Create a pet friendly home without sacrificing style with these easy tips.
Within 3 years of moving into our house, our family included not just my husband and myself, but two dogs and a cat. (The kids would come in another couple years, but that's a different story). As our four legged family members joined us, we had to figure out how to make our house pet friendly, functional, and still stylish. It took some work but in the end it's totally worth it to have a home everyone can enjoy!
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There is no denying that pets are a part of our family, but that doesn’t mean they are the easiest roommates. Whether you're dealing with too many toys, an unsightly crate, or trying to stash a 50 pound bag of dog food, keeping your home looking good with pets can be a challenge. Pet stuff isn’t always the most beautiful, but by adding a few things to your space can make your home more functional and stylish enough to accommodate both you and your furry companions.
A Pet Friendly Home that Doesn't Sacrifice Style
Choose a Bed that will Complement Your Decor
Your pet’s favorite place is probably their bed. Whatever style you’re going for in your home, find a comfortable and stylish bed that will go seamlessly with your home decor! Make sure the cushions are washable and still make your pet comfortable. Your pet should love their bed and feel comfortable lying in it.Cover the Crate
Crate training your dog is awesome (and I highly recommend it), but dog crates are definitely not attractive. If you're using a crate, consider a cover to make it less obtrusive, give it some style, and to make your dog feel even cozier inside.Be Strategic About Storing Pet Food
Pet food, bowls, and treats can take up a lot of space (especially with our three pets!) Look for a way to store their goodies in a creative fashion. Make a DIY treat jar for their cookies, and use a bowl stand to keep their dishes in place. You may also want to think about a washable rug or mat to put under their feeding area.If you don't have room to store your pet's food in a cabinet or pantry, consider a decorative pet food container that you can keep out on display. My mom gave us a super cute metal cat food container years ago and it looks good enough to stay out on our kitchen counter (you can see it here). Though I haven't seen one exactly like it, here are a few that are really similar and totally counter worthy too.
Stash Your Supplies in Style
How long does it take you to find your pet’s leash? If the answer isn’t immediately, it’s taking too long! Say goodbye to hunting down your pet’s leash when it's time for a walk. Make things easy by hanging your supplies by the door, and be sure to include a space to stash poop bags and wipes for their paws when they return. See how we included our pets when I reorganized our entryway here. And you can grab some free printable dog wall art that is perfect to add to your space!If your pets are anything like mine, they have way too many toys. And they love them the most when they are shredded and torn. Keep those yucky toys out of sight with a super cute toy box - you can even have it personalized to make it even more special!
Hide the Litter Box
If you have a cat, you have a litter box. This is one of the toughest pet necessities to deal with. If you can, try to stash the box in an out of the way spot, like the basement, a utility room, or even an unused closet. Use a pet door to allow your cat easy access. And if you can't hide the box away, keep it from becoming an eyesore with litter box furniture!
Choose Pet Friendly Materials
Nothing ruins a room quite like a pawprint on a nice white chair (or on white carpet like in our house. What were we thinking?). When choosing furniture and other household items, look for pet-friendly upholstery and avoid delicate fabrics such as silk or velvet. Whatever you choose make sure it’s durable and easy to clean. Or even better - use slipcovers and just toss them in the washing machine!Choose hard flooring materials whenever possible too, and follow these easy tips for keeping your floors clean with pets.
Sharing a home with pets doesn't mean sacrificing style or comfort. Following these tips will help you all enjoy your home for years to come!
Want more great ideas for life with your pets? Click here to browse my Pets section!
Sometimes, life with pets can get messy. Browse my favorite cleaning tips here.