How to Arrange Interior When You Have Pets

1. Planning a Space for Your Dog

The ideal spot for your dog should be placed in a corner of one of the rooms or in the hallway. Observe where your pet likes to lie and set up a resting place there, placing a small mattress or rug. Choose them considering the color of the existing furniture upholstery. If your dog likes to stay in a 'house,' build a den from an overturned box or sideboard, covered with fabric. An interesting idea is to use a bedside table for this purpose. Remember that the area for your four-legged friend should be away from heating appliances and protected from drafts.

2. Setting Up Feeding Areas

The perfect place for pet bowls is the kitchen, spacious bathroom, hallway, or warm balcony. Place a small rubber mat on the floor to protect the flooring from droplets and splashes. A good idea is to install built-in compartments with bowls in the cabinet: this way, they won't slip and won't take up much space. The height of the stand should depend on the dog's size. Also, set aside a place for storing pet food.

3. Creating a Rest and Play Area for Your Cat

Naturally, pets will enjoy resting on the owner's sofa or armchair, but is that the best solution? Setting up a cozy nook for your cat without compromising the beauty of the interior is now easy. Modern designers consider the needs of four-legged companions and create stylish cat houses, scratching posts, and entire 'living' complexes. There are even sofas with additional zones and niches for pets. Pay attention to items that combine play elements and resting areas.

4. Considering Pet Hygiene

Pet hygiene is one of the most important aspects that pet owners should think about. While it's somewhat easier with dogs (most breeds prefer walking outdoors), cats require a specially designated area and must be integrated into the interior. The cat litter box can be placed in the bathroom or hallway. Plastic boxes should be camouflaged by placing them inside a cabinet or shelf, making holes for the pet to enter. One disadvantage of placing the cat litter box in the bathroom is that the room must remain open constantly. If you're willing to sacrifice the integrity of the door to avoid this, you can cut a small opening in it.

5. Choosing Flooring

When planning renovations in apartments and houses with pets, it's essential to carefully choose finishing materials. For example, floor covering should be warm, durable, and easy to maintain. The advantage of tiles is that they're easy to clean, but dogs' paws can slip on them, which poses a risk of falls. Also, tiles are cold unless you use radiant floor heating technology. An economical choice is laminate. It's simple to install, but dogs may claw on it, producing irritating sounds. The best solution is high-quality parquet laid on thermal insulation underlayment.

6. Selecting Fabrics

When adapting the interior to pets, keep in mind that fur will fly onto all carpets and sofas. Pay special attention to the fabric choice for upholstery; it should have a special coating that protects your furniture from tangles, tears, and stains. For homes with pets, it's better to choose dense rough leather, sennit, or hard jacquard. When choosing a carpet, prefer the short pile option that's easier to maintain.