5 Things You Need to Know About Creating a Pet-Friendly Home
Home and pets can mix!
Allowing your pets to share your home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your own comforts or style. The reality is that for many Melbournians, home just isn’t home without pets: whether they’re feathered, furred or scaled, they’re part of the clan!
We get it: achieving a chic home that’s safe and practical for your animal babies might seem a bit daunting, and that’s why we’ve decided to share our top #5 tips on creating a beautiful and pet-friendly home.
Ok, let’s stick to the point and dive straight in…
Plan, plan, plan
Whether you’re moving house, renovating or building, now is the time to accommodate your pet’s needs. Take time to think about where your pet will sleep, eat, toilet and exercise.
Is there access to an outdoor area? Do you need to include a doggy-flap in the door? Is the laundry trough big enough to bath your pet?
Designate areas for your pets and their accessories. Think about a storage solution for pet food and all the other bits and bobs that comes along with keeping animals – maybe including a cupboard especially for ‘everything pets’ would be your best option?
Forward planning is key to ensuring that you and your family can accommodate and enjoy your pets inside, without sacrificing the functionality of the home. The frustration of tripping over the cat’s bowl or treading on dog biscuits on the carpet (or your freshly crawling baby playing with the pet water bowl!) is something we’re all too familiar with, but it doesn’t have to happen or continue!
Where will you both spend most of your time?
Nothing beats nights cuddled up on the couch with your fur baby, but animals aren’t always kind to furniture, so be mindful of what would best suit (and not get destroyed) by your furry friend.
Remember, there’s no need to sacrifice the look you love: if you want fabric, microfiber is often considered to be the best option for a pet-friendly home. If you love leather, opt for a naturally stressed-looking leather that won’t show scratches.
Turn your Pet Corner into a Feature
Your pet will need somewhere to sleep, but that doesn’t mean you have to rush out and buy a cheap, paw-print doggy basket from your local pet store.
Why not turn your pet basket into a trendy feature? Think over-sized, plaid cushions, built-in window seats, drawer beds or a re-purposed wooden toy box. Get creative to come up with something practical and gorgeous (and have some fun in the process!)
Struggling for inspiration? Houzz is always a great place to start!
Invest in a Quality Vacuum Cleaner
Mess from pets is inevitable, but keeping your home clean and fur-free doesn’t have to be too hard. And the key is investing in a quality vacuum cleaner.
Removing pet dander, hair and dirt from your carpets, hard floors, sofas, curtains and any other surfaces isn’t an option: it’s an important part of creating a comfortable, healthy and allergy-free home for yourself and your family.
Take your time to research different options and look at reviews online. Talk to other pet parents about what works for them.
Why not consider a robot vaccum to zip it’s way around the house collecting pet hair as it goes?! Be sure to check out the article “Robot Vacuums – Are They Worth The Hype” on our blog so you can learn more about these amazing little tech helpers!
Disinfectant and hearty mop will also be your best friend. Also on the blog you can read about some of our favourite DIY cleaning products you can make using essential oils. Not only do they smell divine, but they also have very effective antiviral and antiseptic properties that make them a fantastic choice for many household cleaning chores!
Choose Pet-friendly Indoor Plants
Decorating with indoor plants has always been popular choice, but be careful to choose species that will suit both your home and your pets. Did you know some can be dangerous for your pets if they ingest them!?
Yes, there are certain plants that can be harmful to animals, but there are also plenty that aren’t. Check out the varieties listed below – we’ve selected 10 plants that look great, are relatively easy to care for, and are safe around pets:
- African Violets
- Parlour Palm
- Spider Plants
- Moth Orchid
- Boston Ferns
- Baby Tears
- Succulents
- Air Plants
- Venus Flytrap
- Bromeliads
Worried that your pets will make a mess of your potted plants? There are tips and tricks for this problem too! Talk to your local nursery about various products that are available to keep your cat or dog away from your plants.
So as you can see, there’s no need to keep your furry family members outside. With some simple considerations, a pet-friendly home is just a few steps away and can still look super chic and safe for all involved.
Cutest photo courtesy of The Barney Bed 😍