If you have pets, you don’t have to give up the comfort of making your home look nice and feel like a safe place. You can still have a stylish and functional space that works for both you and your furry friends, even if they shed, scratch, get muddy paws, or have an accident every now and then.
When it comes to pet-friendly decor, you need to be careful about the materials you choose, the colors and finishes you use, and the layers you make so that they can handle everyday wear and tear. In this article, we will cover how to choose the best furniture, fabrics, flooring, and accessories to keep your own looking polished while standing strong against Paw and clause.
Fabrics and Your Pets
Try to choose fabrics that can take a beating and bounce back. When it comes to pets, not all fabrics are the same. Some get stuck easily, soak up stains, or stick to pet hair like magnets. Instead, look for materials like tightly woven fabrics so that the claws can’t get stuck in them. Stain-resistant or treated fabrics that are easy to clean. Low static fabrics to keep fur away, and durable ones that can withstand the rough play or naps of your pets.
When choosing fabrics for furniture that are safe for pets, look for a microfiber or a microsuede. This type of material is soft, strong, and easy to clean. It makes brushing pet hair off easy, and stains. Don’t soak in very often. Leather is another great option; it’s easy to clean and doesn’t smell. However, be careful, because sharp claws can scratch the surface. You could choose distressed leather to hide marks.
Canvas is another great option, because this material is great for slip covers and is strong, with the ability to be washed in the machine. Outdoor fabrics are made to withstand the weather and don’t fade or soak up water. These are another great option for pet owners. You’ll want to avoid fabrics like silk, velvet, chanille, and boucle because these are all delicate fabrics; they can snag, stain, and wear out easily.
Pet Safe Colors and Patterns
When you’re designing, think about what your real life looks like and your pet’s fur. Your decor’s color and pattern can help hide pet messes between cleanings.
You can pick patterns or textured weaves that help hide stains in fur. Making sure that your furniture color matches your pet fur will help make shedding less noticeable. If your pets have light colored or dark colored hair, stay away from pure white and very dark colors. These colors will show every hair.
When you have pets, earth tones, grays, and warm neutrals are usually the best colors to go with.
Flooring that Lasts and is Easy to Clean
Paws put a lot of wear on floors, so try to plan ahead. One of the most important things to think about when making a home pet-friendly is the flooring. The right material will be scratch-resistant, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean. The best types of floors for pets:
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): Highly durable, water-resistant, and budget-friendly.
- Tile: Scratch-proof and easy to clean, tile is ideal for high-traffic, pet-frequented areas.
- Sealed hardwood: While more vulnerable to scratches, some harder woods (like oak or hickory) can stand up better, especially when paired with rugs or protective coatings.
You can put down machine-washable rugs and rubber-backed runners where people and pets walk a lot to protect the floor and give your pet a better grip. This is a better option than putting carpet down from wall to wall. This is because wall-to-wall carpet is hard to clean, smells bad, and stains easily.
Keeping Furniture Safe
Washable throws and slip covers will be your best friend. A little extra protection can help even the toughest upholstery. You can use useful and pretty coverings to layer your decor. You can pick stylish slip covers that are fitted for your chairs and sofas. A lot of them are water and stain-resistant and can be washed in the machine.
Try putting blankets and throws over places your pet likes to hang out. You can change them out every season, and they are easy to clean. Finding furniture covers just for pets have waterproof linings and backings that keep them from slipping.
By using these tips, you can also change the look of your space without having to worry about long-term damage to your pet.
Surfaces and Finishes
You want to have strong furniture. Claws and chewing can be a big problem, especially for young pets or breeds that are very active. Try to pick furniture and accessories with finishes that are strong and won’t hurt your pets. For wood furniture, choose finishes that are rough or weathered to hide imperfections. Small stains and scratches. Try putting corner protectors on things that are important to you.
Using metal legs and frames makes it harder to chew on and scratch than wood. Tempered glass is also easy to clean, but it can get nose prints on it. It’s best for places for pets. Don’t rub up against it very often. To keep furniture from scratching the floor when your dog bumps into them, try adding felt pads on the legs of your chair, chairs, and tables.
Areas for Your Pet
Give your pets a nice place to sleep and play. Adding separate areas for your pet can help keep things from getting too messy and make your home look better with your pet’s lifestyle. You can find built-in or standalone pet beds that match the color scheme of your furniture. Toy storage baskets come in woven or canvas styles that can look great on display.
You can make their feeding station in the corner, where it’s easy to clean with wipeable mats or trays. You can also find stylish crates or indoor kennels that can also be used as end tables or consoles. You can give your pet their own space, and reduce where on your main furniture by designing around their needs.
What Not to Use
A home that is safe for pets is also safe for people. Think about safety as well as durability. Don’t have a lot of loose wires or cords, you can tie them back or use covers. Floor length drives are another bad idea, because pets can pull them down or hide in them. It’s not a great idea to have delicate knick-knacks or glass pieces on low tables, because this could be dangerous for your pet. Having plants that are bad for pets could also be an issue; make sure you look into what plants are safe for your pet.
Instead of using wall-mounted shelves to decorate, and pet-safe house plants to add color. For traction, think about using rugs with a nonslip backing. Pet proofing, along with designing your home for your pet, goes ahead in hand.
Adding Accessories
You can keep things fresh and still looking good. Choose home decor that is easy to clean and doesn’t smell. Try to find curtains and cushions that can be washed in the machine. Use air purifiers that are safe for pets in rooms where they hang out.
You can make a deodorizer out of baking soda or charcoal, and hide it in corners where it won’t be seen. Storage bins for treats and supplies that are sealed tightly and look nice on open shelves can add a sense of style. Having accessories that are easy to clean, wash, or wipe down, the easier it is to keep your home smelling fresh.
Conclusion
You don’t have to give up style or setting for furniture that looks like it belongs in a kennel just because you have pets. You can make a space that looks and feels good for both people and pets by using materials and finishes. They can handle claws, fur, and the odd accident.
Having a home that is pet-friendly is one that is strong, comfortable, and easy to take care of. You can have a stylish, lo mein, and space where everyone, fur or not, feels at home if you do it the right way.
