7 DIY & Pet-Friendly Home Renovation Tips
Image Credit: Pexels
7 DIY & Pet-Friendly Home Renovation Tips.
As the pandemic persists, pets have become a welcome resolve for loneliness and isolation. With a generous spike in adoption rates (1) — 34%, to be precise—pet parents who are also undergoing home renovations must design with their new and beloved canine in mind.
Fortunately, with the help of a cruelty-free & pet-friendly interior design consultant and ample research, incorporating your dog’s needs into your home design can be a piece of cake. Read on to learn more about how you can implement pet-centric fixtures for your home renovation.
1. Pick the Right Flooring
If you’ve been dreaming about elegant hardwood floors, you may want to set your sights on pet-friendlier materials. Despite its stunning appearance, hardwood floors won’t take well to clattering claws and muddy paw pads.
Instead, consider something like cork, which is naturally antimicrobial and boasts a stylish appearance. Another option is tile, which is famously easy to clean and comes in thousands of colors and patterns.
Other sustainable flooring options include bamboo, which is easy to maintain and resistant to wear and tear.
2. Incorporate Pet-Specific Furniture (and Protect Your Existing Ones)
There is no more costly mistake than forgetting to pet-proof your furniture. While the occasional mud print on your couch might be inevitable, investing in a high-quality and scratch-resistant sofa will help you out in the long run.
If you’re worried about your couch aging prematurely, consider a fashionable cover-up. Start with non-toxic and natural fabrics in case your dog is teething. Eco-friendly fabrics like hemp, linen, and cotton produce very little waste and are a stunning addition to your living room!
Alternatively, you can provide your pet with its own dedicated furniture. If you can’t quite keep your pup off the couch, there are hundreds of dog-sized sofas available on the market. You’ll even find other trendy variants such as chaise lounges and beanbags.
Nowadays, you won’t find any shortage of natural pet beds that are both sustainable and stylish. Some eco-forward brands even manufacture their products with recycled PET bottles and reinforced materials.
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3. Dedicate Individual Spaces for Your Pet
Dedicating a dog-centric space for your pet in each room can help reinforce boundaries. For instance, keeping a dog lounger in the living area serves a double purpose. You get to keep your dog off the expensive furniture while providing them with a space to unwind.
Similarly, dedicated spaces for eating in the dining area or kitchen can keep your dog from becoming disruptive while you prepare a meal. Maximize your existing storage by clearing out a nook in your kitchen to accommodate your dog’s feeding bowls.
If you and your dog are frequent adventurers, you can even create a mudroom after spending time outdoors!
These spaces are also beneficial for newly-adopted dogs. If your shelter dog has undergone some form of trauma or anxiety, having a space to call its own can provide a sense of relief and comfort.
4. Choose Colors Wisely
Contrary to popular belief, dark tones aren’t ideal for covering pet stains from muddy paws and accidents. Plus, light-colored fur will show up everywhere. However, brighter colors such as stark whites and tans don’t quite do the trick either.
If you’re going to carpet your home, opt for a color close to your dog’s fur—at least their shedding won’t be as noticeable. (Still, don’t forget to vacuum frequently!) Alternatively, pet owners with low-shed dogs who are more worried about stubborn stains can purchase multi-colored rugs. The same principle goes for other furniture like couches and footstools.
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5. Use Non-Toxic Cleaners
Since the beginning of the pandemic, cleaning agents have flown off supermarket shelves faster than ever before. Homeowners will know the horrors of realizing their go-to cleaner is no longer in stock.
However, commercially manufactured formulas can be a nightmare for pet owners, as these products are loaded with potentially hazardous ingredients. The good news is, many household materials make for excellent pet-safe cleaners. These include:
Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has impressive anti-fungal properties that are useful for eliminating mold. Not to mention, it’s also edible and completely non-toxic.
Hydrogen Peroxide: This mild, oxygen-based bleach has antiseptic properties that effectively destroy germs and remove stains. It is also a power odor eliminator.
Baking Soda: This milder form of salt does an excellent job of neutralizing odors and is an effective scrubbing agent for countertops.
Lemon Extract: Lemon juice is a pet-safe antibacterial and anti-fungal agent that provides the same stain-removing benefits as vinegar. You can use store-bought lemon juice to create a DIY cleaner.
Non-chemical cleaners pose fewer health risks and are easily recyclable, making it easier to keep your home pristine while giving back to the environment.
If you don’t have the time to create a formula using household ingredients, you can purchase these dog-safe cleaners from Vegan Design instead.
6. Decorate with Pet-Friendly Flora
If you live in a smaller space, maintaining houseplants can become challenging—even more so if you have a dog. Dogs are natural diggers, and a pot full of soil is a goldmine of fun (not so much for you!).
You can combat this problem by decorating your space with succulents! These smaller plants do well stored in unreachable places and are easy to maintain and keep away from your playful pup.
You’ll also be delighted to know there are dozens of plant species that are perfect for dogs. These include spider plants, rattlesnake plants, ferns, air plants, and violets. Not only are these plants an excellent way to add color to your home, but they also improve air quality, reduce stress, and boost productivity!
7. Spruce Up Your Backyard
If you’re tending to a garden, you’ll want to ensure it’s adequately fenced and suitable for your pet. Wood-slat and vinyl fences are an excellent option for pet owners with smaller dogs, while metal does a better job of keeping large dogs in.
Does your dog enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors? Why not build a dog house? Many modern dog houses are durable, weather-resistant, and even insulated. Plus, your dog can enjoy all the benefits of sunshine.
Alternatively, you can purchase an outdoor dog cushion or elevated bed.
Photo by Matthis Volquardsen from Pexels
BOTTOM LINE
When thoughtfully designed, home renovations can significantly improve your quality of life—why not extend that courtesy to your four-legged family member? Nowadays, there are many ways to pet-proof your home without compromising design—and these top tips and tricks for a pet-friendly home renovation can get you started.
With a little bit of guidance from a reliable interior design consultant, the help of an architect, and a lot of inspiration, you can achieve your—and your canine companion—dream home.
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About the Author: Mike is an animal advocate who believes in the right of animals to exist without the threats of abuse. He writes about his undying love for canines on Dog Embassy, a website that aims to provide information about dog nutrition, exercise, accessories, and more.
Sources: (1) Washington Post
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