JOIN USPet lovers have found unique ways to let style and class flourish in their homes without compromising on the comfort of their animal friends.
So, gone are those days when pets were dumped in the backyards. Homeowners have opened their hearts and homes to their beloved pets and have started incorporating design features that make homes pet-friendly and safe.
A new mantra has thus been established that says, ‘You can have a gorgeous house and pets too!’ The answer lies in selecting design concepts and finishing materials that accommodate the needs of your pets.
Let us recount the list for a pet-friendly home for the benefit of those who want to adopt this lifestyle.
Stain-resistant fabrics
Silks and velvets are a big no. But the bad news ends there. The market is flooded with new pet-friendly upholstery choices. Have you heard of crypton? It’s a new fabric in market that is immune to dirt, bad odour and manhandling.
What makes it so likeable is the fact that it comes in the most amazing and beautiful finishes and patterns. Leather is another upholstery possibility for a pet-friendly home. It’s easy to clean, simple to maintain, and good quality leather is quite resistant to nail scratches too.
If leather makes your heart sob, try pleather, which is an inexpensive and brutality-free alternative.
Ultra suede is another machine washable micro fibre that imitates the timeless appeal of suede and stays cool, comfortable and beautiful in most weather conditions. Making your home pet-friendly was never this easy.
A big ‘no’ to wall-to-wall carpeting
Carpets soak bad smell, pet hair and dirt. A removable carpet can be vacuum- cleaned and left in the sun to get rid of the typical pet odour. Wall-to-wall carpeting eliminates that option and you will be stuck with a carpet that is a host to germs, dirt and pet hair.
Wall-to-wall carpeting is perhaps a concept that should be avoided otherwise too, until almost necessary, as it creates an unhygienic living environment.
You will be surprised to see the dirt beneath the carpet in case you decide to change it or repair it for some reason.
Flooring options
Hard surfaces are the best when dealing with pets. They are very easy to clean and even easier to maintain. In terms of aesthetics, concrete, terrazzo and brick form gorgeous floors, not to forget the innate durability that comes along.
Ceramic tiles can be a big relief as they can be easily mopped or vacuum-cleaned. Natural stone surfaces like marble and granite might not be a very good choice though, as they are prone to staining and scratching.
Good design choices
What we don’t like about pets is the mud and dirt they bring along when they come back from their leisure strolls. A simple solution could be catering for a small entry area where the pets can be cleaned before entering the main living quarters.
This area could have tiles on the floor and walls for easy cleaning and could also form a sort of storage room to keep your pet supplies like food, leashes and bowls.
Built-in shelves could contain towels and cleaning equipment so that the pet can be throughly cleaned before coming into the house. This way, even your mind is at peace about your spic and span home not getting dirty because of pets.
Match it up
Won’t it be splendid if pet hair never showed on your sofa? A simple solution is to match your sofa upholstery with the fur colour of your pet. I am not dissuading you from your thorough clean-ups, but playing the camouflage game can reduce your efforts. And no, this is not taking it too far. In fact, it is a splendid way to make space for your beloved pets.
Vacuuming is essential
This is one thing you absolutely cannot skip. Pet hair has a peculiar odour that will seep into your upholstery and carpets if not cleaned regularly. In addition, the hair has oil, just like ours, and fallen pet hair starts becoming magnets for dirt and germs.
So, you will need to vacuum at least twice a week in order to keep your home hygienically sound. It’s all just a matter of habit. Once vacuuming becomes a part of your daily routine, you will definitely have a clean, odour-free home.
Bathing & grooming pets
So, whilst we clean our homes of the pet hair via vacuuming, it is essential that we keep our pets clean too. Bathing your pet regularly and then brushing their coat will significantly reduce the amount of hair in your home.
Similarly, trimmed nails will ensure that your floor and furniture remain free of scratches and cuts. You will be surprised at how your carpets, rugs and upholstery will live longer once you start cleaning and grooming your pets regularly.
You could splurge a bit and buy plush beddings for your pets so that they are not tempted to sneak into your private spaces. Not only will it ensure hygiene, but will also give personal space to your pets.
Buy pretty and soft leashes, treat your pets with sweet delights once in a while, teach your pets to eat on their mats and plates only, buy a little sofa from the nearby thrift store for your furry friends and let your pets feel pampered.
In the end, what you will have is a pet- friendly home for the ones who love you unconditionally?