A woof here! Another woof there! Everywhere a woof-woof!

A furry friend always turns your home into an overflowing haven of happiness. Always there for us, showering us with love and excitement, furry friends are indeed family. There is nothing better than a home designed with your pooche’s needs in mind. Creating a pet-friendly home does take effort. There will be certain compromises to make in designing your home, but it’s going to be worth it. After all, nothing elevates your pet’s mood more than tidy spaces, good aeration and natural light.

Our experienced interior designers have collected these ideas to help you narrow down options to create a beautiful and amazing home for your pets.

Fragrance & Paints

Let’s start with the fragrance. Yes, we all know its importance. Installing air purifiers can help reduce allergies, including germs and particles in the air. There are portable air purifiers available. Trying organic fragrance options is always the safest idea, as they have zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and propellants. Also, while choosing the right paint for your home, always prefer water-based paint over oil-based paints so they won’t be exposed to toxic paints or varnishes. You would never regret scrubbable paint. Imagine your pet returning from a rainy day full of mud and deciding to walk, rubbing the wall. You’d be pleased to opt for scrubbable paint.

Are you aware of plants that are poisonous to dogs?

Pups have a habit of chewing on anything they can get their paws on during their early days. So, it’s wise to keep poisonous plants away from those paws. A few of them are aloe vera, hyacinth, and sago palm. Incorporating green elements into your interiors induces calmness, reduces stress, and inspires mindfulness. This art is called biophilia. The spider plant is a pet-friendly plant that enhances your interiors and also purifies the air.

Pawitecture: Furniture’s and Fabrics

Dogs & cats are dynamic creatures.

An efficient choice would be to opt for minimalist decor and furniture that take up less space.

They also have the habit of scratching and biting furniture. It is wise to have non-wooden finishes like metals at the bottom. Metal furnishings are easy to maintain and last longer.

Laminates are pet-friendly. It doesn’t mean that they are scratch and stain resistant. They can be used for wardrobes and cabinet areas in the kitchen. Keep in mind to implement them in places that are out of pet’s reach.

While choosing your sofas and cushions, go for stain-resistant ones. Microfiber coverings for your sofas and chairs are a good option as they are easy to clean. So every time your dog comes back after a fun run full of dirt and lands on your sofa, you won’t really freak out. Are you a cat owner? Do you worry about your rugs, sofas, and cushions having scratch marks on them? We recommend going for tight weave fabrics and definitely avoiding leather products at all costs. There is a wide range of synthetic fabrics available that do not hold scents, are scratch-resistant and can be cleaned easily.

Flooring for paws

Hardwood floors are so pleasing to the eye .  However, they are also exposed to the risk of scratches and can hold liquid in small gaps. Imagine if there was an indoor pee-pee accident. This results in the odour and degradation of the wood. It is a good option to have ceramic or vinyl tiles all around your home, relieving you of anxieties. They are scratch-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. Avoid smooth and over-slippery marbles. Add plenty of scratch posts so the pets can sharpen their claws without damaging your floor or furniture.

Pet Toy Storage & Natural lighting

Every kid has a play area growing up. Our pets also need a toy station. A happy pooch always has a collection of toys. A toy here, another toy under the bed, one in the living room—where are the rest?

Aaaarrgghh!! So frustrating, right? Kids and pets can be so messy. It will feel more organised if there is a dedicated section for toys. To store a mountain of toys, you can use canvas baskets. If there are more, you can use huge cabinets for storage.

Pets love being outdoors. If you are located in an urban area without places for pets to run around, we advise you to use curtains that are light and do not block out light entirely. Apart from minimalism, good aeration and large windows allow natural light to flow in.

All-in-one Paw Territory

Our furry friends also need moments of solitude. A safe and separate fun space for your pets can help keep your space clean and organised. It is refreshing for them to have their own safe space. We can install paw-friendly furniture, beds, and a toy station. They can play and sleep in their own space instead of playing in your living or culinary space.

Rugs for homes with pets

A rug can enhance the aesthetics of the room. But, certain rugs are not wise options for a home with pets. Dogs can make a huge mess or even ruin them. Imagine having a rug with paw prints and you could just throw them into the washing machine and chill. A smart choice is to go for indoor-outdoor rugs, as they work well in your kitchen and alongside the doors that lead to your home playground.

Beds and seating areas (thrones) for your furry friends

In any part of your room, a separate bed spot can be incorporated for your pet to doze off into a good sleep. For example, if there are open shelves, the lowest section can be a good spot for your pet to rest. A separate seating area for them can save you from fur loads on your sofas and beds. A custom dog cushion with changeable covers is a dream come true for every pet owner. You can change the covers periodically and wash them. It ensures good hygiene, and no odour or germs.

Even if you buy them beds, they might roam around and establish themselves on sofas and beds. Throw in stain-resistant fabrics to avoid getting fur in your sitting and bed spaces. Cats like to jump around and sleep in weird spots. They do enjoy high spots on the ground. Why not incorporate their beds into walls like shelves that they can jump around on? There are ready-made options for wall-mounted cat beds available online.

Messy-bath station and food points

Pets do like to get dirty. Giving them a bath is even messier. Designing a bath corner to give your pet a shower makes your pet-shower sessions easier. It also helps to organise all the pet grooming essentials in one space.

Dogs make a mess around the place they eat. It is good to have a particular spot at your disposal for feeding them.

Pets are family. For all the love they give us, we owe them the best care and support. Life will seem brighter when you see that your furry friend is happy in your home. There are indeed challenges to having a pet, but isn’t that a part of love? To go through challenges and be together. To avoid fragile objects too close to the ground, choosing non-toxic paints, and having happy toy storage spaces are indeed measures we take for our pets. D’LIFE has mentioned ideas to curate your home into a more pet-friendly space. The interior design you choose also plays a great role in the health and comfort of your pet.

We hope this blog is informative and has given you ideas to design your home interiors with your pet at heart.