Household pets are a life-changing companion – they’re renowned stress busters, immunity boosters, exercise motivators, and cute to boot. While most of us are happy about welcoming a furry addition to our home, most of us would prefer it didn’t turn our aesthetically pleasing abodes into a pet den with fur-covered furniture and pet accessory chaos around every corner. Fortunately, it’s possible to create a stylish and functional home for you and your beloved pets to co-exist; it just takes a bit of forethought and some intentional choices. Here’s how:

Pet-proof with style

Pets are famed mess makers, so minimise the burden of continual and difficult clean-ups and set yourself up for success with durable surfaces, clever covers and more.

Paw-proof flooring

If you can switch from carpet to something more durable, your pet-parent life will become a lot easier. Scratch-resistant flooring like tiles, hardwood (with a protective finish) or vinyl is hardwearing and makes it simple to clean up spills and minimise odours.

Snuggly yet stain-resistant upholstery

Invest in a snuggly and washable slipcover to protect your favourite couches, or if you’re buying new furniture, choose stain-resistant and durable fabrics like leather, microfiber and outdoor-style fabrics. Alternatively, look at bespoke pet-friendly couches prioritising scratch, moisture and fade resistance.

Furniture that’s up to scratch

While it’s not a habit you want to encourage, cats, in particular, often can’t resist treating the arms of your couches like a tree or scratching pad. Protect them with transparent cat scratch deterrent tape that easily adheres to your furniture. It will look after your couches and act as a deterrent – teaching them that it’s not a place to exercise their claws.

Four-legged friendly rugs

Soft furnishings are a home décor essential, but with pets in the house, opt for low pile over plush and, ideally, a washable rug. Low-pile rugs trap less pet fur, making regular vacuuming simple, and if you find something that’s stain-resistant, even better!

Protective paint

If a lick of paint is in the plans, opt for semi-gloss or satin paint in this season’s hottest hues. Semi-gloss or satin paints will make wiping the walls clean of dirt and various pet messes a breeze.

Pet-friendly plants

You may need to re-think your indoor jungle, as some plants are highly toxic to curious pets. Fortunately, there are still plenty of popular pet-safe plant options like spider plants, Boston ferns, string of turtles and much more. For bonus cat points, try planting some cat nip!

Safe and stylish stairs

If your pets struggle with stairs, creating a non-slip surface is a must, but it doesn’t have to mean ugly non-slip tread. Try your hand at installing a stair runner rug, consider a retractable magic mesh pet screen, or for the ultimate pampered pooch, forego letting them use the stairs at all and simply carry your royal canine.

Create pet-friendlier zones

From cosy custom pet nooks to hidden litter boxes and clever organisation, creating pet-friendly zones in your home will keep your pets and their accessories from dominating your space.

Pet nooks

Wave goodbye to dog crates or cat beds that dominate your living spaces, and instead, create a cosy out-of-the-way nook like an elevated window perch for cats, a cool DIY project to disguise unsightly crates or relocate Fido to a comfy spot under the stairs.

Out-of-sight pet essentials

Litter boxes and feeding stations are pet essentials that shouldn’t double as focal points or tripping hazards in your home. Choose locations that are hidden away (like the laundry), clever DIY solutions or if you’re out of options, choose an aesthetically pleasing litter box.

Leave mud in the mudroom

Walking a dog can be a messy affair, which is where a well-equipped mudroom or entryway can save a lot of hassle. Install hooks for leashes, storage for towels and Fido’s favourite threads, and, if space allows, a designated doggy wash station.

A stylish home and pets can co-exist

Maintaining a stylish home while accommodating the needs of your pets is possible. It just takes a bit of thought around the functionality of spaces and materials and careful consideration when choosing new décor for your home. If that all seems too hard, you could opt for a more contained pet like a fish, turtle or bird, but if your heart is set on a furry companion and your current home just won’t do, talk to your local First National Real Estate team. They can help you find a space that works for your entire family – pets included!