If you’re building your home and you already know that you will be housing pets, you should begin to think about pet-friendly interior design. Your furry friends may dictate what type of flooring, furniture material, and other home upgrades are required to keep your home looking brand new, and to keep your pets safe.

Pet Friendly Flooring Options

When building your new home, there are plenty of flooring options to choose from! For homeowners with animals, this choice can be tough as your pets can cause a lot of wear and tear on your floors. Consider the pros and cons of each material before you decide what option is best suited for your new home and your pet.

Carpet

Although carpet can be difficult to clean without the proper equipment, this flooring option is popular due to its comfortability and non-slip feature. Carpeting made from nylon is the most suitable for pet owners because of its durability, stain resistance, and affordability.

When selecting your carpet, it is best to choose cut pile over looped pile, as looped pile tends to get stuck in your pet’s claw and often serves as a chewing toy. It is also a good idea to keep color in mind! It may be best to select a carpet color that will not show obvious stains or dirt.

Laminate

This flooring option is easy to install and requires minimal maintenance. Laminate flooring is generally inexpensive, but can provide you with the look of hardwood or tile. There are also water- and moisture-resistant options that make cleaning a little bit easier. However, laminate flooring cannot be refinished, so after years of wear and tear, it will have to be replaced. This floor can also be slippery and won’t provide your pets with great traction.

Vinyl

This affordable flooring material is another ideal choice for pet owners. Vinyl provides great traction for your furry friends, making it safe for them to walk on. It is also very easy to maintain and water resistant, making it a great option for kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms that are prone to spills and messes.

We offer engineered vinyl plank flooring which mimics the look of natural wood and is extremely durable.

Cork

Cork is an extremely soft flooring option, making it comfortable for human feet and paws alike! It is eco-friendly and naturally antimicrobial, meaning it will stop the growth of any mold or allergens. However, due to the softness of cork, it is easily damaged by heavy furniture which can cause dents in the floor. It is also easily scratched by animals’ nails. If you plan on having a large dog, this may not be the option for you! This flooring is great for small dogs and cats, as long as you keep their nails trimmed.

Bamboo

This eco-friendly flooring option is a great choice for pet owners! Bamboo is extremely hard and durable, which increases its resistance to stains and scratches. This material is also water resistant so there’s no need to worry about small accidents or spills. Fortunately, bamboo floors are easy to maintain, and over time, they can be refinished if there is natural wear and tear. However, if this flooring is installed in a very humid area, there is a chance that the floor planks may swell which can cause cracking.

Stone Tile

This eco-friendly flooring option is extremely durable and scratch resistant, making it a good flooring solution for pet owners. Stone tile is also easy to clean and water resistant, which makes it a great option for kitchens, foyers, and bathrooms! The main drawback of this option is that it is difficult to repair. Some stones are brittle and may chip, which is not an easy fix.

Hardwood

If your heart is set on hardwood flooring, there are a variety of pet-friendly options to choose from. Oak, cherry, maple, hickory, walnut, mahogany, and sycamore are harder wood options that are less likely to become scratched and scuffed. Look for a hardwood option that is coated with urethane to prevent damage from your pet’s nails. Keep in mind that hardwood is prone to stains and water damage, so cleaning up spills and accidents will need to be at the top of your to-do list!

If this flooring option sounds like it would be a good fit for your home, be prepared to pay a price! Hardwood flooring is not always the cheapest option due to its durability and long-lasting properties.

Maintenance Tips:

Whichever pet-friendly flooring option you choose, be sure to follow these general maintenance tips to preserve the material!

• Vacuum Weekly/Regularly — Vacuum your living spaces regularly to avoid build-up of allergens, pet hair, and airborne dust. There are a variety of vacuums available that are made specifically with pet owners in mind.
• Maintain Pet’s Nails — Be sure to trim your pet’s nails to avoid excessive scratching on your floors. This will also keep your pet’s feet healthy.
• Stock Stain Remover — In the case of any accidents, use a pet-friendly stain remover to get rid of obvious stains and odor.
• Wipe Paws — Keep your pet’s paws clean by wiping them down after they’ve been outside. This can prevent your pet from bringing in any outdoor allergens while also making sure they don’t trek in any dirt.
• Use a Mat — Place a mat under any food or water bowls and litter boxes to avoid water damage or stains to your floor.

Pet-Friendly Furniture Material

When choosing furniture material, consider the fabric that won’t attract pet hair, that cannot easily be chewed, is easy to clean, and cannot get stuck to pet paws. Natural fabric, synthetic fabric, and leather textiles are all great options for your furniture.

Natural Fabric

Fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk, wool, and rayon are extremely strong and durable, making them great choices for pet-friendly furniture material. Due to their durability, these fabrics wear well and last a long time. These fabrics also tend to come in a variety of patterns, weaves, and colors so there are plenty of options to choose from. However, they are susceptible to damage from sunlight and moisture. It is recommended to spray your furniture with stain-resistant products that will prevent any damage caused by your pets.

Synthetic Fabric

Textiles such as polyester, microfiber, acetate, polypropylene, nylon, olefin, and acrylic are all synthetic fibers that are stain resistant and more durable than natural fabrics. This fabric also tends to be more resistant to damage from pet paws and nails. Olefin is the strongest and cheapest synthetic fabric, making it a great pet-friendly furniture fabric.

Leather

Leather materials such as hides and suede are long-lasting and timeless textiles. Unlike fabric, leather does not absorb odor, which makes it a great choice for pet owners who allow their animals on their furniture. In addition to the classic and elegant look of leather, this material is very easy to clean and does not attract pet fur. However, if your furry friend tears or stains your leather furniture, it can be difficult and costly to repair.

Maintenance Tips:

To maintain the integrity of your pet-friendly furniture material, there are a few tips you can try.

• Vacuum — Vacuum or sweep your furniture regularly to avoid build up of pet fur or other allergens.
• Rotate the Cushions — To avoid any obvious wear and tear that will happen over time, rotate the cushions so they wear evenly.
• Use a Blanket/Sofa Cover — If your furry friend has a favorite spot on the couch, drape a blanket over top of the furniture or use a sofa cover for easy cleanup.
• Alternative Seating — Provide your pet with a special seat or bed especially designated for them so they have their own spot.
• Set Boundaries — If you would prefer not to have your pets on your furniture, be sure to set boundaries so they know where they can and cannot relax.
• Effectively Clean Up Accidents — Soak up any liquids. Spot clean or wash the cushions with a non-harsh detergent that is safe for pets. Be sure to air out the cushions and neutralize the odor with a cleaning agent like baking soda.

Home Upgrades

If you’re building your home with your pets in mind, there are several other home upgrades that will make your home comfortable for your animals.

Pet Shower

Install a pet shower in your laundry room or powder room for your animals! Avoid the mess of bathing your cat or dog in your own bathtub. Skip the inconvenience of bathing your pet outside in colder seasons or taking them to a groomer.

Pull-Out Bowls

Consider adding pull-out bowls to your kitchen or mudroom for your pet! This convenient upgrade allows for an easy way to hide or put away your pet’s bowls when they aren’t being used.

Pet Door

Allow your pet to easily come and go with a pet door! If you have a fenced-in yard, this may be a great solution for allowing your dog to utilize the outdoor space when you aren’t home to take them out.

Built-In Pet Beds

Give your pet their own space by creating built-in pet beds! They’re simple to put away and can be tucked into an existing structure in your home so they’re not in the way.

Reasons to Pet Proof Your Home

Pet proofing your home is a necessity to keep your pet and house safe! There are many lurking hazards that your pets can identify in multiple rooms within your house and it’s important to eliminate them before your furry friend finds them.

Tips for Pet Owners

Follow these tips to ensure that your home is pet friendly!

Living Room

• Place dangling wires from lamps, DVD players, televisions, stereos, and telephones out of reach.
• Put away knick-knacks and children’s toys that are easy to swallow or tear apart.
• Move common house plants, candles, or other decor that may be poisonous out of reach. Don’t forget hanging plants that can be jumped onto nearby surfaces.
• Make sure your front door is closed properly each time you enter or exit.

Bedroom

• Make sure windows are securely closed.
• Put all shoes and laundry out of reach so they don’t become toys.
• Put away edible decorations.

Bathroom

• Place medications, cosmetics, toothpaste, etc. on high shelves.
• Keep trash cans covered or empty.
• Keep the toilet lid closed to prevent drowning or the ingestion of harmful fluids and chemicals.
• Make sure shampoos and soaps are not left out where a dog can reach.
• Put away all electrical appliances (hairdryer, straightener, etc.).

Kitchen

• Use childproof latches to keep little paws from prying open cabinets.
• Keep a lid on your trashcan.
• Keep all food out of reach, especially fruit, candy, and chocolate which are known to be toxic to pets.
• To be on the safe side, it’s always best to put things like pots and pans in the lower cabinets and move all food products and cleaning items to a higher spot.

Garage

• Move chemicals to high shelves.
• Clean the floor of the garage and driveway of any harmful chemicals.
• Keep tools and sharp objects out of reach.
• Replace cardboard boxes with plastic, sealable boxes to avoid your pet eating the cardboard and getting inside any box.
• Make sure your garage doors remain closed so your pet doesn’t escape.

If you’re ready to start designing the interior of your pet-friendly home, make an appointment to visit our selection gallery to see all of the materials and options we have to offer!