How to Design a Home For Pet Ownership

When it comes to choosing house and land packages or designing and decorating a home, our individual style and particular needs determine our decisions. Today, over 65% of households are home to at least one pet. Therefore, when start wondering whether a little girl would like a yellow room; it may also be time to consider your furry friends unique needs. Follow these practical tips to design the perfect home for pet ownership, without compromising your sense of personal style

Invest in Pet-Friendly Furniture

When decorating for a pet-friendly home, it is important to carefully weigh your furniture choices. Even the most well-trained pets are likely to damage fine furniture with a swipe of a paw or an excited gallop through an open room.

Pet-friendly furniture is a great way to ensure that your furry friend refrains from digging into your expensive items. Giving your dog something to chew on, and providing cats with carpet-covered scratching posts, are two simple ways to stop your pet going after a chair leg or armchair.

Create Special Spaces

When decorating a home for pet ownership, it is important to consider the unique needs of the animal you wish to join your family. For example, cats loves to perch, climb and spend time alone. For a feline companion, add a stylish cat tower, or build in climbing opportunities through wall-mounted shelves and deep window sills.

In comparison, dogs crave human affection and cosy spaces. For a canine friend, find a cosy space for your dogs bed, somewhere near the family area. By designing special spaces that cater to your furry friends unique needs, you keep your pet happy and out of other family areas.

Fur-Proof your Furniture

While you can’t prevent your pet from shedding their winter coat, you can prevent your furniture from bearing the brunt of their fur. Look for fabrics that will hide pet hair. This may mean purchasing fabric in a similar colour to your pets coat. Choosing fur-toned upholstery supplies can save you hours in washing.

Give your furniture a fighting chance, by choosing your fabrics carefully. Certain fabrics are optimal for pet ownership, as they are easy to clean and do not grip on to fine animal hairs. Chiffon and other delicate fabrics are prone to claw and paw marks, and leaving traces of fur even after the third wash. Leather in comparison, is easy to clean and durable against muddy paw prints.

Foolproof Flooring

Flooring is the area of the home that pets can be toughest on. While certain floor materials will leave unsightly scratch marks, others will leave your pets without traction, leaving them slipping and sliding throughout your home.

Laminate flooring provides layers that protect against scuffs, scratches and stains. Similarly, vinyl floors soften the sounds of your pets paws when they are running through a home and are highly durable. While carpet can be comfortable for your furry friends to rest on, they trap odors and pet hair very easily. However, if you simply cannot sacrifice the style of a hardwood floor, choose harder woods such as mahogany or oak, in order to prevent dents and scratch marks. Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed regularly, is also critical to protect a pristine floor.

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There’s no reason to sacrifice style when adding a furry friend to your home environment. By following these practical tips to prepare your home for new additions, you can enjoy your newest family member without sacrificing your home and personal style.

Bio: Laura Costello is a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Law/International Relations at Latrobe University. She is passionate about the law, the power of social media, and the ability to translate her knowledge of both common and complex topics to readers across a variety of mediums, in a way that is easy to understand.