We’re a nation made of animal lovers, and pet-owners know that a new house isn’t a home without a furry four-legged friend. But what do you know about decorating your new home to ensure it’s a haven for both you and your perfect pooch? From fabric texture to flooring, there are several things to consider when dressing your dream home.
Floors for Paws
Got your eye on an expensive deep-pile carpet? Think again! Rainy days and muddy paws don’t mix-well with stain-prone fabrics. Instead, opt for easy-clean flooring in high-traffic areas of your home. Whereas hardwood floors are easily scratched and absorb moisture very quickly (a nightmare when puppy training!), ceramic, laminate or stone floors are easy to maintain and keep your pet cool in warmer months.
When using rugs, experiment with patterned non-slip statement pieces in similar colours to your pet’s fur. Neutral colours such as greys and sandy brows conceal pet hairs well and draw the eye away from unsightly stains and marks.
Opt for neutral-coloured low-pile carpet or tiles in high-traffic areas of your home. Images taken from the Bramham show home at Rosemeade, Huddersfield.
Friendly Fur-niture
From upholstery to shape, there are several things to consider when choosing pet-friendly furniture in your home.
Materials such as velvet, chenille and corduroy are magnets for pet fur and dirt, and delicate fabrics such as silk risk being damaged by our favourite furry friends. Large pieces of furniture such as sofas and lounge chairs benefit from neutral-toned, low-textured fabrics such as leathers, smooth tapestries and synthetic fibres. Like rug choices, selecting colours similar to your pet’s fur is the most attractive option for pet-owners seeking minimal maintenance. This doesn’t mean you have to stick to a single shade throughout your home - one-coloured pieces of furniture can easily be dressed up with patterned and easy to clean accent pillows and throws.
Pet-owners with energetic pets should also consider decorating with round-edged furniture such as coffee tables (as below) and television stands. The last thing your dog needs while chasing his tail is a nasty bump on the corner of your hard, wooden sideboard!
Circular furniture will minimise bumps and bruises for high-energy animals. Images taken from the Bramham show home at Rosemeade, Huddersfield.
Off the Wall
It’s easy to overlook walls when thinking of how to pet-proof your home. Some pets like to rub up against your walls, spreading dirt and germs from their fur, and cats especially like to scratch at textured wallpaper.
Consider saving your favourite wallpaper for rooms that your pet rarely visits, and instead opt for simple painted walls that are easy to clean in common areas such as the lounge, the hallway and the kitchen. Satin and eggshell-finish paints look chic and stylish in living areas, and semi-gloss paints are an excellent choice for high-moisture rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Keep it clean with painted walls in high-traffic areas of your home. Images taken from the Bramham show home at Rosemeade, Huddersfield, and the Malham show home at Orchard Croft, Sheffield.
Four-legged fittings
Furniture legs are the perfect height for pets to get their teeth – or claws – stuck into, and your excitable new kitten or puppy may see sisal, wooden or wicker-bottomed furniture as an appealing chew toy or a scratching post. In addition to being easier to clean, chrome and metal legs are hard-wearing and far more resilient to the sharp teeth of your beloved pet.
Pet-owners may also want to consider exposed-bottomed beds, chairs and sofas as opposed to floor-length furnishings that will attract more pet hair and germs. Cats typically require less human interaction than dogs and will appreciate the dark underside of your exposed-bottomed sofa to spend time quality time alone.
Cats especially like to hide underneath legged furniture! Images taken from the Malham show home at Orchard Croft, Sheffield.