Pet Friendly Design Tips

With pets of their own at home, these five interior designers are well-versed in the art of designing a pet-friendly home. From flooring and furniture to paint finishes and feeding stations, they’re sharing their best design tips for creating a beautiful home that’s suited for four-legged family members.

Phyllis Lui of Kalu Interiors

“Flooring is a primary consideration when cohabiting with pets. Most important is the point of entry. Whether it is a back door, front door or garage door, flooring needs to be impervious. We like natural stone, but there are many affordable options today, from ceramic to porcelain tiles. On the main floor, hard-surface floors are most desirable. We like using wire-brushed hardwood floors because they hide potential scratching from the nails but overall wear well and are very forgiving.

“Choose low-pile, tightly-woven carpet and area rugs, and avoid white or very light colors to minimize staining potential. You’ll also want to avoid any dark colors if your pet has light hair. Always look to add area rugs to cover flooring in key areas. Area rugs keep furry friends happy and comfortable, but make sure to have a pattern to help hide any accidents. Consider the habits of your pets. Where do they most like to go to sleep or spend time? Perhaps your pet is a window watcher, like our pooch. We look to find places he can safely sit without breaking items or ruining the backs of furniture. Tight back design of chairs and couches is a much safer option for them if you allow this activity.”Images courtesy of Kalu Interiors

Andrea Colman of Fine Finishes Design

“As an official dog lover with two of my own, I can attest that selecting the right fabrics and finishes in your home is important. Velvets and chenilles attract and tend to hold on to hair and fur. Opt for smoother fabrics. Investing in fabrics with finishes like Crypton or Sunbrella Indoor/Outdoor are fantastic options for furniture. Consider the color of your pet when designing. Select colors that won’t emphasize your four-legged friends’ fur between cleanings. Small patterns or variations in color are perfect for this too. For walls, the best paint finish is eggshell. It still has a relatively low sheen but high scrubbability, which will keep your walls looking fresher longer.”Images courtesy of Fine Finishes Design

Sara Bederman of Sara Bederman Design

“When designing a foyer or mudroom, I always try to select finishes that are durable and eco-friendly. This is most important when you have a furry family member who comes in with muddy paws. An entry area that has storage for leashes, toys, and food is a bonus when you have a pet. Customize your cabinets to organize your and your pets’ necessities to make for a functional space. Hooks for easy storage, low cabinets to hold big food bags, and a nook for dog dishes are some ideas. Keeping the food bowls in the mudroom is the perfect spot to keep them tucked away and makes for an easy cleanup.”

“If you are doing a reno like a kitchen, mudroom, or laundry room, don’t forget to integrate items for your pet. Build in or plan to add a food and water bowl station that uses leftover materials or complementary materials either into your island, or hide it in a toe-kick drawer.”

 Images courtesy of Sara Bederman Design

Eugenia Triandos of Hibou Design & Co.

“When looking for soft upholstery with pets in mind consider using slip covers over your key furniture pieces. Fabrics naturally just always attract the pet hair and leathers are keen to quickly get damaged and scratched. Looking for something that is washable is a great idea to have in your home when you have four-legged friends. At our home, we have slipcovered armchairs and have slip covered our bed frame, and I love that I can throw it in the washing machine whenever needed. Slipcovers work far beyond that cottage chic look and now are used often in contemporary settings to provide a clean, contemporary vibe when used with the right fabric selections.”