Anyone who’s ever had a pet knows the joy and companionship they bring to a home. But at the same time, you’re probably aware of some of the negatives, too- they’re messy. Maybe not as messy as kids, but they’re still messy. In fact, most pets (especially cats and dogs) can also bring messes like accidents, stains, odors, and a distinct “lived-in” look that might not always align with your home decor aspirations.
When you look at homes on Instagram or even in magazines like Martha Stewart, they look so clean, fresh, and picture-perfect. Sometimes, you’ll see an animal in these photos or videos, and you question how the home can stay perfect, right? How do they do it? These homes have pets, yet their home doesn’t look too lived in. Well, these pet owners are able to achieve a bit of a balance. So, here’s exactly what our guest author thinks you’ll need to know!
Choose Pet-Friendly Materials that Look Great
It’s all going to be right in the furniture, so with that said, when selecting furniture, it’s best to opt for materials that stand the test of pet wear and tear but also look chic. Leather or pleather, for instance, can be an excellent choice for couches and chairs as they are easier to clean and don’t hold onto pet hair. Most furniture fabrics hold onto it, which is far from being a look good. Similarly, microfiber is also a fantastic option as it’s durable and resistant to scratches.
While sure, you could always consider a pet hair remover tool to remove the pet hair (which is totally fine), if you just want to stay low maintenance, then it’s best to stick with materials (like leather) that are drastically easier to clean up. The other alternative is having blankets and sheets all over your furniture, and to a degree, this could be a decent look, but it’s not exactly the best idea either.
Look into Pet-Friendly Furniture
If you look at furniture from the early 2000s and prior, you’re not really going to find furniture that’s pet-friendly. Specifically, furniture that’s ideal for pets. Nowadays, pet hair remover tool is hopping on the bandwagon. Pet furniture and human furniture used to always be separated, but now they’re finally morphing. So, you can see this as a good thing!
For example, these are pieces of furniture that doubles as pet accessories, like ottomans with built-in spaces for cat beds or end tables that hide litter boxes. These pieces keep pet areas discreet and maintain the aesthetic of your home. You can find these all over Amazon, and there is pet-specific furniture nowadays that looks very stylish and modern, too (mostly with a big price tag). But regardless, these are things that you might really want to consider.
Consider High-Quality Pet Beds
Instead of letting your pets lounge on your furniture, buy attractive, high-quality pet beds that match your decor. So, what this means is placing plush, stylish beds in their favorite spots around the house, which will not only keep your pets cozy but also prevent fur and pet dander from accumulating on your sofas and chairs.
Regular Grooming is a Must
So, as a pet owner, you really have to keep in mind that one of the best ways to reduce pet hair and dander around the house is by keeping your pets well-groomed. Yes, you might have to go a bit above and beyond, but regular brushing and baths for dogs and frequent brushing for cats will significantly reduce the amount of hair that ends up on your floors and furniture. It might also help (especially if you’re completely lost) to just consider professional grooming services; you should especially look into this if you find it challenging to keep up with the grooming demands.
Neutralize Pet Odors
Another thing you have to keep in mind is that your home needs to smell fresh; pet odor is a thing, and it can wreak. But what exactly can you do? Well, you’ll need to invest in a good quality air purifier to help remove pet dander, hair, and odor from the air. While this will help a lot, it’s still going to be best to go beyond that, too, such as using enzyme cleaners for any accidents, as they effectively break down odors and stains at the molecular level.
Also, while you’re at it, why not consider incorporating aromatic elements like scented candles or essential oil diffusers? These can keep your home smelling pleasant- just make sure they are safe for pets. Alright, as you can see, there’s a bit of work into doing all of this, but it’s definitely for the best.
Strategic Storage Solutions
Just like kids, pets definitely have a thing for causing clutter, right? In fact, they can cause some clutter (especially in living rooms). So, what you’ll want to do to avoid the clutter of pet toys would be just to have specific, stylish storage solutions. For example, you can use decorative baskets or bins to store pet toys when they are not in use. As you might have already guessed, this not only keeps your space tidy but also allows easy access when it’s playtime, helping to keep your pet’s belongings from becoming permanent fixtures on your living room floor.
Pet Accessories that Blend in with Your Decor
One of the best ways to make your home stylish, but still super pet friendly is honestly as simple as just choosing pet accessories that blend with your home decor. For example, rather than standard plastic bowls for food and water, opt for ceramic or stainless steel in colors that match your kitchen or utility room. Likewise, consider upgrading from a basic cat tree to a more elegant and modern version that complements your interior style.
Routine Cleaning Will Be Needed
You really need to keep in mind that having pets means staying on top of cleaning, more so than you might otherwise. This is exactly why it’s best to just invest in a good vacuum cleaner designed to handle pet hair and use it regularly on furniture, rugs, and floors. Actually, this isn’t going to be enough because you’re also going to want to look into buying a steam cleaner for floors and upholstery ( seriously, this can be a game changer). But in general, in order to have that fresh and clean feel in your home, you’ll need to have some deep cleaners fairly often.