If you’re anything like us, you go a little crazy for your
pets. We’re the type to purchase overpriced, organic dog treats and Egyptian cotton
cat beds (even though Fluffy much prefers napping the bathroom sink). We love
our pets, but we don’t love what our pets often do to our home. From tracking
mud to shedding hair, keeping our homes clean in the presence of pets is a big
job. Here are a few ideas for how to (stylishly) pet proof:
Blanket Solution
It’s mostly our fault, because we like the puppy snuggles so
much, but our dog is pretty comfortable hopping up on our expensive sofa. We
love the idea of wrapping a durable but aesthetically lovely blanket around the
cushions to protect from hair, dirt and scratches.
Photo: Design Sponge |
Under the Rug
If you know you are a pet devotee, skip the wall-to-wall
carpeting and instead opt for stylish area rugs. They are easier to keep clean
and vacuum around, and have the added benefit of being available in small
patterns and dark colors, both of which aid in making pet hair a less obvious
nuisance (along with many other such challenges).
Photo: Design Sponge |
Give some thought to your fabric choices when bringing Fido
or Fi Fi home. Some are great for dogs, awful for cats, or perfect for pets in
general. For example, velvet can be a magnet for a pet hair, and it isn’t the
easiest to clean, but it’s an excellent way to combat cat scratching (it isn’t
a looped fabric), so always consider the way in which an animal will interact
with your fabrics before purchasing.
Photo: ihavecat.com |
Faux Fur
Photo: Etsy.com |
While it may seem silly, matching your home décor to your
pet’s fur color will save you a lot of time, money and headaches. If you’ve got
a yellow lab, dark fabrics are going to show the shedding really quickly. Try
out paler options first. If you are one of the non-superstitious saints who has
adopted a black cat, dark fabrics will be your friend.
We hope these tips are helpful enough to have you headed to your local Humane
Society to adopt a first, second or third four-legged addition to your
family!