The pandemic has led to an unprecedented increase in pet adoptions. And for as much as we love cohabitating with our furry family members, designing a home that’s both stylish and pet-proof is no easy feat. Along with wreaking havoc on our furniture and upholstery, certain pet staples can be a huge eyesore.
Luckily, with the right décor items and design scheme, you can create a pet-ready space that doesn’t sacrifice an inch of style. From sophisticated pet furniture ideas to fur-repellent fabrics and more, here’s how to design a home that’s every bit as sophisticated as it is pet-friendly.
Source pet furniture pieces that blend in with your décor scheme.
Let’s face it: Some pet essentials, such as dog crates and litter boxes, often aren’t very fun to look at. That’s why it’s important to shop for pieces of pet furniture that you won’t mind showing off in plain sight. Fortunately, there is a slew of design-savvy pet furniture brands that offer an array of pieces that will blend seamlessly into just about any décor scheme.
For a sleek dog crate that will keep your pooch safe and secure, consider the signature Crate at Fable, or a kennel that doubles as an end table, such as the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Dog Crate & End Table at Chewy. Both are composed of sturdy, eco-friendly wood materials and provide plenty of room for Fido to move around.
And if you thought there was no such thing as a stylish litter box, then you’d be mistaken. The MiaCaro Sito at Tuft + Paw is designed with a top cushion to mimic a minimalist stool, while the Rifiuti looks just like a mid-century modern media console, but features a ventilated compartment for a kitty litter tray.
Be strategic about upholstery.
Ask any pet parent and they’ll tell you the same: Pets can be super tough on upholstery. When outfitting high-traffic areas of your home that your animals will have unrestricted access to, take care to invest in furniture items covered in chic, pet-friendly performance fabrics, such as microfiber and microsuede, that are hard-to-scratch and easy-to-clean.
It also helps to consider your pet’s fur when picking out accessories for your home. Decorative pillows and throw blankets composed of fur-repellent fabrics, like silk and denim, are less likely to get covered in pet hair. You can also integrate textiles that match the color of your pet’s fur to make the shedding less obvious.
Design distinct pet nooks throughout your home.
Whether it’s a designated laundry room sink for doggy bath time or a defined feeding area in your kitchen, carving out designated nooks for your four-legged family members is key to designing a pet-friendly (and simple-to-clean) home.
To avoid making a massive mess when giving your dog a bath, consider converting a spare bathroom or a portion of your laundry into a proper washing station for your pets. The sink or tub will ensure you have plenty of space to properly bathe your pooch, while the tile (or similarly waterproof) floors will allow for quick cleanup.
For a functional pet feeding setup that doesn’t skimp on style, incorporate a designated dog or cat dining zone into your kitchen with the help of some colorful bowls that won’t tip over, such as the silicone-based Bowl at Wild One. Define the area with a pet-proof placemat and voila: you’ve got a bona fide feeding station that’s cute and easy to clean.
Stick with washable pet bed covers and rugs.
While there’s no shortage of cute and comfy pet beds, finding one with a removable and washable cover is crucial to keeping your home clean and fur-free. For an eye-catching dog bed with a colorful and machine-washable cover, look no further than the Bright Stripe Dog Bed at Annie Selke. Or, for a stress-quelling cat cushion that you can simply throw in the wash (and lay flat to dry), try the cult favorite Anti-Anxiety Fluffy Cat Bed at Purrfectiion.
The same goes for throw rugs, which pets love to curl up on but can quickly get covered in hair and stains from dirty paws. Look for rugs composed of all-weather materials that you can hose down with water, like the Woven Cable Indoor/Outdoor Rug at West Elm, or the Delphina Delft Blue Rug at Ruggable that’s safe to wash in a machine.
Find design-savvy toys to entertain your pets.
If you have a feline family member at home, then you already know how much they like to scratch stuff. That’s why it pays to invest in a good-looking scratching post, such as the 4CLAWS Wall Mounted Scratching Post at Amazon — or a sophisticated cat tree with a built-in scratching post like the Vesper Base at Catit — to keep your cat entertained and your furniture intact.
Of course, the only thing better than a trusty dog toy that your pooch loves to play with is one that you won’t mind seeing around your home. The natural rubber Bolt Bite at Wild One, for instance, features two open ends for hiding treats but looks more like an art object than a chew toy. While the bestselling Dog Bone Squeaky Toy at Foggy Dog boasts a virtually indestructible squeaker and comes in 24 different colorways to boot.
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