7 Tips on How to Design a Home with Pets in Mind
- Dec 28, 2018
- 1154 views
Bringing along your furry friend to your new home? Consider these design tips that will not only help pet-proof your new space, but also make your pets feel completely welcome and safe.
Design: Distinctidentity
1. Think about your fabrics
When it comes to your sofa upholstery, avoid materials that attract pet hair and can be scratched or stained easily. Leather is a great option since they tend to repel fur, although you’ll want to avoid leather that is too smooth as it can be scratched very easily. Synthetic microfibre is also very durable and fur can be removed easily with a lint roller. Covers should also be removable so that you can clean them easily.Opt for bedsheets made from tightly woven fabrics.
2. For the surfaces of your home, go for durable and easy-to-clean materials
To keep your pet-occupied home in a pristine condition for the long haul, make sure your walls and flooring, the major surfaces of your home, are easy to wipe down and clean. For walls, choose a paint that has a slightly glossy sheen, which is easier to clean compared to matte surfaces. Go for paint that is stain-resistant like Dulux’s Wash & Wear range. Textured wallpaper is best avoided, since they tend to be perfect scratching posts.Make sure your flooring material of choice provides enough traction for your pets.
3. Consider their need for space
A dog flap was built into the side of the bookcase so that this Maltese can move in and out of its owner's bedroom easily.
The cat ladder is covered in the same wood laminates as the TV wall.
A cat ramp was integrated into the TV console.
An entire room was dedicated to serve as a playroom for the cats of the house.
4. Keep the litter tray and food feeder out of sight
Pet essentials like the litter tray and food feeder should be tucked away out of sight, but they should also be easily accessible by your pets. Consider their day-to-day habits when deciding a good location. A good place for the litter box is in the bathroom underneath the vanity, or in the service yard.The cat's litter tray is hidden within the bathroom vanity cabinets.
The litter tray station for the household's many cats is located in the service yard of the apartment.
5. Provide a home for them to return to
A built-in nook made for the homeowner's cat, integrated into the full-length storage cabinets.
An entryway bench for putting on shoes doubles as a cosy nook for the homeowners’ pet dog.
6. Set up a dog washing station
For dog owners, you might want to create a separate washing station for your paw pal if you have the space for it. It doesn’t take up a lot of space and you can work it into your service yard or laundry area. Elevated designs are better for human ergonomics, making bath time for your dog a less back-breaking affair. No space for a separate washing station? Make sure you install a flexible handheld shower head in your bathroom for an easier wash-up session.A wash station for dogs was set up beside the laundry room in this home.
7. Furniture choice is crucial
In areas where your pets might roam, keep things safe by avoiding furniture made from glass or low-lying furniture with sharp edges. When going for furniture with legs, eschew those with wooden ones for metal legs instead as the former is more easily destroyed if your dogs happen to chew on them. Get firmer seats that can keep their shape over time. Taller furniture is a good option as it helps to keep things out of reach from your pets’ paws. For smaller pieces of furniture like coffee tables, make sure they are sturdy enough so that they are not easily toppled over.Furniture with metal legs are less susceptible to the effects of your dog's chewing.

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