Pet (Dog) Friendly Home
We all love our pets unconditionally, and we would go above and beyond for our little friends, from doggie daycare to pampered “pawdicures”…. — it really is important to invest in their health, safety and happiness. But just how do you introduce a few dog-friendly measures in your home that cater for their needs, and yours. I call it pet-friendly interior design … it is about creating a functional yet stylish home that works in the most compatible way for you and your pet.
And we can tell you that creating a home that is both stylish and pet-friendly isn’t easy — as I have recently experienced with the addition of little Freddie to our family. So here is our list of some simple steps you can follow to create an environment that caters for our little one’s needs and transforms your home into a 'purrfect' home for your dog.
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Comfort & Style
Make sure that wherever your fur baby tends to spend time is the right temperature for them. Dogs can quickly overheat and even suffer from heatstroke in warmer weather, so try providing things to keep them cool such as a dog pool and a shaded area. Your dog needs to have constant access to food and water.
You need to make sure that your dog has a comfy bed to sleep on and relax. A ( -stylish- ;) pet bed can really complement an interior and fit in with everything else in a space, this should not be something that is merely shoe-horned in the corner. Match your pet furniture to your lifestyle and home decor. For example, a cute dog bed not only performs its function, but also matches the aesthetic of the rest of your home. Create a sumptuous space for the little one to relax — that will also enhance the rest of your interior...
Freddie is such a creature of comfort, he loves to sleep curled up under a blanket. Anything I buy for him tends to be functional and needs to fit in with the decor… Here are some of my favourite dog beds that are comfy and stylish.
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Pet Safety
Having adequate fencing and an outdoor space that is suitable for a pet is essential. Don’t forget to also pet proof your house, you may wish to install baby gates to set some boundaries where they can and can’t go. Make sure they are safe and happy. The average home contains all sorts of hazardous objects for our pets (very sharp edges, ornaments that are likely to fall and smash, etc). Do check your home for fragile objects that your dog might knock over and could injure themselves. Put a frosted film or a decal on glass doors to avoid accidents… Keep treasured items well away from your bouncy pup. Also, keep cables and wires out of reach, or use cable covers and protectors or cable tidy boxes to stop your dog accidentally nibbling through any live wires.
It is certainly worth investing in a dog proof rubbish bin. If your dog gets into the bins they could end up eating all sorts of harmful foods or objects. To keep your little buddy safe, remove any poisons and hazards from around the house. Not only consider the use of a ‘green’ cleaning products, but also lock away any products as they can be really harmful to your dog. Move any medications and vitamins to a safe place. Yes… keep your toilet lid down. Some dogs can be fond of drinking from the toilet; keeping the lid down also eliminates a drowning risk.
Don’t laugh, but I find that the best way to check your home for hazardous objects is to get on all fours and look at things from a pet’s perspective... Look for any choking, suffocation, electrocution, or strangulation hazards.
Beware, some plants can be toxic to pets. It is worth going around your house/garden to check whether any plants you have could be harmful to your pet. You can find out more on the Dogs Trust List Of Poisonous Plants, Garden And Household Substances. If you use essential oils and diffusers in your home, I recommend you read this article Are essential Oils Potentially Harmful For Pour Pets?
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Stain-Resistant Fabrics
Odours and unsightly stains can seep into certain fabrics. Stain-resistant performance fabrics certainly is the way to go when it comes to purchasing upholstered or slipcovered furniture. Crypton fabric is a synthetic germ and stain-resistant option made with pet owners in mind. You may also wish to avoid fabrics that are a magnet for pet hair such as velvet, mohair, corduroy, or chenille. Also, be aware of any delicate materials that could be damaged by your little friend (silk and tweed).
Leather is a good choice - it can be wiped clean and does not absorb odour. Invest in quality textiles that will withstand the test of those little claws. If your heart is set on your current fabrics, invest in a good scratch guard. A stylish throw or blanket can do double duty and will protect your sofa from general wear and tear.
If, however, you find yourself in the position of having to reupholster a piece of furniture, I recommend selecting materials with a rub count of more than 18,000.
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Paw-Safe Flooring
I highly recommend flooring that is easy to clean… many carpet materials aren’t cut out to withstand stains and damage from pets (as I have found out — loop pile wool carpet can be problematic); not to mention that carpet harbours a whole host bacteria and pet hair. You can use products such as Intec spray to protect your carpet, but this certainly isn't a permanent solution. Avoid thickly woven sisal and jute rugs as your beloved pet will inevitably scratch these up and might ruin them, not to mention that sisal is not that easy to clean. You want a rug that is rather hard wearing, easy to clean and non-slippery. Cotton rugs are easy to clean and dry compared to shaggy rugs.
Hardwood floors such as oak, maple, cherry, elm or mahogany, or stone or laminate flooring are recommended. Note, stone flooring can be sealed with a product called Stain Stop which pretty much acts as a protective layer. Anti-skid tiles are ideal. And, they all have the additional benefit of keeping your pet cooler during warmer weather.
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Easy-Clean Walls
Don't overlook your walls - they could become a real headache to clean or repaint. Paint your walls with wipeable paint to make removing stains a lot easier. Semi-gloss or satin finish paint finishes are a great choice for rooms that see a lot of activity as they are easy to wipe down. Avoid highly-textured walls as your dog will most likely be rubbing against it.
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Doggy Wash & Clean
Having a dog shower (ideally in a mud room) will protect your home from those little muddy paws. You can keep all of their towels and shampoo in their own dedicated space so it is all ready when you need it.
If you don’t have the space for a mud room, install an entrance space in which to dry or wipe off your muddy buddy before they can enter the living space. Store pet wipes and any essentials in a cupboard at this entryway to keep the area tidy and uncluttered.
Invest in a good vacuum cleaner especially if you own a shedding breed that needs its fair share of dog grooming… Just saying.
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Food, Toy & Essentials Storage
Create a dedicated place to store all of your pet’s toys and accessories. I find that baskets are a great option, not only can your pet can ‘self-serve’ in retrieving their favourite toy, but you can also integrate storage baskets into the rest of your decor.
You could also add a decorative basket in your entryway for your dog’s leash and harness, balls and (in my case) any sticks! Or attach a stylish hook on the wall to hang a leash.
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Colour-Coordinated Accessories
Yesss, I am that person who colour-coordinates my pet accessories with my home style and decor (enough said). I keep my dog bowls as chic and minimal, errrm functional as possible — to resemble the decor in the kitchen.
Make sure they don’t get bored! Provide safe dog specific toys.
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It is certainly possible to achieve that very balance between a stylish home and still have the comfort of a four-legged cute (yet sometimes mischievous) little buddy. My little Freddie has wheedled his way into my heart and has become a huge part of the family.
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