7 Pet-Friendly Home Design Essentials: Creating an Elegant Sanctuary

If you're like most homeowners, your pet is a beloved member of your family. Therefore, you want to make your home as pet-friendly as possible so they can be happy and healthy. However, there’s no need to compromise on an elegant design in the process. Here are seven essentials for making your home sanctuary enjoyable for you and your pet.

Durable Fabrics

Some homeowners have a strict no-dogs-on-the-couch rule, while others allow them to roam free. Those with cats may find it even more challenging to prevent them from jumping up on the sofa to look out the window. 

With pets, choosing durable, washable fabrics is vital to ensure longevity despite wear and tear. For instance, you wouldn't want an expensive silk, velvet or tweed accent chair in the living room. Additionally, while patterned upholstery is an obvious choice for hiding stains and scratches, it doesn’t always fit the decor. 

Instead, consider leather, microfiber and canvas furniture, especially if your pet is a shedder. Canvas slipcovers are ideal for covering quality furniture and are easy to remove when guests visit. Similarly, leather couches are a top choice overall — they don't absorb foul odors, and fur doesn't stick to them. Of course, your pet may discolor the fabric over time, so consider whether to train your cat or dog to stay off the furniture altogether.

Epoxy Floors

Hardwood floors are always a versatile, elegant choice for home decorating, but your pets' long claws may leave unsightly scratch marks that are often difficult and expensive to repair. Luckily, there are other options.

Epoxy is a more suitable flooring material if you have pets and is rising in popularity because of its durability, diversity and aesthetically sleek and stylish appearance. Although it looks ultra-shiny, this material is nonslip, making it a safer choice for every household member. Homeowners can choose from a wide range of colors, metallic elements, patterns and blends to personalize their floors as they see fit. If preferred, you can even create a hardwood, marble or granite appearance with epoxy.  

When it comes to pets, you can’t beat the convenience of epoxy flooring. These surfaces are easy to clean and won’t warp if your pet spills its water bowl, has an accident or drags dirt into the house. 

Rugs With Short Piles

Not everyone wants to get rid of carpeting when they have pets. Some people still want something warm and fuzzy to sink their feet into. If you choose to keep a carpet or rug in your home, opt for a cut-pile or flat weave. 

Cut-pile rugs don't have loops, meaning they're less likely to trap dirt, pet hair and other debris. Conversely, flat weave rugs don't have piles at all. You may also be able to buy a rug specifically designed for pets, such as those you can throw in the washing machine. 

Innovative Storage

Storage solutions help keep a home clutter-free. Using proper storage, you can hide potentially dangerous items to protect your pets and designate an area to house their treats, food, toys and grooming essentials. This will prevent your pet from gorging themselves on food when they're not supposed to and cutting themselves on sheers. 

A low bin is ideal for storing their toys, allowing them to grab what they want independently. In the evening, you can simply collect and store their goodies to avoid tripping over them. Built-ins with cabinets are an excellent way to keep pet-related items out of sight. Basket storage can also be worked into an elegant home design.

Nontoxic Plants

Greenery adds much-needed warmth and comfort to any home. However, certain plants are dangerous for pets — such as snake plants, which contain calcium oxalate crystals and can induce drooling, vomiting or a burning sensation in pets' mouths. Lilies are also highly poisonous to cats.

Safer, nontoxic indoor plant options include the Chinese money plant, hoya varieties, spider plants and the Boston fern. Spider plants, in particular, thrive indoors and are very difficult to kill. As a bonus, they can purify indoor air for a healthier residence.  

Pet Nook

According to specialists at the American Kennel Club, all dogs need a space to unwind and de-stress from the day’s activities. Dogs often communicate this need by walking away from people, lying in their beds or crates and finding another room to be alone. 

Tie a comfortable nook into your elegant home sanctuary, enhancing the pet-friendly design for your dog or cat. After all, people aren't the only occupants who should benefit from a relaxing household. 

Purchase an oversized plush dog or cat bed and set it in the corner of the room — you may want to purchase multiple beds for different spaces. Ensure they have a blanket to curl up in, and keep their favorite stuffed animal nearby. You can even buy a bed in a particular fabric, color or pattern to match your decor, so it becomes part of the design. 

Safe Outdoor Area

Many people view the backyard as an extension of indoor living. However, there are plenty of dangers for your pet outside, from toxic fertilizers to standing water and things they may pick up in their mouths. 

Remove toxic plants from your garden and replace them with pet-friendly greenery. Likewise, store landscaping tools in a shed so your pets don't injure themselves. Adding an attractive fence around the yard also gives your pet a designated play area while preventing them from running away or being attacked by wildlife.

A Comfortable Home for Every Family Member

A pet-friendly home design ensures everyone in your household lives safely and comfortably. Fortunately, you don't have to compromise elegant tastes in this pursuit. Find ways to integrate pet essentials into your layout and furniture to create a style both you and your pet love.

Make your home a haven for both you and your furry friends! Download the DecorMatters app to explore endless design possibilities that combine elegance with pet-proof solutions.

Whether you're decorating with dogs in mind, creating a cozy nook for your pets, or seeking advice from professional interior designers, our app has everything you need to design a space that's both stylish and functional. Let’s make your dream home a sanctuary for every member of the family—tail wags included!