Can You Really Have a Pet-Friendly and Stylish Home? (Spoiler: Absolutely!)
“Without a dog, my house would be clean, and my wallet would be full, but my heart would be empty” (unknown). There are a great many dog owners and cat owners as well who would agree with this. The struggle can be real. Between the shedding, knocking over and breaking of items, gnawing, and clawing that can occur in a home with pets and the possible smells of litter boxes or accidents, keeping a pristine interior can be tricky for pet owners.
However, it is possible to have both a pet-friendly and stylish home; read on as we disclose how this can be achieved.
The Challenges of Pet-Friendly Style
As any pet owner, no matter how much they love their furry friend, will tell you there re some huge challenges faced when it comes to pet-friendly style. Common challenges include:
- Shedding fur on furniture
- Scratches on floors and furniture
- Muddy paws and accidental spills
- Chewing and destructive behaviour
- Pet odours
Keeping on top of all of this can be a full-time job. I certainly know I hate it when there is fur all over the place.
Stylish Solutions for Pet Owners
Help is fortunately at hand and comes in the form of some incredibly practical and stylish solutions:
- Flooring – Durable, easy-to-clean options are your best choice. Opt for hardwood, tile, or laminate. Stain-resistant rugs and runners will help soften the look.
- Furniture – Look for pet-friendly fabrics like leather, microfibre, or tightly woven fabrics. Styleful furniture covers and protectors will help you keep on top of stains and mess.
- Decor – Accessories should be durable and washable where possible, pet-friendly wall art and decor capable of withstanding playful paws is ideal.
- Storage – Don’t forget clever storage solutions for pet toys, food, and accessories. These should not only help you to hide them away when not in use but should blend seamlessly with your decor.
- Cleaning – The most important thing you can do to keep on top of everything is to ensure regular cleaning and maintenance. Make sure that you use products that are suitable for use around pets. Rubber brushes are great for cleaning fur off upholstery, so opt for a vacuum cleaner designed for dealing with pet hair.
Embrace Pet-Friendly Design
Your pets are part of your family, so embrace them and incorporate them into your design aesthetic. This means creating a designated space for your pets with stylish beds, scratching posts and, of course, a feeding station. You could also think about pet-themed décor; artwork and cushions will add a special touch to your home.
One final thing to consider is your colour scheme. Opt for colours and patterns that will camouflage stains and pet hair; whilst dark blues and greens can be striking, they will only highlight stray pet hair.
Having a stylish home and a pet-friendly environment are not mutually exclusive; however, they can require some work.
Your furry friend is a valued member of your family, so create a space that is inclusive of your personal style and your love of your pet. How have you handled creating a stylish home while having a pet? Why not share images of your pet-friendly homes with us to inspire others?
Recent Comments