You love your pets as if they were members of your own family — but when it comes to home décor & design, what's practical beats what's pretty every time... right? Wrong.
Photo by Conner Baker on Unsplash
The year 2020 has really thrown us up and out of our comfort zones and many of us have filled that void with the warmth & reassurance of a furry friend. Whether through fostering or pet adoption, their have been rescue shelters across North America have had empty cages for the first time ever — and frankly, this is the type of good news we want to hear more of! #AdoptDontShop
Many of us have now found ourselves reaping the rewards of having a new pet in the means of cuddles, snuggles, more (or less) exercise, predictable routines and lots of love. However, you may also find that your days are now mostly occupied with maintaining the absolute basic cleanliness of your home. Be it a spill, a mess, torn up furniture, half-eaten creatures, accidents, holes, scratches, dents, and the fur — oh, the fur — somehow gets everywhere.
Home-sharing with pets can be quite a rude awakening for first-time pet owners. Although rewarding, the planning and execution of prepping your house can seem daunting.
Remember when decorating your home was once was a fun pastime? It's probably the last thing that you want to concern yourself with now! But what if I could let you know that just because you've added a furry member to your family does not mean you need to forego your taste for the finer things ...completely?
Thankfully, there are resources out there to help guide you and re-calibrate your space to fit you and your new family member. Let's find out how —
Photo by Chris Abney on Unsplash
Time to re-think your carpet
Especially if you live in areas that get cold seemingly overnight, having carpet in your home can not only be practical, but also understandably comfortable and attractive. If you're planning a renovation in the near future and plan on ripping out the existing carpet, then this need not apply to you.
For those of us who have and plan to keep our carpet, here are a few thoughts why it may not be best suited for your furry friend: it can get really, really dirty. If you have an indoor/outdoor pet, the added task of wiping down their paws before entering the house can only be efficient for so long before they inevitably track in mud, dirt, and debris from outside. Carpet is also a great breeding ground for germs and bacteria if not cleaned regularly; this could become a health hazard, not just to your pet, but to the entire family.
Speaking of hazards, if the carpets loops are shagged or have varying fibers, your pets' nails/claws could get caught, snagged, and worst case, your little buddy could potentially hurt themselves — and definitely damage your carpet in the process.
SO what's the solution? Think smoooooth surfaces — laminates, hardwoods, tiles, linoleums, etc.
Still want a carpet option? Bring in a large area rug that can be anchored by furniture (like a coffee table) to discourage your pets from tearing it to shreds.
Designer tip: Renovating? Consider putting heated floors in areas like your mudroom, bathroom & kitchen. Your pets will make those areas the place to be! (= easy to clean!)
(To find out which flooring suits your needs best, contact us at
eb&co Designs for your free consult!)
Join the dark side
Now, this may ruffle a few feathers — it is well-known that lighter colored fabrics, flooring, & surfaces tend to show dirt, grime & spills more clearly than darker ones. Bleach can only work so well! Moreover, the more delicate the material, the easier it will be for stains to occur and become nearly impossible to remove if left on too long. It is advised that you choose your materials wisely, and opt for darker furniture/flooring/finishes that repel and/or hide dirt well.
Don't want to get rid of your leather couch? No need.
Leather is actually one of the best materials for furniture upholstery due to the fact that hair/fur will not stick to it — it can endure mild abuse from rough housing, nails, and is easy enough to clean if becomes dirty!
Photo by Stephanie Harvey on Unsplash
Good cord maintenance
Given that we live in the age of technology, our homes are run with wires — the challenge is finding ways to make them look organized and out of the way. This couldn't be emphasized more with the introduction of pets — especially when it comes to kittens & puppies. The younglings are particularly drawn to these "strings", and will not hesitate to claw, gnaw, and chew their way through your cords and proudly display their work for you to admire.
Not only does this become a health concern for your pets, but exposed wiring can become an environmental hazard. If going cordless is not an option, here are a few options:
1. use cable protectors. These thick vinyl coverings offer an easy solution from pet damage as they slip over top any cords susceptible to chompers and claws alike.
2. hide your wires. You can get creative with how you hide your wires, but consider hiding them behind or under existing furniture if drilling holes into your drywall or flooring isn't a consideration.
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Keep your trash in the bin
If you're new to pet ownership, then get ready to get comfortable with your hands in your pets' mouth — often. All cats and dogs are drawn to smell to new things, but are especially intrigued by food. Some human foods can cause serious harm to your little fuzzball, so it's important to keep our food waste tucked safely away.
Homestyle-dumpster-diving may be a fun game for your fur-baby, but it will never be fun for you. Not only does it create a massive mess for you to clean, but they risk ingesting things that were never meant to be consumed. (Think of all the non-edible things you throw away!)
The solution here is a simple one: buy a trashcan with a secured lid.
If you can afford the space, keep a larger bin outside, or even keep one hidden in a cupboard. Install child-locks on your cabinets to prevent unwanted treasure-finding if you need to!
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
Room with a view
All pets love to people-watch. Some like to observe them through a window, others perched up high from a bird's eye view as they overlook their new-found kingdom — I mean, home. Even if you've got an indoor pet, it's important to give them the option to admire the outside world.
If you've got a busy household, either with other pets, kids, or people; consider making a few vantage points for your fur-child from which they can indulge in their natural curiosity from a safe place.
Not only will this offer various "safe zones", but will save your window sills, couches, and furniture near your windows from taking too much of a beating. Now if space is limited, dedicate a spot for your little guy. Add a blanket, a cover or even a bed so they know what to claim as theirs.
If you have a "no-go" space (ie. on top the computer tower or atop the book shelves *cough* *cough*), then be sure to make it uninviting and/or unattainable... and stay consistent in removing them when they're caught exploring somewhere they shouldn't be!
For privacy and shut-eye, consider getting a cat tree with multiple levels/dens or a dog house that doubles as a counter or entry table — the options are only limited by your imagination.
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R&R - Rest & Relaxation
Listen, we all love to kick our feet up and lounge around after a long day's work. And after a long day of doing nothing, your pet deserves to indulge in those same luxuries.
Of course, size considered, this can be as easy as creating multiple "safe zones" (see above) or going as far as making a personalized relaxation station for your fuzzy buddy: enter the DIY pet hammock*. Creating your own "havens" allows you to control what can be configured into a pet-friendly piece of furniture and how much store-bought pet paraphernalia takes over your living quarters.
Now, if do-it-yourself projects are not your strong suit, no worries! R&R can be as easy as hosing down your doggo in a pet-friendly area (bathroom, garage, mudroom, yard, etc.) to setting aside a special blanket & their fave teddy/toy for bedtime. It doesn't need to be any more complex than that.
Once you start getting to know your furry companion better, you will discover the things that make them feel loved, relaxed, and appreciated. Cause, MAN! It's hard work loving your human!
Photo by Jack Seeds on Unsplash
Photo by Autri Taheri on Unsplash
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
Customized cat wall
It's a known fact: cat's scratch. Their claws grow long and sharp and need constant maintenance. If scratch posts are not a design element you wish to bring into your home, then consider localizing the scratching by creating a cat wall.
Hear me out: cats love destroying things. Not always on purpose, and sometimes very intentionally — but if you give them a wall or an area in your house that is designed to keeps their brains occupied, then as an added benefit, they will stay off your open shelves, fridges, and tables where they could cause more cat-astrophy. [HA! Get it?]
The best part? It doesn't have to be expensive! Things like cardboard boxes, apple crates, old dresser drawers; you're only limited by your creativity! Some people have gone as far as dedicating an entire room to their beloved feline!
[Think cat obstacle course and you've got the visual!]
Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash
Sharing your space with a new member of the family will always have it's growing pains —
but this new relationship is one for life. You'll figure out what works for you and your family and what things are worth fussing over and others to let go of.
Remember, you may have taken them into your home, but to them, you are their entire world.
A huge thank you to Pet Friendly House
[ a Canadian & Alberta-based company ]
for the inspiration and resources discussed in this post —
check out their website for more info on their
A project to show that it is possible to have a home worthy of gracing
the pages of the glossiest home magazines while still enjoying all of the comforts
that simplify and enhance your life with pets.
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