Pet-Friendly Decorating Ideas

When you have pets, decorating ends up being a bit more challenging. You have to contend with fur, potty accidents, claws, and camouflaging a bunch of pet supplies. Pet parents think they’re stuck with limited choices because they have to praise practical over pretty. However, pet-friendly decorating doesn’t have to be boring.

Start with pet-friendly materials for walls, floors, furniture, doors, and windows to build a solid foundation for the rest of your design. Create dedicated pet zones that camouflage bedding, litter boxes, dishes, and toys. Choose smart storage that hides things without making them inaccessible to your pet. Always keep safety in mind, and apply these principles to holiday decorating, too.

Although there’s a common misconception that having pets means you need to maintain a strictly utilitarian design, that’s not the case. You don’t have to choose between practical and stylish; you can have both. You just need to be thoughtful when decorating with pets.

Start With Materials That Handle Real Life

The first step when you’re decorating with pets in mind is to choose hardy materials that can withstand repeated wear and tear. Don’t jump on the latest trend (unless it happens to be a pet-friendly one). Instead, focus on timeless materials that can handle a busy life with pets.

Fabrics that hide hair, minor messes, and scratches without feeling pet-proof include leather, tightly-woven textiles, and performance fabrics. Nowadays, there are so many options available, it’s easier than ever to choose stylish pieces that wear well.

It may take a bit more time to choose your pieces in the beginning. However, doing your due diligence upfront saves you a lot of long-term frustration (not to mention money). You’ll end up with pieces that can stand the test of time instead of things you need to replace within a few months.

Flooring And Rugs That Look Good And Work Well With Pets

Choose flooring finishes that forgive scratches and stains and are easy to clean. Hard surfaces like luxury vinyl plank (LVP), tile, and sealed hardwood are great pet-friendly options. These materials are durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to maintain, making them excellent matches for muddy paws or accidents.

For rugs, opt for low-pile or flatweave styles that won’t trap fur. They’re also easy to vacuum. Washable rugs are superb picks for homes with pets, since you can just toss them into the wash when things get messy.

If you’re stuck with existing floors that aren’t very pet-friendly, covering them with pet-proof rugs is a good compromise. You can protect your floors while making life easier for you and more comfortable for your fur babies.

Furniture Choices That Are Best For A Home With Pets

When you live with pets, choosing the right furniture becomes critical. You want your things to look good, but they also need to resist stains and claws. Don’t worry, you don’t have to resign yourself to throwing furniture protectors, towels, and pet blankets over all of your stuff.

Instead, choose pieces that look good over time and age well. Leather is a classic that develops a handsome patina over the years. It’s also easy to wipe clean and repels pet hair. If you prefer fabrics, choose tightly-woven textiles like microfiber or even outdoor performance fabrics. The tighter weave doesn’t hang onto pet hair as much, and it’s also more resistant to scratching.

When possible, look for furniture that features removable, washable covers or consider slipcovers. Also, darker, patterned fabrics hide pet hair and messes well, making them look better in between cleanings. Solid wood or metal frames are sturdier (and easier to clean), so keep this in mind if you have large dogs. Heavier pieces with strong legs can hold up better against roughhousing, bigger bodies, and more weight.

Walls, Windows, And Doors

Durable paint finishes and protecting lower wall areas and trim are other things to consider when decorating with pets. Wall panels, wainscoting, and reinforced trim help add protection in high-traffic zones. Kickplates on the bottom of exterior doors work wonders to prevent scratch damage and can add an upgraded look.

Choose washable or durable paint finishes, like satin or semi-gloss, that resist scuffs and wipe clean easily from wet-noses and muddy paws. Durable enamel paints are good options for window and door trim. To keep window treatments looking and feeling fresh, choose machine-washable options or go with faux wood blinds or cordless shades. (Cordless are safer for curious pets that could get tangled.)

You could also try interior window film that helps add protection while diffusing light without blocking it. These choices keep your home looking fresh while standing up to everyday life with pets.

Design Dedicated Pet Zones That Blend In

Once you have a solid, pet-friendly foundation for your design, thanks to smart material choices, you need to consider your pet’s belongings. The fact is, your pet needs certain things, and the bowls, squeaky toys, and pet bedding don’t always go with your design plan. Create dedicated zones for your pet that include their stuff and give them a special place to retreat to as needed. Focus on making pet zones feel intentional instead of like an afterthought. 

Do this by including your pet’s stuff in your design plan from the beginning, so it incorporates well. In other words, don’t simply toss your pet’s stuff on top of your design. Plus, having designated pet zones helps keep the rest of your home feeling calmer and cleaner. It also gives your pets a place to escape to if things get stressful for them, like plenty of company or firework celebrations.

Use Smart Storage Solutions For Pet Stuff

Choose storage solutions that work with your style instead of fighting against it. For example, keep your pup’s toys in a pretty woven basket that fits your mid-century modern vibe instead of the kitschy bin from PetSmart with a giant bone on it. Utilize built-ins and cabinet hacks to convert certain furniture and architectural features into pet spaces. Get creative. For example, create a pet retreat under the stairs or hide a litter box inside an end table. You can do similar things with pet beds, crates, and food stations.

Make Pet Safety Part Of The Design Plan

When you decorate a home with pets, you need to think about safety in a whole new way. You need to get on your pet’s level, sometimes literally, and see things from their perspective. It’s almost like baby-proofing a home.

When pet-proofing your house, choose stable furniture, secure high pieces and anything that could topple over, and be wary of accessories that pose hazards (like tipping, breaking, or crushing). Other key points are to tie up cords (both the window treatment ones and cables and wires), and use non-slip pads under rugs so your fur baby doesn’t slip and slide. If you plan to add fresh greenery or flowers to your home when decorating, choose pet-safe plants.

Likewise, avoid decorating with potpourri that could entice pets to take a bite. Candles are another possible threat thanks to their open flames. Place decor at higher levels when necessary or secure it in place.

Look At Low-Maintenance As A Design Strategy, Not A Compromise

Creating a pet-friendly home doesn’t mean you have to give up on your decorating dreams. Instead, reframe your mindset to view low-maintenance as one of the qualities on your design checklist. As mentioned previously, easy-to-clean surfaces, washable textiles, and durable materials are a must. You also need to think about furniture placement and how accessible certain areas are to your pets.

Arranging things in a particular way can dissuade pets from going into rooms or spots you don’t want them to without putting up baby gates. The right flow also makes it easier for people and pets to move about, which decreases the likelihood of knocked-over decor. Think of it as a design strategy instead of giving up on having a stylish home. You just need to be intentional with each choice, even the seemingly small ones.

Holiday Decorating With Pets

Decorating with pets for everyday life is one thing, but what about when the holidays roll around? You get to contend with a whole new set of design challenges, but honestly, they’re pretty similar to the usual concerns, just with a seasonal touch.

The Christmas Tree

Think of the Christmas tree as an extra piece of furniture you need to place, temporarily. You still need to think about flow, securing a tall piece so it doesn’t topple, and paying attention to extra accessories. If it’s a real tree, you also need to keep up with any dropped needles and the tree water, both of which pose potential holiday hazards to pets.

Other Holiday Decorations

The holidays tend to bring extra plants and flowers into the home, so make sure they’re all pet-friendly. Garland is just another type of cord that can lead to tangles and choking, so keep it secure or skip it for something that can’t get wrapped around your pet. The same goes for things like ribbon and tinsel.

Choose shatterproof ornaments and holiday decor, washable fabrics, and battery-operated candles. Place pieces out of your pet's reach. For cats that like to jump, consider securing certain pieces with double-sided tape or a similar device, but still make sure to keep them unbreakable.

Style Still Matters: Making Pet-Friendly Design Feel Personal

It’s possible to translate your design style into pet-friendly choices that still look and feel comfortable, inviting, and aesthetically appealing. Whether your style is modern, traditional, or something in between, you can get there while still keeping things safe for your furry friends.

Pet-friendly homes don’t have to be all neutral or feel bland. Reframe how you approach decorating with pets to view it as an intentional, smart, livable design plan. Design for longevity instead of worrying about Pinterest-perfection, and apply the same concepts to your seasonal decorating. Remember, good design seamlessly blends form and function, which means your home needs to function well for everyone who lives in it. This includes your four-legged family members.

Related Guides:

• Tips For Blending Pet Zones Into Your Design Scheme
• Eight Ways To Keep Your Pets Off Furniture
• Nine Pet-Safe Holiday Plants (And Ones To Avoid)