Once you own a pet, you’re never truly alone in a room again. From the living room to the bathroom, your pet will likely follow you everywhere. Your furniture needs to work with them, not make your life harder with constant clean-up and wear and tear. The key is choosing the right materials and accommodating your animals' needs. After all, an animal-friendly house is more comfortable for humans too.
Don’t think you have to sacrifice beauty for clean-up-friendly comfort. Pet friendly furniture can be beautiful. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing with your pets in mind.
Opt for Rugs Over Carpet
Unlike carpet, rugs can be picked up and cleaned or thrown out. Indoor/outdoor options work well because they're durable enough to withstand pet traffic, and they're cheap enough to toss when they get grungy. If disposable rugs strike you as an expensive way to keep your house chic, consider that it's cheaper to toss that $99 rug than to keep replacing wall to wall carpet.
Animal Entryway
It's important to consider your pet's lifestyle when you establish the layout of your house. If your dog goes outside, make sure he can come back in through an area that's durable and easy to clean. Decorate an entry in ways that make it easy to clean your dogs before they enter the rest of your home. Also, consider shelves where you can keep towels used to wipe the dirt off the dogs when they came inside from the yard.
There are lots of options that will make life with a pet easier. It’s important to choose fabrics that hide stains and won’t attract fur.
• Leather is durable and stain resistant. Wiping away fur is a breeze! One word of caution: if your cats still have their claws, be careful they do not use the leather to sharpen them. Even leather can’t stand up to kitty claws. Also, keep your dog’s nails trimmed as well, because puppy claws can also leave a lasting mark on leather.
• Microfiber is a synthetic fiber with very thin strands that can be made to look like suede or leather. It doesn't rip or scratch easily, and cleaning up pet hair is not time-consuming. All you need is a lint brush, or sometimes just your hands can do the trick! Most stains come out of microfiber with soap and water. Stubborn stains can be outed with a mild cleaner.
• Patterns and texture help hide everyday issues like dirt and pet hair. They also help camouflage small stains until they can be properly cleaned by a steamer.
Also consider choosing upholstery that blends with your pet’s hair. If you bring a white chair into the house with a black lab, you are asking for trouble. If you are looking for a simple solution for already existing furniture, consider throws. A few strategically placed and easy-to-wash throw blankets will help preserve your furniture.
