When designing their home’s interiors, many people choose elements that reflect their personal tastes. They might choose a lot of white and wood furniture for a minimalist feel, or fill the rooms with plants if they love being close to nature. However they choose to decorate their home, the goal is to create comfortable spaces to rest in and share with the entire household—even their furry members.
Unlike the human members of your household, however, pets aren’t conscious about leaving hair on the furniture or staining the floor with dirty paws. As such, you might avoid getting beautiful items because you’re worried your pet might ruin them. But this doesn’t have to be the case. There are many different ways to make your home look chic but still be pet-friendly too. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next home renovation project, here are five design tips you should consider.
Get Chic Pet Furniture
When buying furniture, consider your pet’s needs, too. For example, getting them a cozy dog bed will help keep pet hair off your couch and give your furry friend a comfortable sleeping area. If your dog often retreats to a corner or enclosed place, you can purchase customizable dog teepee houses for them. These are more attractive than the usual metal pet crate, so they won’t clash with your home’s aesthetic. More importantly, teepees offer your pet the nestled-in feeling that they tend to seek out in scary situations, such as during thunderstorms or fireworks displays.
While shopping for pet furniture, look for pieces that are also easy to clean. Choose beds with removable and washable covers or dog teepee houses that are machine-washable. This way, you can keep your dog’s furniture clean and it won’t look like an eyesore against your beautifully-designed interiors.
Protect Your Bed
Even housebroken dogs can have accidents sometimes. This is something you’ll need to think about if your dog likes to snuggle with you on your bed. Protect your mattress by adding a thick pad to cover it. The pad will help keep any liquids away from the cushion, which can be difficult to clean and deodorize.
Additionally, use bed sheets in medium hues or those with patterns. This design tip can help camouflage pet hairs or stains in between washes. It’s also a good idea to use duvet covers as bedspreads because you can easily take them off and wash them if they get dirty. Apart from protecting your bed from dust and dander, using bed covers can make your bedroom look cozier and well-designed.
Set up a Doggie Mudroom
As you’re designing your home, think about your lifestyle as a pet owner. You probably have to take your dog out regularly for walks, or you might have a yard that your pup loves to play in. If you have the space for it, set up a mudroom either by the front or back door. Use this spot to clean up your dog after they’ve been outdoors to keep the rest of your home clean.
Aside from storing your coats, bags, and dirty shoes, you can also use this space to hang your dog’s leashes and store pet toys. Additionally, consider installing built-in shelves in the mudroom for storing dog towels or dog wipes so you can remove dirt from your dog’s fur and paws before they enter the other parts of your house.
Choose Colors that Match Your Dog’s Fur
If you’re searching for color inspiration for your space, just look at your dog’s fur. Paint your concrete floor in the same white hue as your Maltese for an elegant look, or pick a honey-colored sofa for an inviting vibe that matches your golden retriever’s coat. This decorating tip won’t just enhance your home’s aesthetic value but is also very practical for maintaining a clean house because the hair your pet leaves behind won’t stand out. Just imagine having pristine white floors with a black Labrador roaming in your home. You’ll most likely spot black hair scattered everywhere.
Pick Pet-Friendly Upholstery
Pets can claw, drool, or leave pet hair on your upholstery, which can be unpleasant to look at. Unless you want your couch and other furniture to have stains or scratches, it’s better to invest in pet-friendly fabrics like microfiber and leather.
Microfiber is a synthetic material that’s also known to be stain resistant. Liquids don’t seep as quickly through microfiber surfaces, and the tight weave prevents snagging from your dog’s claws. If your pet leaves a mess, you can easily clean microfiber fabric using soap and water, while pet hair can be removed with a vacuum or lint brush. This material is quite soft and has a velvet-like texture, so they’re very comfy and look chic.
Leather, on the other hand, is another great choice for sofas and chairs. It’s durable and easy to wipe clean. If your dog has an accident, clean the area immediately by gently blotting the affected spot with a lightly moistened cloth. Pet hair won’t stick to the material’s smooth surface, and minor scruffs and scratches from your pet will simply blend into the leather’s natural patina over time. Combined with its timeless aesthetic appeal, leather upholstery is perfect for creating chic interiors that are also pet-friendly.
Sharing your living spaces with your pet shouldn’t stop you from designing a beautiful home. With some smart choices, you can achieve the look you want while making the necessary accommodations for your pet’s needs. In this way, you can create a comfortable and charming home that all members of the family can enjoy.
Photo by BRUNO EMMANUELLE on Unsplash