Pet-Proof Design Ideas

Our four-legged friends are more than just our pets. They are family. Let’s face it, though—these family members are not always the cleanest and can unintentionally damage some of your furniture, including upholstery. Pets are the best companions, but they tend to chew, claw, scratch, and shed all over the place. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to design pet-friendly spaces for your best friend in your home. All it takes is a little planning and finding the right additions to make your space great for you and your pets. Check out our recommendations below to cultivate a comfortable (and clean!) pet haven.

Performance Fabrics

When selecting furniture for your home, pick fabrics resistant to pet fur. Because upholstery is a magnet for fur from your pup or cat and is easily soiled by dirt or damaged by pet nails and claws, it is not ideal in a home with pets.

Some of our favorite pet-friendly fabrics include

• Synthetic fibers

• Leathers

• Any quality textile that will withstand the test of claws and scratching

We recommend avoiding

• Velvet

• Velour

• Corduroy

• Mohair

• Upholstered materials

• Any delicate materials that could get snagged by claws

If you already have upholstered furniture in your home, don’t fret! There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your sofa stays fur-free.

Step 1: Dampen a rubber glove and run your gloved hand over the surface of the couch to attract hair. Once the glove is covered, simply rinse off the glove and repeat as needed.

Step 2: Lightly spray a mix of water and fabric softener on your upholstered furniture and then wipe off as much pet hair as you can until the mixture dries.

Step 3: Once your furniture is free from dirt and fur, consider covering it with a liner or blanket to prevent future damage.

Furniture with a Dual Purpose

Pet furniture can be bulky and take up a lot of space, and it is not always designed to match popular interior design themes. Sometimes pet essentials cannot be hidden either. Pet crates, for example, tend to be large and wiry, and litter boxes, though necessary, are unappealing. Finding a way to make these pieces multifunctional and feel like part of a room’s decor is rule number one in incorporating your pet’s furniture into your space.

When selecting pet furniture while pet-proofing your home, remember that materials matter. Consider selecting a dog crate that has a flat top that can be converted into a useful surface as an excellent choice. Incorporating a dog crate for your puppy into any space in your home can be achieved by styling the crate to fit your space. Add a wooden outer layer to your crate that matches the color of your wood furniture, or custom design a stylized dog crate for your living room or mudroom.

A similar concept could be said for your cat’s litter box. We all know that although litter boxes are not the most pleasant addition to your home, they are necessary. Consider purchasing a cabinet that is big enough to store your cat’s litter box and has easy in-and-out access for your pet. You may even get some easy extra storage space out of it! Adding this to your bathroom, laundry room, basement, or mudroom makes it easier to keep your home clean from any debris that might escape the litter box.

"When looking for soft upholstery with pets in mind consider using slip covers over your key furniture pieces. Fabrics naturally just always attract pet hair and leathers are keen to quickly get damaged and scratched. Looking for something that is washable is a great idea to have in your home when you have pets," says interior designer Eugenia Triandos of Hibou Design & Co., "At our home, we have slip-covered armchairs and slip-covered bed frames, and I love that I can throw them in the washing machine whenever needed. Slipcovers work far beyond that cottage chic look and now are used often in contemporary settings to provide a clean, contemporary vibe when used with the right fabric selections.”

Pet-Proofing Your Flooring

Pet owners know that choosing the right flooring materials is one of many important considerations. Pet-friendly flooring comes in different varieties. Whether you’re looking for hardwood floors or soft-surface flooring, there are different options of flooring for dogs and cats for you to choose from. Typically, you can find pet-friendly flooring selections in hardwood floors, carpet, laminate, and luxury vinyl. Pet-friendly flooring is tough enough to withstand damage from urine, scratching, tracked-in mud, and more, making it an excellent choice for your home. It's important to keep in mind that having your dog's nails trimmed and other furry friends helps with scratch resistance for your flooring.

Here are some great benefits of pet-friendly flooring:

• Stains, mud, scratching, and moisture are no match for dog-proof and cat-proof floors.

• Pet-friendly flooring offers traction so your pets can “grip” the floors and avoid slipping while walking or running.

• Pet-proof flooring is durable, waterproof, and easy to keep clean.

• Many options are budget-friendly, so regardless of how much you are willing to spend, you are likely to find flooring in your price range!

According to interior designer Phyllis Lui of Kalu Interiors, "Flooring is a primary consideration when cohabiting with pets. Most important is the point of entry. Whether it is a back door, front door, or garage door, flooring needs to be impervious. We like natural stone, but there are many affordable options today, from ceramic to porcelain tiles. On the main floor, hard-surface floors are most desirable. We like using wire-brushed hardwood floors because they hide potential scratching from the nails but overall wear well and are very forgiving."

Go The Extra Mile

If you’re looking to take your pet-friendly home design even further, there are steps you can take to make your pet’s life more luxurious. Dog showers can make a great addition to any canine’s home. Installing a dog shower in your mudroom or bathroom can help alleviate dirt and quickly fix any messy situation. Not only are dog showers convenient, but they also can make washing your pup much easier and less stressful for both you and your dog.

If you have cats, consider installing wall-mounted floating perches or window perches for your feline friends. Not only do they act as stylish, abstract pieces of décor, but they are great for adventurous cats who love to climb.

There are so many ways to make your home pet-friendly and pet-proof. Whether you’re adding a new space for your fur baby or adapting an old space to fit their needs, you are sure to find a creative way to make your home better for both of you!

Looking for more design inspiration? Check out our Beautiful Design Made Simple blog to get all the latest designer advice and flooring trends that you need to create a beautiful home.