Dogified Design: Make Your Home Pet-Friendly Without Compromising on Aesthetics

Are you welcoming a new furry friend into your family? Or maybe you’re looking to accommodate a senior pet? But how can we make sure our pets are happy and healthy while also keeping the style and aesthetic of our choice? 

Whatever your query, balancing style with pet-friendly features is possible with thoughtful design choices. In this article, we explore some options to bring more harmony into your home and that fit a range of styles without sacrificing your dog’s needs. From pet-friendly upholstery, white PVC fencing for dog-safe boundary fences, and durable, scratch-resistant flooring for your home’s interiors, we’ll provide small changes that can withstand pet (and human) use whilst maintaining visual appeal. 

Install Durable Flooring

From galavanting around, running to greet you at the door to eating their meals, the ground is where your pet will spend most of their time. Starting from the foundation and building up, durable flooring comes in many different styles and is a must-have for a family with pets. Usual foot traffic can create wear over time, but it is significantly increased when you have four-legged friends. Even with pups that have well-manicured paws, there is still the chance of scratching due to stress or late-night zoomies. 

Using a scratch-resistant material can give your floors a longer life whilst also ensuring cosmetic damage is minimal. You can keep your house alive with pet curiosity while protecting your floors by opting for vinyl, tile or a laminate floor. These are the best options for preventing scratches, but if you do want to use natural flooring such as wood, be sure it is sealed and maintained properly. 

Selecting a more durable material for your flooring will also mean it’ll be easier to avoid lingering odours or stains, making cleaning up a breeze. If you do feel the need to give your space dimension or warmth, a washable rug is a great investment providing protection and style. And if an accident occurs, you can just pop it in the wash without a fuss. 

The same issue is even more of a concern for the outside areas if you have decking, where pets are free to play as animalistic as they like. Choosing something like Trex composite decking instead of traditional timber decking is a great way to go. The composite material is much more scratch-resistant than wood and it will prolong the life of the decking and maintain a stylish look while your pets run a muck across it.

Invest in Pet-Friendly Furniture

If you’re the kind of pet owner who has the willpower to forbid your pets from using the furniture, feel free to skip this section. For the rest of us rubber-arm canine lovers, it can be hard to resist those puppy dog eyes. If you’ve ever let your dog onto the couch, or if you have a dog who is a bit of a slobberer, you already know the horror of unidentifiable stains and how hard it is to get rid of that lingering smell. 

When it comes to selecting furniture, opt for a solid base with durable and non-absorbent upholstery, such as a leather couch. This option is ideal as it will make clean-ups easy and ensure your furniture can withstand a good old cuddle. But if your style calls for a softer look, fabric and plush furniture should be protected with a water-resistant covering. This will protect the inner lining and stuffing from absorbing any odours. Remember to use bicarbonate soda for odour elimination, and it doesn’t hurt to have a wet and dry vacuum available either. 

For a more budget-friendly option, you can purchase a seat cover and keep it on one side of the couch, dedicating the spot to your beloved pooch.

Maintain Practical Outdoor Spaces

Securing your outdoor spaces so your pet can frolic in safety is a legal requirement when owning a dog in most Australian states. It’s important to have a boundary wherein a dog is free to be a dog without sacrificing your own peace of mind. However, some dogs’ exploration drive knows no bounds, and it isn’t uncommon for dogs to jump upon, dig under or even chew on their fencing, or to investigate areas where outside prey like snakes may live. This can create a hassle for pet owners who are trying to strike a balance between safety and style. 

When it comes to fencing, selecting something that is both durable and aesthetic is often a struggle. Usually, timber fences degrade quickly, with larger breed dogs often getting excited and jumping upon them. Even the classic steel fences have been known to crumble under the weight of a determined pup. For this reason, we’d suggest using PVC fencing and styling your yard around it. This option stands the greatest chance of upholding your lawn boundary and can be a backdrop to additional landscape styling choices where you can let your artistic side flourish. Adding some pet-safe plants will bring life into your garden and also provide some shade for your pet as the warmer months set in.

Adopting a Pet-Loving Aesthetic for your Abode

These design tips and tricks can help provide you with a way to maintain and care for your pet without sacrificing your style. Although it’s not feasible for everyone to invest in new flooring during cost-of-living hardship, smaller steps can still go a long way. There is a balancing act to allow you and your animals to coexist safely and comfortably. 

Bringing a pet into your life is a huge shift and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. While some of the more pet-friendly options might not fit into your preferred aesthetic, shifting your tastes to ensure you’re providing the best for your companion is perhaps the best look of all.