A pet is a great addition to any home, especially of the four-legged variety, but you need to be prepared. Your house needs to be pet-friendly, so there is a lot to consider when welcoming in your furry companion.
You don’t need to forsake your home design ideas, but you may have to be flexible. Animals are like small children; they have minds of their own, so you should create an environment to accommodate them, as well as give you a sense of comfort in your living space.
Consider the following ideas as you consider giving your home a pet-friendly makeover.
Flooring ideas
Unfortunately, cats and dogs are liable to have the occasional toileting accident, so you may need to forego that expensive Persian rug you have been keeping an eye on. A carpet tile rug may be the way to go, and you can easily buy them in colors to match your decor. Alternatively, an inexpensive rug with dark, intricate patterns can hide any unsightly stains from your pets.
Hardwood floors are better than carpeting as they are easy to clean, and don’t soak up nasty pet odors. You don’t need to settle for something dull as there are a variety of wood types available to you. If you want a rustic look, you may choose a distressed wood, or you might prefer red oak which can coordinate well with any design style in your room.
For a wide variety of color and design ideas, ceramic tiles may be your preferred choice. They can be imprinted with a near infinite range of styles and are easy to install. Any room in your pet-friendly home can be given an elegant look, especially with a backsplash to add further visual appeal.
Room decorations
One swish of a dog’s tail or a swat of your cat’s paw is going to cause untold damage to any fragile ornaments lying around your home. Be sensible and lock breakable items behind paneled glass cabinets. You will still be able to view your prized possessions, but your animal won’t be able to reach them.
Decorate your home with items that aren’t breakable, such as wall art or heavy sculptures. You may even dedicate part of your wall to your faithful companion, with framed photographs of them, or paintings that depict the same breed.
Furniture
Your animal friend is guaranteed to leave behind hair, whether you allow them onto the sofa or not, though it can be removed. However, consider buying furniture for your pet-friendly home that matches their color shade, meaning the hairs won’t be as visible. Of course, that may be an unnecessary expense, so instead, buy microfiber throw rugs which pick up your pet’s hair and are easy to clean.
Should you decide to buy a new sofa, remember certain leathers and fabrics are easier to clean than others. Soft grain leather is resilient and is a better choice for animal owners. However, you could also buy a sofa with washable, removable fabrics, so you aren’t too limited in your choices.
Creating a pet-friendly home will alleviate your stress and that of your loving companion.
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