3 minute read.
Your pet is part of the family, but that doesn’t mean your home needs to look like a pet store exploded. Great design isn’t about compromise, it’s about integration. With thoughtful planning, you can create a space that keeps your pet comfortable and your home stylish. Here are five practical, polished interior design tips for creating a pet-friendly home that still turns heads:
Let’s be honest—fur, claws, and drool aren’t exactly best friends with delicate upholstery. But that doesn’t mean you need to cover everything in dark, dull fabrics.
Design Fix: Invest in high-performance materials like crypton, microfiber, or canvas blends—they’re stain-resistant, easy to clean, and can handle the daily wear-and-tear of paws and tails. Leather is also a great choice as it wipes clean and gains a patina over time. Want softness without the stress? Look for pet-safe velvet or outdoor-grade upholstery with a luxe finish.
Your floors are the frontline. Scratches, spills, muddy paws—everything ends up down there. The key is picking materials that can handle it all without sacrificing elegance.
Design Fix: Go for luxury vinyl planks, sealed hardwood, or textured porcelain tiles. These options are easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and available in beautiful finishes that mimic stone or timber. If you love rugs, stick to low-pile, machine-washable ones in patterns that hide fur and stains. Bonus tip: place rugs near pet entry points to catch dirt before it spreads.
Pet beds, crates, litter boxes—they’re necessary, but often an eyesore. With a bit of planning, these can be incorporated into your layout without disrupting your aesthetic.
Design Fix: Consider built-in pet nooks beneath staircases or kitchen counters, or custom cabinetry with crate spaces that double as console tables. Match your pet’s furniture—beds, feeders, storage bins—to your home’s palette for a unified look. Think rattan beds for boho homes, minimal wood grain for modern spaces, or soft boucle for a Scandinavian vibe.
Textiles soften a space—but with pets, they need to be more than decorative. Layers like throws and runners help protect your furniture, hide fur, and allow you to refresh the look easily.
Design Fix: Drape a washable throw blanket over your pet’s favorite nap spot or use cotton slipcovers for sofas to keep things clean without sacrificing comfort. Introduce layered textures like jute mats, twill cushions, and knit poufs that add dimension while standing up to daily use.
Pet life comes with gear—leashes, treats, grooming tools, toys. Leaving them out clutters your space fast. Thoughtful storage is the secret to a tidy, elegant home.
Design Fix: Include entryway drawers or bench seating with built-in storage for walk-time gear. Use wicker baskets or slide-out bins near your pet’s eating area to store food and treats. Want to level up? Add a pull-out feeding station or hidden litter drawer into your cabinetry. These tweaks keep things organized while giving your pet dedicated space.
A pet-friendly home doesn’t have to feel like a compromise—it can feel like comfort, character, and good design coexisting. When you plan with both purpose and personality, you create a space that not only welcomes your pet, but also reflects your style.
Because great design isn’t just about what looks good—it’s about what lives well.
