Your pet is an important member of your family with a healthy bond that can last for many years. Redesigning your home to be more pet-friendly is an excellent way to minimize headaches while creating a happier, more functional environment for both you and your furry companions. Here are six of the best tips for planning a beautiful home redesign that you and your pets will love.
Select Practical Colors
When choosing colors for area rugs or sofas, consider selecting hues that resemble the color of your pet’s fur. This is a practical decision and can also be a source of design inspiration. Plus, any hair left behind will not be as noticeable when your mother-in-law stops by for a surprise visit. It is important to find the best pet-friendly couches made of textiles and colors that are also stain-resistant and easy to clean. There are plenty of new microfibers on the market that are bacteria/mildew resistant and eco-friendly.
Hard Surfaces Are Best
Although you may love to have a nice wall-to-wall carpet, it can easily pick up pet stains and harbor unsavory smells. The best pet-friendly designs should include a type of durable, hard flooring. A word of caution, real hardwood floors are nice but are susceptible to scratches and wear by your furry family members. If you want a peaceful pet, then you can also try to get a turtle. Hard flooring such as polished concrete, ceramic tile, laminate, or durable vinyl flooring looks amazing and is practical for claws, paws, spills, and “accidents.” Include anti-slip underlayment for area rugs to prevent slips and falls, especially if you have small children who can’t resist running around the house and getting the dog excited.
Design a Pet Station
It is an excellent idea to include a pet station to maintain an organized area for easy access to your pet’s leash, food, treats, toys, vitamins, medications, etc. There are several benefits of a mudroom in your house, and having one positioned near an entry is a great idea to incorporate into your redesign. Open shelving with baskets for chew toys and storage keeps things organized with easy access.
A popular trend now is to build a dog-washing station in the mudroom. A mudroom can also add value to your home if you ever plan to sell and would be attractive to other pet owners, which number upwards of 85 million families, or 67% of U.S. households, according to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Association. Another smart design option is to convert a toe kick under a floor cabinet into a secret drawer for a food/water station. This will keep floors cleaner and minimize spills around high-traffic areas in the home, such as the mudroom and kitchen.
Keep It Clean
Grooming your pets regularly will help keep the home cleaner and healthier. Bathing and trimming are part of routine cleanliness, just like it is for us humans. Vacuum carpets, area rugs, and clean hard floors regularly. Use a sweeper mop with a damp towel sheet to pick up any remaining hair and dust. You should get a Bissell Pet Hair Eraser, which is a vacuum specifically made to get rid of pet hair. Robot vacuums are also a good option. Once you’ve put away the main vacuum cleaner, it’s a good idea to have a hand-held, smaller vacuum cleaner and a lint roller to grab any hair missed on furniture. Pet beds with removable/washable covers are an excellent idea. Washable, designer pet blankets are becoming very popular and can easily cover sofas, recliners, and beds, or wherever your pets prefer to lounge or sleep.
According to PetMD, wash your pet’s bed cover once a week or a minimum of every two weeks to maintain optimum health for your home and your furry buddies.
A Room With a View
This tip is not only the title of a good drama/romance film, but it is also a significant feature to consider. Both dogs and cats love a place where they can look out a window for entertainment and amusement. The right window is usually in the living room and has views of the street and walkways. If you don’t have the budget to extend pre-existing windows down to the floor, you may opt to install a window seat or platform bed. This way your pets can view the world outside without climbing all over the top of the couch. Plus, they love watching, in anticipation, for you to come home. The living room is also a good place to add some narrow ramps on walls and fun walkways for your cat, opposite the window, where the view is phenomenal.
A Home Inside The Home
Besides exercising outdoors in the fresh air, pets also love a special place they can call their own. They need to have a dedicated sleeping area. Built-in pet beds are an excellent way to maximize space and give your pets a home inside your home. By removing doors, shelves, or drawers, you can easily convert a base cabinet or nightstand into a relaxing space with a bed, sides, and a top.
Pets derive comfort and security from enclosed spaces. It’s a natural, den-like structure they enjoy while being with you in the same room. If you spend long hours in a home office, create another pet bed with toys under your desk or in a bottom desk drawer or cabinet. Considering your needs and the needs of your pets when redesigning your home can make your life easier and create a healthier, happier living space for you and your furry companions.