If you want to include pet-friendly options in your home, there’s a host of fun, pet-friendly home décor ideas to explore. Here are some tips on materials and ideas for your home that suit both humans and their beloved pets.
Tips for pet friendly homes
Choose pet friendly flooring
When picking flooring for your pets, look for options that are easy to clean and non-porous. Linoleum and tile floors are the easiest to clean, followed by hardwood floors. Concrete floors — if sealed properly to prevent staining — are another option. If you prefer carpet, make sure it’s a stain-resistant brand.
Choose non-toxic paints
Traditional paints can be dangerous for pets because they contain hazardous chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and solvents. These chemicals can off-gas toxins, leading to skin and eye irritation, dizziness, and sometimes even more severe symptoms. The risk isn’t limited to when the paint is wet but is still a concern for animals who may inadvertently lick or eat the paint long after it has dried.
Therefore, it’s important to check the ingredients of paint (as well as varnishes, primers, and clear coats) before you use them in your pet-friendly home. Before choosing a paint, ascertain that it’s water-based (as opposed to solvent-based), contains no heavy metals or creosote, and has little to no VOCs. On a practical level, consider darker colors which will help conceal dirt, or a shade like that of your four-legged friend’s fur, which will make shedding less noticeable.
How to create pet-friendly home areas
To create a pet-friendly home, craft a sleeping nook under the stairs, tuck one into your new recessed shelves, or build a platform bed for your nimble cat. Or perhaps a cushy window seat with built-in storage for their toys is the way to go. Anything that makes it easier to clean your house of pet-related clutter and mess will make it easier to share your home.
If you’re adding or renovating a mud room or laundry room, consider cabinets that disguise a litter box and provide easy-to-use storage for pet food and supplies. Add a wash station dedicated for their use, with a handheld showerhead and a drain specifically designed to prevent clogs from fur.
Are you tired of accidentally kicking a full water bowl across the kitchen? Build a feeding trough into your kitchen cabinet renovation or add a drawer that pulls out to allow access to feeding bowls. You could add a nook with a dedicated water faucet to fill water bowls while keeping them out of range of your feet.
Learn more about how creating a safe space for pets in your home helps reduce stress in your pet.
Other considerations for a pet-friendly home
There are a few options for safety additions to a pet-friendly home. Low-profile stairs or ramps make it easier for elderly pets to move around safely. A soundproof area for times of loud noise can do wonders to calm anxious pets. Using retractable gates to limit access to certain areas could be beneficial, especially if you work from home with your pet. Consider add swinging doors that can be closed or half doors that still allow visibility.
Creating a pet-friendly home is just one thing you can do to improve your pet’s life.
