We all love our pets, but they can certainly present challenges when it comes to decorating. Over the years, I’ve found myself constantly working around their messes, fur and scratches. However, as we build our new home I have the opportunity to plan with them in mind from the start. With a little thought and smart design choices, it's absolutely possible to create a stylish, pet-friendly home that works for everyone. Here’s me with Shelby (Toy Australian Shepherd), Tucker (Boykin/Lab mix) and Jack (Dachshund/Terrier/Chihuahua mix). We also have a cat (Kit Kat) who hates to be inside and three chickens.

One of the first design decisions I made was to install a pot filler in the pantry—not for cooking, but for filling the dog bowls. With three dogs, it feels like I’m always refilling their water and this small addition will make life so much easier. I also chose tile flooring in the pantry (instead of the wood floors we’ll have in the kitchen) to handle any water drips without the hassle of constant cleanup. To make feeding time more manageable, I’m planning to store all their food in the pantry as well, keeping everything organized and within easy reach. I hope the Farmer Dog will stay cool in the wine fridge! Here are the elevations I just sent over to my carpenter with all the shelves detailed out.

Next came the floors. While many recommend LVP for its scratch resistance and waterproof qualities, we knew we wanted real wood. Vinyl just can’t replicate the warmth and character of true wood floors. After some thought, we decided on a medium-tone stain, which will help camouflage the inevitable dog hair and opted for a matte finish to minimize the appearance of scratches that glossy finishes tend to highlight. To stay on top of fur and keep things neat, I’ll also be investing in a robot vacuum to handle the daily cleanup. I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments.

We’re definitely planning to get new furniture for the family room. Our current sofa’s back cushions have taken a beating as our smaller dogs have flattened them out over the years by claiming them as their favorite napping spots. This time, I’ll be choosing cushions that aren’t quite as inviting for the pups! The dining room windows sit just 12 inches off the floor and look out onto the front of the house. For Christmas, each dog will be getting their own cozy bed placed by a window, giving them the perfect spot to relax and keep watch for the UPS man.

All the main upholstery pieces, including the sofa and two swivel chairs, will be covered in performance fabrics. I’ll likely choose something a bit more delicate for the accent chair, which will be off-limits to the pets. Performance fabrics are designed to be either stain-resistant or much easier to clean than traditional options like linen, cotton or velvet. Thankfully, these fabrics have come a long way, offering a wide range of colors and pretty patterns. Leather is another great option since it’s durable and easy to wipe down. However, high-quality leather can show scratches, which I know would drive me crazy. If you do opt for leather, try to mix it with other fabrics. Going all-in on leather for every piece can feel too heavy and uninspiring.

Slipcovers are another way to keep your upholstery clean. Just remember they have a more relaxed fit (more wrinkles) and you’re limited on the fabrics that you can put in a washing machine. In this living room we used four chair with slipcovers, a performance fabric on the cocktail ottoman and a wool rug.

Since we are using wood flooring in most every room, I have to find rugs that are pet-friendly. Our newest addition is having few accidents, so I’m not as worried about that as I am all the dirt the dogs bring in. The easiest rug to keep clean are your indoor/outdoor rugs, but most of those look like they belong on your porch instead of your family room. Like performance fabrics, they have come a long way but I prefer to have something that is a little softer on your feet and brings in some color. In this family room, we used a rug made from PET yarn. This is a recycled yarn, made from plastic water bottles. Super easy to clean and eco-friendly, but not so soft.

Wool rugs are an excellent choice for pet-friendly homes as it’s naturally stain-resistant, durable and easy to clean. Additionally, wool fibers have a natural resilience, helping to maintain their appearance even with frequent use. On the other hand, it’s best to avoid viscose rugs. While they can have a beautiful, silky appearance, viscose fibers are not as durable and are more prone to staining. They can also be challenging to clean, often requiring professional care.

Finally, use throws, decorative pillows, and bedding that are machine-washable. Since our dogs like to sleep with us at night, I use a quilt or coverlet on the bed, paired with a washable blanket folded at the foot that I don’t mind them lounging on. The pillows at the top of the bed are off-limits to the dogs, so I choose fabrics that aren’t pet-friendly for those. At night, I remove the decorative pillows, fold the quilt down and cover the bed with the washable blanket for easy cleanup. When selecting pillows, look for ones with zippers - these little details make it much simpler to keep everything clean and fresh. In this pet-friendly vacation rental I designed, I followed each one of these tips for this bed.

Creating a pet-friendly home doesn’t mean sacrificing style or comfort. With thoughtful planning and the right choices, you can design a space that works for both you and your furry friends. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m here to help you navigate the process of designing a beautiful, functional and pet-friendly space tailored to your needs. Together, we can create a home that everyone will love, two-legged and four-legged alike!

Thanks for Reading!
Jennifer

Making Your Home Pet-Friendly Without Sacrificing Style

Let’s Decorate for Thanksgiving

Dreams Come True {final take}