PET-PROOF YOUR HOME IN STYLE WITH THESE EIGHT SIMPLE DECORATING TIPS
Is your home stylish? Or has it gone to the dogs – and cats?! Do you need some useful tips on decorating your home with pets in mind? Thanks to my guest Jennifer Lutz, here are eight simple decorating tips that will help you create your stylish home…
Pet-proof your home with style
Decorating dreams are often limited by the reality of wear-and-tear that pets can wreak on furnishings – hair on furniture, snagging rugs, scratching hardwood floors. Luckily, there are plenty of design trends that will stand up to whatever your cat or dog puts them through. Here are some pet-friendly ideas that work well in any household, no matter how furry!
Wool Rugs
Aside from giving your home an eco-friendly vibe and a rustic touch, wool is durable enough to stand up to frisky pets. Wool rugs actually do attract fur, but they’re more vacuum-friendly and stain-resistant, thus preventing dirt from seeping through the fibers. Note that cats tend to scratch thick-pile rugs like a scratching post, so a low-pile rug may be a better option for households with playful felines.
Battery-Operated Candles
Modern flameless candles allow you to create a romantic ambience in your home without putting your pet and yourself at risk. It mimics the warmth and flicker of a real candle, so you can turn it on and leave it unattended without worrying about your pets or the house.
Pet Cube Ottomans
Cats enjoy sitting on bench tops and stuffing themselves inside boxes or nooks. With ottoman stools doubling as cubbyholes for pets, you can meet your beloved feline’s needs while taking advantage of the furniture’s efficiency. The lightweight ottomans can be moved around easily, so they won’t seem stuck in one spot.
Blankets and Throws
We love cuddling with our pets while they chill out on the couch, but the inevitable scratching and “accidents” may ruin the fabric if you don’t protect your furniture. Choose a blanket or throw that complements your décor, and drape it artfully over Fido’s favorite spot. You can easily shake out any hair and toss it in the wash when it gets soiled. Bonus: You’ll never get chilly on the couch again!
Museum Putty
To keep your collectibles or home decorations in place even as your pets scurry around, use museum putty. Stick a small amount between the base of the item and the surface for a temporary bond. The great thing about this product is that it doesn’t leave a mark when you remove it. It’s a great way to safeguard your breakable belongings from energetic dogs or easily startled cats.
Modular Carpet Tiles
No matter how well-trained your pets are, accidents can still happen. With modular carpet tiles, you can just take out the dirty tile to have it cleaned or replaced. They’re eco-friendly and easy to install – just lay them flat onto the floor.
Microfiber Upholstery
Microfiber is durable and easy to clean, making it a popular choice among pet owners. The material itself is hair-resistant, so you just need to dust it off to clean it. It also features a tight weave that discourages felines from turning it into a scratching post.
Bed Fabrics
To protect your bed from pet hair and stains, cover it with washable fabrics. A thick pad can protect your mattress, while a duvet is great for bedspreads. Duvet covers can be taken off easily and washed regularly, which is less trouble than cleaning the bed itself. Avoid textured fabrics to prevent pet’s claws from getting caught in them, or fragile ones like silk and linen.
Take advantage of modern home décor items to help you maintain a safe environment for your pets, while adding style and comfort to your home and everyday living.
About Jennifer Lutz 
Jennifer Lutz is the home décor expert at www.christmastreemarket.com. Check our her advice on decorating for summer here.
Dr Jo says
What great tips from Jennifer. I especially like the one about museum putty or bluetac. Such as simple thing to do and so effective yet no one ever does it. Hopefully we’ll get some more seasonal styling tips from Jennifer in the future.
What was your favourite tip? Or do you have one of your own?
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These are some great tips. Particularly about the throw rugs. Also I wish I knew about microfibre upholstery before we bought a couch and then got a dog.
My fabric couch is ALWAYS covered in dog hair. Black fur isn’t so bad but fawn pug hair shows up on the dark grey fabric.
Thanks Jo
Great ideas , I will use throws on my furniture as one of our cats Vince is more keen on the arm of our couch than he is on his scratching pole