By Shelby Deering | Photo by Shanna Wolf
Weave pets and their needs into your home’s design with these expert tips.
CABINET KENNELS
Morgan McMahon, a designer at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel, says that more clients are requesting kennels that are made to look like cabinetry or built into cabinetry. This does away with a stand-alone crate that can take up room and creates a seamless, and stylish, way “for your pet to have a safe space and for the owner to have a continuous design,” as McMahon says.
DESIGNATED STORAGE
McMahon says that one of the most effective ways to connect your pets to your home design is to create designated cabinetry in a kitchen or mudroom where you can store pet food, bowls and other supplies. Another handy touch that you can add nearby? McMahon suggests adding a pot filler above your pet’s water bowl to provide easy access to H2O. And don’t forget that you can add pull-out sliding shelves, bins or trays to your cabinets, things that McMahon says can create hidden pet food storage.
NATURAL RUGS
Katie Calnin, founder and principal designer of Calnin Design Studio, says that when you have a pet, natural rug materials are best. She says that wool is naturally stain-resistant, durable and protects against dust mites and allergens, for instance.
“It’s also very cozy and soft to curl up on while providing sound absorption for those clackity paw nails,” she says. Another option is a jute rug, which also offers durability and hides tracked-in dirt.
FURNITURE FABRICS
“When considering colors for your furniture, choose a palette that is similar to your pet’s hair so that it can be camouflaged in between vacuuming and cleaning,” Calnin advises. Additionally, she recommends going with pet-friendly performance materials that are designed to guard against stains, scratches, odors and wear and tear over time.
But, with that in mind, Calnin adds, “Always remember that nothing is indestructible and should be treated right away after a stain appears.”
CHIC RETREAT
Calnin says that it is possible to choose pet furniture that’s so stylish, you won’t have to compromise your home’s overall design.
“You can now purchase very stylish beds for pets in attractive patterns and colors that are cohesive with the rest of your color palette,” she says, adding, “You can also consider customizing a cushion and integrating it inside of a low bookshelf for a cozy and designated nook.”
PET-APPROVED PLANTS
Alina Poletskova, founder and CEO of Red Square Flowers, shares her top nontoxic plant picks.
Spider Plant
Poletskova says that these plants, which pose no threat to pups or kitties, are easy plants to care for and their attractive, slender leaves will add style to any space.
African Violet
Beloved for their “beautiful, vibrant blooms” and “soft, fuzzy leaves,” as Poletskova says, these pet-friendly flowers should be placed near a window or windowsill.
Prayer Plant
Calling it “eye-catching,” Poletskova says that the leaves of this non-toxic plant fold up at night, giving it its descriptive name.
