Pet Owner? Stop the “Oh No” Moments!

Posted by Elizabeth on July 27, 2011

If you’re a pet owner, you know the difficulty that comes with maintaining a clean and sleek looking home. Although our pets are sweet and snugly, they can be quite the challenge when it comes to home design. In fact, there are several truths to keep in mind when embarking on such an adventure: the most comfortable piece of furniture in your home will become your pet’s favorite resting place, white furniture is nothing but a headache and home design with pets in mind is almost as difficult as baby proofing. Have no fears, your home can be pet friendly while still offering a sleek and stylish look.

Flooring Dilemma

Hardwood or Carpeting­—it’s the epic battle for pet owners when it comes to flooring design. Carpet gets dirty and hardwood gets scratched. Luckily, over the years, many more choices have become available. It’s a good idea to ditch the wall to wall carpeting; it absorbs odor, traps pet hair and soaks up pet related stains. Hard surface floors are the way to go as you can choose concrete, brick, wood or tile. Depending on the size of your pet, though, you may want to rule out hardwood because of scratching. But if it’s style and substance that you’re after, area rugs offer a great alternative­—and protection.

Furnishing Fix

When you’re choosing between several furniture options, there are several key factors to consider: color, durability and material. Pet owners have learned over time that leather furniture isn’t exactly a pet friendly material due to its susceptibility of ripping and suede’s ability to attract fur. On that note, it’s not a bad idea to choose furniture that matches your pet’s fur color; if some shedding does occur,  it won’t be quite as obvious. You’ll also want to choose furniture that is built to last, not only does it have to withstand your family, but your pets too.

We can’t promise you won’t ever have another “Oh No” moment with your pet but if you follow these simple design tips, we’re pretty sure you won’t have quite as many!