Pet-Friendly Interior Design Advice-According to LiLu
By Lisa Peck, ASID
And here she is with her big brother.
Pet-Friendly Interior Design Advice
We all love our pets. They greet you when you come home and they love you unconditionally and we all love them the same way…until they damage the sofa or a wood table! At LiLu many of us have pets, from cats to dogs to Guinea pigs and we love them. Our clients love their pets too! Today we are going to give you pet-friendly interior design advice that will keep the peace and keep you loving those dogs and cats! (let’s face it fish aren’t going to damage the furniture)
Consider Pet-Friendly Fabrics
One of our top tips for a pet-friendly interior is to match any furniture your dog or cat will be able to sit in to their fur color. This is a sure way to cut down on the stress of an announced visit from your mother-in-law. If she can’t see the fur, it’s not there right?
If a pet-friendly interior design is a priority for you, today’s indoor/outdoor fabrics are easily spot cleaned to hide fur ball incidents. Not a topic you want to bring up with your designer but the truth is there is not a cat out there who doesn’t cough up the occasional furball. Fabrics and rugs that spot clean easily are a must! The good news is that the market has demanded bulletproof fabrics that are fashion-forward and the demand has been met! I even own a Sunbrella throw that can go through the wash and come out looking new. Other fabrics like Crypton are part of our key strategy when asked for pet-friendly interior design advice.
When Pet Jump on Counters
If your cat is likely to jump up on a table, counter or chest and spend some time there gazing out the window choose your finish wisely. Here's our best advice to create pet-friendly surfaces.
Think about quartz countertops which are likely to hold up to stomach acid better than most countertop materials. At all costs avoid marble tops which will etch. Some of this we have learned through the hard experiences of our clients.
If you have a piece of nicely finished wood furniture you don’t want your cat up on consider training the cat not to jump up on counters and furniture.
I know there are dog owners out there saying “Hey, my dog jumps up on counters when there is bread out” What do I do? I say put away all food! There aren’t many materials that will remain unharmed by an 85 pound dog jumping up on them but granite or quartz counters are your best bet.
Flooring and Claws That Are Compatible?
Flooring choices are important when you have an occupant in your home with claws! Our design advice for making floors pet-friendly? For hard flooring, a dog scrambling to get out the door or defend against the mailman means scratches in a soft wood floor. Some people embrace the patina! But if you aren’t one of them consider a porcelain tile floor or a linoleum. Think about the easy maintenance that you would like so your pet doesn't make extra work for you.
Cozy on Your Toes But Works For Paws
When thinking about carpets and rugs. First as we said above consider indoor outdoor rugs. But say the limited color palette and patterns just won't finish off your living room or dining room in a way that makes you happy. Here's our advice for carpets and rugs that are compatible with our four-legged friends. First, no loops. Loops catch on claws. Dogs and cats have claws. If a carpet resembles something you would find on a scratching post do not use it on your floor. Cut pile is your best choice.
If you have a rug that is too precious to replace consider using invisible fencing indoors! This can protect a rug or a room from a pet who wants to be good but might be tempted to do something naughty.
If storage of pet items is a pain for you take a look at our blog from Monday to see how LiLu designed a kitchen perfect for a couple and their dog. For more pet-friendly interior design advice call the LiLu Studio to set up a time to talk about what you and your pet are looking for in your home.