PET FRIENDLY FURNITURE AND DECORATING TIPS FOR PET LOVERS

Although here at SOLife we love our pets, the reality is that some furniture just doesn’t last with furry friends.

Here are some suggestions and tips to keep in mind when buying furniture:

#1- Stay away from fabrics that are susceptible to dog paws and cat claws and their hair (e.g. silk, cotton, velvet, wool, chenille, tweed..).

Instead, choose ultra-suede, leather or performance upholstery. I personally love to use outdoor fabric to upholster indoor furniture because of its durability and washability. Restoration Hardware has a fantastic line of Perennials fabrics great for outdoors and indoors and it’s my favorite (check it at www.restorationhardware.com). Sunbrella and Crypton are brands that offer performance upholstery as well.

Leather is great too because it’s resistant to odor and doesn’t attract pet hair, and hair is easily wiped off with a dust cloth. The problem with leather is that it can scratch, so make sure you keep a scratching post close by and opt for distressed leather so that eventual scratches will blend right in.

#2- Fabrics with patterns are great because patterns help camouflage hair.

#3- Choose hard surface floors.

Although hardwood floors are great because they are easy to clean and add warmth, they can get scratched. This makes ceramic tiles the best flooring material for pets, although not as appealing as hardwood.

#4- Look for pet beds, accessories and toys that blend into your décor and color scheme. Minimize the attention draw by placing them into a corner and storing them into baskets or incorporate them into the furniture like built-ins. Also, make sure the litter box is not the focal point of your room (put it in a closet or in the basement).

If you have pets and want to share your favorite tips to keep your house still design friendly, please we would love to hear your comments!