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Creating a Pet-Friendly Home: Design Tips and Tricks

September 22, 2025 by Michael Ferris

home design friendly creating tricks

A whimsically surreal living room, filled with a harmonious blend of human and pet-friendly elements. The room has a warm and inviting color scheme, with walls painted in soft white, using pet-friendly, low-VOC paint. The flooring is made of durable, scratch-resistant hardwood, gleaming under the soft ambient light. There is a unique leather couch at the center, with a built-in pet bed seamlessly incorporated into one end, a tightly woven throw blanket tossed casually over its back. Close by, a stylish, multi-tiered cat tree stands, replacing a traditional side table, with a cat lazily stretched out on one of its platforms. In one corner, a pet-friendly room is visible, with a special pet door installed for unrestricted yet safe access to the outdoors. The room is furnished with a cat climbing post and a scratching pad, designed to blend with the home decor. The kitchen area can be seen in the background, featuring a built-in feeding station as part of the modern kitchen island. The countertops are made of easy-to-clean, stain-resistant material, with a pet-safe plant adding a touch of greenery. An organized storage unit is visible, filled with pet supplies like food, toys, and grooming tools. The entire scene is designed to break the pattern of a traditional home, instead presenting an exciting, strange yet enticing image of a truly pet-friendly home

Ensure your living space accommodates all family members, including pets.

As pet owners, we all want our furry friends to feel comfortable and safe in our homes. However, creating a space that's both stylish and pet-friendly can be a challenge. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore various pet-friendly home design ideas and tips for creating a pet-friendly home that will keep both you and your four-legged companions happy.

1. Choosing Pet-Friendly Materials

When it comes to pet-friendly interior design tips, selecting the right materials is crucial. Opt for durable, scratch-resistant surfaces that can withstand the wear and tear of pet claws and occasional accidents. Here are some ideas:

Flooring: Hardwood or tile are excellent choices for pet-friendly homes. They're easy to clean and maintain, and they're less likely to trap pet hair and dander.
Furniture: Consider leather or tightly woven fabrics for your sofas and chairs. These materials are more resistant to scratches and can be easily wiped clean.
Rugs: If you want to add some warmth to your floors, choose low-pile rugs or indoor/outdoor rugs that are easy to clean and less likely to trap pet hair.

A cozy living room with hardwood flooring and leather sofa, featuring a designated sleeping area for a pet with a stylish dog bed that blends with the room decor, and a wooden cabinet nearby storing neatly arranged pet supplies

2. Incorporating Pet Spaces into Your Home Design

One of the best pet-friendly home design ideas is to create dedicated spaces for your pets throughout your home. This not only gives them a sense of belonging but also helps keep your home organized. Consider these design tricks for pet-friendly homes:

Create a feeding station in the kitchen with built-in food and water bowls
Design a cozy sleeping area in the living room with a stylish pet bed that complements your decor
Set up a grooming station in the laundry room or bathroom
Designate a play area with toys and scratching posts for cats

A modern, well-lit kitchen with tile flooring and an integrated feeding station including a pair of sleek pet bowls, adjacent to a cleanable surface and beneath a wall painted with pet-friendly, low-VOC paint

3. Avoiding Hazardous Decor

When implementing pet-friendly interior design tips, it's essential to consider your pet's safety. Avoid decorating with fragile items or small objects that could be swallowed. Keep these potential hazards out of reach:

Electrical cords
Toxic houseplants
Small decorative objects
Candles and essential oil diffusers

4. Installing Pet Doors

A pet door can be a great addition to your pet-friendly home design. It allows your pets to have access to the outdoors without requiring your assistance, promoting their independence. When installing a pet door, consider these factors:

Choose the right size for your pet
Ensure proper insulation to prevent drafts
Install security features to prevent unwanted intruders
Position the door in a convenient location for both you and your pet

5. Using Pet-Friendly Paints

When considering tips for creating a pet-friendly home, don't forget about the paint on your walls. Opt for pet-friendly paints and finishes that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and free from harmful toxins. These paints are not only safer for your pets but also better for your health and the environment.

6. Adding Pet-Friendly Furniture

Incorporating pet-friendly furniture ideas into your home design can make life easier for both you and your pets. Consider these options:

Stylish pet beds that blend with your decor
Cat trees that double as modern sculptures
Attractive dog crates that can serve as end tables
Built-in feeding stations that match your cabinetry

7. Choosing Easy-to-Clean Surfaces

When it comes to pet-friendly home design ideas, easy-to-clean surfaces are a must. Consider these options for different areas of your home:

Kitchen: Quartz or stainless steel countertops
Bathroom: Non-porous tile or vinyl flooring
Living room: Stain-resistant upholstery or slipcovers
Bedroom: Washable duvet covers and pillow shams

8. Considering Pet-Safe Plants

If you love having greenery in your home, it's crucial to choose pet-safe plants. Some popular pet-friendly options include:

Spider plants
Boston ferns
African violets
Bamboo palms

Always research the specific needs of your pet and the plants you're considering to ensure a safe environment.

9. Incorporating Climbing and Scratching Posts for Cats

For cat owners, integrating climbing posts and scratching pads into your home design is essential. These not only provide an outlet for your cat's natural behaviors but also help protect your furniture. Consider these pet-friendly interior design tips:

Install wall-mounted shelves for cats to climb and perch
Choose scratching posts that match your decor
Create a cat wall with various climbing and scratching options
Use sisal rope to wrap around table legs or create DIY scratching posts

A pet-friendly room with climbing posts and scratching pads for cats, complemented by a variety of pet-safe plants, avoiding fragile decorations, with an installed pet door leading to an outside garden

10. Providing Adequate Storage for Pet Supplies

One of the most important pet-friendly home design ideas is to create dedicated storage space for pet supplies. This helps keep your home organized and ensures that everything your pet needs is easily accessible. Consider these storage solutions:

Built-in cabinets for food and treats
Decorative baskets for toys
Wall-mounted hooks for leashes and collars
Pull-out drawers for grooming supplies

Conclusion

Creating a pet-friendly home doesn't mean sacrificing style or comfort. By implementing these pet-friendly home design ideas and tips for creating a pet-friendly home, you can create a space that's both beautiful and functional for you and your furry friends. Remember to consider your pet's specific needs and behaviors when making design decisions, and don't be afraid to get creative with pet-friendly furniture ideas and design tricks for pet-friendly homes.

As someone who's passionate about creating pet-friendly spaces, I've found that simpleHome is an excellent resource for connecting with local professionals who can help bring your pet-friendly design vision to life. Whether you need help installing a pet door, creating custom storage solutions, or choosing the right materials for your home, simpleHome can connect you with experienced professionals in your area.