Pets vs interior design: The hacks

This one hits close to home! We have two dogs and two cats and despite the joy they bring to our home… they are relentless destroyers of it. So, with a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to pets and interior design, I thought I would share some steps that can help tackle keeping your home looking great despite our furry friends.

It’s all about the base: Pet-friendly flooring

Most people expect to be told that wood and carpet are a no no with pets, but that doesn’t need to be the case.

• Wood floors - Investing in hardwood flooring is a much better option than softwood if you are looking for something to last. Although it is often more expensive, hardwood will stand up to paws and claws in the long run, as long as it is treated with a high-quality finish.
  

• Carpet – So the good news is you can still have carpet with pets! But do make sure that you think about your colour choices if you are going to be in an area with muddy paws and if possible, always treat your carpet to be stain resistant.
  

• Rugs – All rugs are possible if looked after properly, but a really easy choice is using washable rugs like Ruggable, that can be quickly popped in your washing machine should any accidents occur. Also, hard wearing rugs made of natural fibres like jute and sisal will work well and stand up to those paws and claws.
  

• Still not convinced. You can opt for LVT which stands for “Luxury Vinyl Tile”.  Don’t worry, unlike vinyl flooring of the past (which came as a roll and resembled linoleum), LVT today comes as a plank or tile and has come on massively in the last few years. Let me know if you would like to see some of my top picks!
  

TIP – buy a spot carpet cleaner machine and make sure to clean any accidents as soon as they happen. Also giving carpets and upholstery a monthly clean with this will help to keep your materials fresh even with your four-legged friends. 

Pet-Proof Your Furniture

To prevent your furniture from becoming a chew toy or scratching post, opt for pet-friendly fabrics like microfiber or leather or make sure to get your furniture treated to be stain resistant.

You can also use furniture covers or slipcovers to protect your sofas and chairs from dirt and pet hair. There are lots of slipcovers that can be made with the exact dimensions of your sofa in mind. But if you can’t find the exact thing you are looking for, then picking some great throws to put over furniture can be an excellent alternative.

Built in pet stations 

We have spoken before about how great bespoke joinery can be when renovating your home, and this has never been truer than when designing your home with your four-legged friends in mind. From a hidden litter box carefully integrated into your utility or boot room storage through to a dog bed designed into the bottom of your kitchen units. With the right planning and a great carpenter, you can make your pets needs seamlessly integrated into the beautiful joinery in your home.   

Designate zones

We know that designing your whole home to be durable and easy to clean is a good idea when you have pets, but let’s be honest that is a bit boring and restrictive.

One of the best ways to combat this is to designate no (or only supervised) pet areas. This could be your bedroom, your entertaining space or TV nook. This space can then be designed as normal, using all the fabrics and finishes that are not going to stand up to the rigger of an animal filled home. Delightful.

Make your pet furniture a thing of beauty

Provide your dog with their own designated space, such as a cosy pet bed to keep them comfortable and off the furniture is also a good idea. For inspiration on some beautiful pet beds and accessories check out our Instagram channel.

Designing your home with animals in mind doesn't mean sacrificing style or comfort. With some thoughtful planning, you can create a pet-friendly environment that doesn’t impact on your home design.  

We love to see designs that have worked well, so please share with us any of your pet vs interior design hacks.