Pet-Friendly Home: Co-Creating a Stylish and Beautiful Abode with Your Furry Kids

By Arlyn Molina

Embracing Pets in Stylish Homes

I am a pet lover— specifically, a cat lover. I am troubled by clients with furry friends who seem to believe that having pets greatly limits the design potential. In other words, you cannot have a well-designed home with pets. If you’re in the same predicament, are hoping to grow your family with paw-some pals, or have friends currently believing the same, then this article is for you!

Yes. A beautifully curated and designed home is possible with pets. Read over that again. A huge setback I get from clients themselves is in regards to rugs. Rugs are VITAL for a complete design in my personal philosophy. The solution?

The Washable Revolution for Pet-Proof Floors

Thanks to technology and the ever-evolving world of design, these are becoming even more mainstream and beautiful than before. A pet has an accident? No worries. Toss the rug in for a wash, and you’re all set! There’s no reason why your design should suffer when these solutions exist.

Furniture: Leather and Washable Wonders for Furry Loungers

Second issue that I often encounter is when it comes to furniture. Some clients have taught their pets not to rest or sleep on furniture and while this is amazing, it just is not achievable for everyone. In this instance, I recommend furniture that is either genuine leather or you guessed it— washable. (Starting to notice a trend here? A lot of these even apply to households with little ones too.) Leather makes it easy to wipe in cases of mud, saliva or ___insert problem here__. A good leather couch will also last you a very long time.

Slipcovers and Pet-Safe Picks: Affordable Style That Endures

If leather is out of budget, there are now sofas with washable, removable slipcovers. Yes, you can have both a beautiful, cream-colored couch and your little furry friends. Pro-tip: look for furniture that is considered “pet-safe or pet-friendly” for longevity.

Pet Accessories: Stylish Storage to Keep Chaos Contained

Can you guess another issue with pets? Their accessories! How can you have a beautiful home with toys riddled everywhere and pet bowls in clear view? Storage is the solution. For my two sweet cats, Chip and Sugar, I have a woven bin under my coffee table that serves as decor and also as a storage solution for their little toy fish and pom poms. As far as larger toys like cat towers and beds, I recommend looking for pieces that fit in with your current decor. We don’t want to have anything that detracts from the beautiful design you’ve already established in your home, so I recommend looking for pieces that will blend in. Find places for your water bowls and litter boxes where visitors don’t see them and if they must, make sure they blend in.

Here is another BIG issue I often encounter that many of my pet lovers are not even aware they have— odors. A well-designed home is not only beautiful to see, but must also feel and smell fresh. I recommend spraying down all fabric with (pet-friendly) fabric refresher spray. Do this at least once a week. Available are also deodorizing sprays for your entire home and plug-in solutions to automatically tackle the issue. It’s important to note that pets themselves can be sprayed down with appropriate solutions as well. When in doubt, bravely ask a friend if your home smells like your pet. They will be honest, hopefully! Finally, a clean home will also greatly help with this.

Curtains: Float-Length Fabrics for Hair-Free Elegance

A final recommendation? Make sure curtains for your home are float length. This means they will be about 1 to 1.5 inches off your floors. This length allows for them to stay cleaner longer, not become a trap for pet hair, and last longer themselves. 

A home that is carefully designed, feels inviting and cozy, and beckons company to relax is a form of discipline. It goes beyond the looks into the livelihood and lifestyle you hope to have. After years of enjoying Chip and Sugar and having clients who value the same, I am here to encourage you: you can have a beautiful home with sweet furry friends.

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