Designing your home to accommodate your pet's needs

Pets are wonderful creatures that bring so much joy into your life.  If you are like me, they are family members.  As such, homes should support their needs.  Growing up we had our share of pets.  The first pet we had, while living in Brazil was an Irish setter, her name was Benji.  Who would have known decades later I would marry my Irish husband!

We loved Benji, she was part of us.  I remember my parents doing everything they could to bring her with us to our new destination, Guatemala. They even had someone build a travelling wooden cage for her. I even remember placing our clothes inside her cage so she would smell us and be comfortable, thinking she would make the move with us. Sadly, the cage was too big, the airline would not accept it. We also had layovers and could not find places that would allow pets. Back in the 80’s pet’s needs were not a priority for airlines and hotels. At the end, with a broken heart, we had to leave her. Fortunately, we left her in good hands, as we gave her to the veterinarian that had always looked after her. 

Your home should look great and work for all the family members. Pets should feel comfortable and happy in their homes and you should not stress about scratches and stains.  Most common pets are dogs and cats, so I will focus a bit more on their needs. 

Space

We all need space.  If you live in the city, living close to a park is ideal for your pet to go out regularly to play and exercise.  If you live in a village or out in the country, providing them with the opportunity to play without risking their safety is important.  I suggest fencing in a garden.  The important thing is for them to be able to move about without your constant supervision.

Flooring

If you have furry pets, you need flooring that is rough and can handle spills and claw marks.  The best options are those that are both waterproof and water resistant.

Stone, porcelain, or ceramic tiles are perfect when it comes to cleaning. They can feel a bit cold and sometimes slippery. Benji used to run around the house and sometimes slip as she was turning a corner.  To deal with the cold, underfloor heating is always an option, though, it can cause some discomfort on their paws if it is on too high. Technology has come a long way, there is now laminate flooring that is both, water resistant and scratch resistant, like the Quick-step one.

Vinyl flooring is a popular flooring option for families with pets. Luxury vinyl planks and tiles (LVPs and LVTs) are exceptionally durable, long-lasting, and resistant to moisture, scratches, and dents. Most important, they are easy to maintain! 

I suggest staying away from genuine wood floors, especially softer woods like pine as they are harder to maintain due to them being prone to scratches. If you are set on genuine wood floors, I suggest going for rustic or distressed finishes, which will disguise the everyday wear and tear.

Above all, unless you always want to be vacuuming, try to avoid wall to wall carpets, as they trap pet hair which causes odours.

Furniture Fabrics

 Pet-friendly furniture options need to be hard-wearing, easy-to-clean fabrics and strong.

Woven fabrics are easy to maintain, extra durable, and wear well. Stains wipe away easily, and pet hair will not get trapped.  Leather is also a good option as it will not trap hairs, but it does scratch, so keep pet nails trimmed!

A great tip is to choose a fabric that is similar in colour to your pet’s fur. This will help hide hair between cleaning sessions.

No matter what, light fabric will always show marks and stains faster, dark colours or patterns are better.  

Just keep in mind, chenille, velvet, silk, and tweed are all fabrics you should avoid when shopping for pet-friendly furniture.

Closet and storage

If you have the space, you should designate a closet for all your pet’s things such as toys, clothes, harnesses, and leashes.  You can even build a special closet for a litter box, which helps with odours and privacy.  If space is at a premium, a decorative box or basket can be added to your décor for all your pet’s things to be stored out of sight.  The idea is to keep it all in one place, nice and tide.

I want to finish off this post with Blacky.  He was our last family dog, a cocker spaniel.  He travelled with us and was able to live in 3 different countries! What a lucky globe trotter! People and times had changed, pet kennels were readily available, and hotels and airlines were happy to accommodate pets. 

If you need guidance in making your home more pet friendly, get in touch!  With an online design consultations you can make your furry family member a happier camper :).