining a clean home for pet owners can seem like an uphill battle, with shed fur on sofas, muddy footprints on carpets and potty accidents all being part of daily life with pets.
Well, the good news is that there are design choices you can make to help keep your home clean with pets. Select fabrics that can withstand claws and dirt without easily being washed off and non-slip properties to help. Many retailers now provide performance fabrics made specifically with pets in mind which offer traditional fabrics but with added features to withstand wear and tear from pet wear and tear.
Making housecleaning with pets simpler means creating a mudroom or entry area where you can quickly wipe down pet mess before entering other rooms of your home. A simple solution might include placing a woven rug near the entryway or laundry room so you can wipe down shoes and paws before entering any further into your house.
Keep it Safe
Pets bring immense happiness into our lives, yet can also present unique design challenges. From shedding fur and leaving muddy footprints behind to chewing and scratching habits, living with pets can sometimes prove challenging if we’re not careful.
Making your home pet-friendly doesn’t have to mean compromising style. There are plenty of stylish yet pet-friendly decor choices out there, from rugs that conceal dirt and staining to furniture designed specifically with pet owners in mind. Additionally, innovative technologies like performance fabrics are being designed specifically to withstand everyday life with pets.
Hard surfaces such as hardwood flooring may help minimize odor-trapping carpet, while wall materials should avoid embossed textures that attract pet fur. When selecting upholstery pieces, opt for fabric with low pile so they can easily be cleaned while resisting the temptations to chewing.
Keep it Fun
Any pet owner knows that fur can be an ongoing concern. But smart design strategies can make shedding easier, such as selecting furniture with easy maintenance requirements such as microsuede or leather, as well as investing in stain resistant paint for additional stain prevention and easier wiping clean.
Kittens and puppies can be curious creatures, so it’s essential that when they first enter your home they feel secure. This could involve installing low shelves to store breakables safely or placing a small dog/cat bed near where they hang out frequently.
Intelligent features such as washing stations in laundry rooms and mudrooms can make cleaning up after outdoor play easier, and by including a plant list from an organization like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), such as in your landscaping plan, you can ensure your yard remains free from toxic plants that might pose risks to both pets and children alike.
Keep it Beautiful
No matter if you own pets or not, these home design tips will ensure your animals feel right at home in any home they occupy. From cutting edge innovations such as performance fabrics to multipurpose pet furniture pieces that add aesthetics and function, there are numerous ways to make your house beautiful while making sure all members of the household are contented and content.
Avoid carpet and choose hard surfaces like tile or hardwood flooring instead, which are less prone to trapping pet hair and odors. Carpets also tend to attract claws and can become damaged by accidental scratches.
To keep your pet-friendly home beautiful, consider keeping the decor as minimal and straightforward as possible. Avoid using textures such as embossed materials that could aggravate sensitive skin on your pet; and choose wall colors with semi-gloss, satin or eggshell finishes which cover dirt better.
