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If you are a pet parent but still love pretty home decor and furniture, these items can make your life much easier! Having a pet doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice style. With the right products, you can maintain a beautiful and functional home.
Whether you’re a first time pet owner or have had your furry best friend for years, these recommendations will help keep your home clean and stylish.
What Does “Pet Friendly Home” Mean?
A “pet-friendly home” is simply a space that’s designed to make life easier for both you and your pets.
This means choosing furniture, rugs, and decor that can handle pet hair, scratches, and messes without much fuss.
It’s about having easy to clean materials, a spot for pet toys, and maybe even some safety measures like gates or pet safe plants. The idea is to keep your home looking nice while making it comfortable and practical for your pets.
How to Create a Stylish Pet Friendly Home
As a golden retriever owner, I’ve found certain items invaluable, especially when it comes to managing pet hair and messes.
One of the best upgrades we made to our home was replacing the carpet with luxury vinyl flooring. We chose Shaw’s Polaris Plus line in Oceanfront, and the difference in durability and ease of cleaning has been a game changer. Whether it’s muddy paws or shedding fur, the LVP flooring handles it all with ease!
While this post is focused on what I’ve used or would recommend for dogs, many of these tips work for other pets, too. Plus, whether you have large or small dogs, these tips apply to you.
1. Machine Washable Pillow Covers
I honestly had no idea that machine washable pillow covers were a thing until a few years ago, and they’ve been a total game changer for our living room couch!
Removable covers are already great, but being able to toss them in the wash has saved me so much time and effort.
It’s been amazing to keep the pillows looking fresh, especially with pets around!
Emma Stripe Soft Blue and Green Pillow Covers
I own and love this pillow cover. These are very durable and I’ve washed them several times with no fading or shrinking.
2. Performance Fabric on Furniture
Investing in performance fabric furniture has been one of the best decisions for our pet friendly home. Performance fabric is durable, easy to clean, and perfect for pet owners who love to snuggle with their furry friends on the couch.
Unfortunately, I do not have a link for my sectional. It was purchased from Atlantic Bedding & Furniture in 2021. But, it sold me on performance fabric and I am here to tell you it is so worth it if you like to snuggle with your pets on the couch.
It’s easy to clean (we spray any dirt or stains with Folex) and we use our upholstery cleaner every 4-6 months to keep it looking good. We occasionally use a fabric shaver to remove any fuzz, but for the most part, it has been easy to maintain. Our dog (and I) have taken a lot of naps on it!
3. My Beloved Air Purifier
I can’t believe we waited until 2023 to get an air purifier! Now, we have one in the living room and bedroom, and I can honestly say I didn’t realize how much it would improve the air quality until it was up and running.
It’s not just about dust and allergens. It has helped with pet smells I hadn’t even noticed. While it takes up a bit of space, it’s quiet, easy to clean, and app-controlled.
Sciaire + HEPA Air Purifier
This has been a very functional addition to our pet friendly home.
4. Machine Washable Floor Rugs
Rugs can be a challenge with pets, but machine washable rugs are a game changer. We don’t have many rugs in our home, but we do have a washable runner in the kitchen, and it’s been incredibly easy to keep clean in such a high traffic area.
You could style these in the laundry room, game room, kitchen, or den.
Gray Malin Palm Beach Powder Blue Rug
Isn’t this a pretty rug? You’d never believe it’s totally machine washable!
If we get another rug for our living room, I’m eyeing a washable one from Ruggable. The ability to toss it in the washer whenever needed has been so convenient, especially in pet-friendly homes.
5. Sofa Covers for Younger Dogs
When our dog was younger, I always worried about accidents on the furniture. Sofa covers were a lifesaver during that time, giving me peace of mind without sacrificing comfort.
Waterproof Sofa Dog Bed Cover
Even though I don’t use this as much now, it’s great to have on hand, just in case.
They’re useful if you have a puppy or a younger dog who might have accidents.
6. Chic Toy Baskets
I wish I had known about lidded baskets for dog toys sooner! They’re not only functional but also stylish. I can fit so much more in these baskets, and with the lid on, you’d never know they were filled with toys.
There is plenty of room for all of their toys. You could also use one for pet food or dog treats and store it in the pantry.
They seamlessly blend with my decor and I love that they keep everything tidy. I picked up a few from HomeGoods, but you can find similar ones online that look just as great.
Olivia Beige Seagrass Baskets w/Lids (Set of 3)
These look almost identical to the one I found at HomeGoods a while ago. They would be a great addition to your decor and storage!
7. Faux Flowers instead of Live Plants
With pets, I feel much more comfortable opting for faux flowers and plants, especially in spots that are easy for my dog to reach.
One of my favorites is these faux hydrangeas that look incredibly real, and the best part is, there’s no need to replace them or worry about toxic plants.
Faux Hydrangeas
Try adding these to any type of vase. Whether it’s a simple round vase or a more intricate ginger jar, the hydrangeas look so fresh and clean.
They add the same pop of color and beauty without maintenance or risk. The whole family loves these!
8. Most Used Pet Hair Remover
My go to lint remover has become an essential for pet hair cleanup. I use it every other day on our couch, and it cuts down the amount of vacuuming we need to do.
It’s one of my top tips for cleaning rugs, too. It pulls the dog hair right up!
The more I use it, the less pet hair builds up on the cushions, meaning we only need to vacuum every few months or when it’s time to use the upholstery cleaner.
Reusable Lint Roller
If you only get one thing, get this! It saves so much time vacuuming.
It’s made keeping the couch hair free so much easier! If your canine companion sheds a lot, this is a must.
9. Waffle Weave Blankets
If your pet loves to sleep on the bed, I highly recommend a waffle weave blanket. We tried fleece and pet specific blankets, but they didn’t work as well for us.
The waffle weave has been durable and easy to wash. We use it on top of our comforter to minimize dirt and pet hair.
I fold this blanket up on our upholstered bed so that it looks more decorative (how it is in the picture above) which is another thing I love about it! It was much harder to disguise my fleece blankets and pet blankets as decor in the comforts of home.
Cotton Waffle Weave Blanket
This blanket is super easy to wash and very comfortable.
10. Functional Pet Gates
While baby gates can do the trick, I prefer pet gates that blend more seamlessly with the decor. This one looks more like a piece of furniture than a traditional gate, making it a more stylish option.
Psalm Springs Wood Free Standing Gate
How cute is this dog gate?
It’s functional without being an eyesore and it works just as well for keeping pets out of certain areas of the home.
Especially if you don’t have a fenced-in yard, you may find it helpful to have certain areas of the home designated for your dog with easy access.
11. Beautiful Dog Beds
Don’t underestimate an aesthetically pleasing dog bed! It can make a huge difference in an open concept space, like a living room.
Jax & Bones Dog Pillow Bed
Don’t forget to add a name or monogram to this one! Available in sizes for big dogs and small dog breeds.
There are so many cute ones online! This one is from Mark & Graham and you can customize it. Finding a dog bed that’s both functional and beautiful can be tricky, but it’s possible!
Conclusion
Creating a pet-friendly home doesn’t mean sacrificing style or comfort. With the right products, from machine washable pillow covers to performance fabric furniture, you can enjoy a clean, cozy space while keeping your pets happy.
Small changes, like using faux flowers instead of live plants and investing in chic toy baskets, make a big difference in keeping things tidy and beautiful.
Whether you’re embracing washable rugs or looking for the perfect pet gate, these tips will help you maintain a stylish, functional home that’s perfect for both you and your furry friends.
