We’re no strangers to pets here at the GM office, and we can’t imagine a home without our favorite furry friends sharing the space next to us on the couch or at the end of the bed. With that said, maintaining a chic (and chew-free, snag-free) home that involves pets can be easier said than done. Even though accidents inevitably happen, we’re here to tell you that the myth that pets and chic décor don’t mix is absolutely false, and our newest design contributor is here to tell you exactly why! Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a lesson in pet-proofing your home the chic way, straight from interior designer Daniela Benloulou…
Hello, I’m Daniela Benloulou! I am a local interior designer here in Los Angeles, currently living with an amazing husband, a baby due any day, a senior dog, a brand-new rescue puppy (yes, I adopted a puppy 7 weeks before the due date of my first child, and yes, I realize how crazy that sounds), and a rescue cat who pretty much runs the house. Being a designer, I absolutely love helping families create homes they will make lasting memories in, as well as making friends along the way, and having the ultimate creative outlet. My décor style reflects my own global background; while I am drawn to clean lines, I accent them with textiles, colors, and patterns from around the world. That being said, this post is written by someone who has thrown away too many wonderful rugs or upholstered furniture, and sat in horror as her puppy chewed her in-laws’ dining set.
I am one of the biggest pet advocates I know. I firmly believe that animals add an incredible energy into the home, and are worth every effort. On the other hand, as an interior designer I believe one’s home should be as chic as practically possible (in comes my Nude Sunbather, Nantucket print!). In my lifetime of living with dogs and cats, I’ve learned many ways to have a chic home while pet-proofing, and I’m sharing them with you below…
Face Your Flooring Options
The first surface to discuss is flooring. Let’s face it, even the best trained dog will have accidents. Sometimes you just don’t get home in time, or sometimes they get sick in the middle of night. If you live in a home with hard flooring (wood, tile, etc.), rugs are a wonderful way to anchor a space and make it more inviting. If you have pets, I highly suggest not investing in one-of-a-kind, expensive, artisanal rugs. With the plethora of trendy and affordable area rug options these days, you can still achieve your design goal without breaking the bank on something that may get ruined. I have a 9’x12’ polypropylene rug I purchased for less than $300. Polypropylene is a synthetic material that is easy to clean (great for spills and children!), and the weave is such that a cat clawing the rug will not destroy it. (Side note to cat owners: stay away from anything “hand-tufted” or loomed!)
If you have a little more room in your rug budget, I suggest looking into carpet “tiles,” or modular squares that you put together by sticking a provided sticker underneath. With carpet tiles, you have the option of removing a soiled tile, rinsing it off (depending on the severity of the stain, I’ve even hosed them off outside or tossed them in the washing machine), and putting it back, or just buying a brand new tile as a replacement. The great thing with this option is that you’re not stuck to a particular size of rug. You can adapt the modular shape to whichever size and direction suits your space best. With any of these rug options (when unavoidable accidents happen) my favorite cleaning products are Nature’s Miracle brand. Even the hard floor cleaner is amazing.
Pay Attention to Upholstery
Now that we’ve discussed flooring, let’s dive into furniture. I personally have had a tougher time finding cat-proof solutions, so I’ll start there. The rule of thumb with upholstered furniture is that cats LOVE to sink their nails into the loops of fabrics. It is a natural instinct that you can’t “train” them not to do. First, get kitty a proper cat scratcher. My cat loves her “kitty condo” upholstered in carpet material. This “condo” is not the most attractive piece in my home, but it’s in a private space where guests don’t go. I personally have yet to try one of those gorgeous modern cat scratchers that my cat will actually use. She prefers the PetSmart stuff!
Now that your cat has a place to scratch, we can focus on upholstery materials. Avoid any material that has visible holes or loops. Linens, tweeds, chunky knits and embroideries are claw magnets. The best material would be a high quality microfiber. It’s worth getting a sofa or bed custom made just so you can get this material. Velvets have also worked for me. My third choice is leather, but unfortunately there are cats who like to scratch it.
As for upholstery for dogs, microfiber still comes in first place. If your pooch went outside in the rain, tracked mud in, and decided to jump on your microfiber sectional, it would survive. This wonder material is also great for clumsy humans who eat in front of the TV, or little toddlers who can’t help but make a mess of every single thing! If you need to have a white sofa (I wouldn’t do it, but there are some circumstances where, visually, it’s the best option), a slipcover is a great thing to try. Slipcovered sofas work best in more traditional shapes, so if you’re going for an ultra-modern or mid-century aesthetic, it may be harder to find one that is crisp and taut enough.
When in Doubt, Go Fabric-Free
Aside from sofas, armchairs, and headboards, which, in my opinion, should be upholstered, I say keep everything else fabric-free. For example, my dining chairs are acrylic. An upholstered chair will attract a cat. A wood-frame chair, unfortunately, can attract a teething puppy. If you have an adult dog who doesn’t chew, wood should be fine. If you’re training a dog not to chew on furniture, I suggest spraying deterrent products like Bitter Apple to help with the cause. My ultimate furniture material for both cats and dogs is metal. It is practically indestructible! Metal works well for a modern aesthetic (I’m partial to matte brass), or even a more traditional home, like the look of cast iron. Metal, natural stone, glass, and lucite/acrylic are ideal materials for tables throughout the house.
If you already have your home furnished, cannot replace anything, and are looking into welcoming a furry friend into your life, please do (and please, please adopt)! Crate training can solve many of the potential issues with a new dog. Also, setting boundaries and giving your pup proper exercise will exhaust him enough not to misbehave. With a new cat, you can easily cover your upholstered furniture with large pages of clear double-sided tape, specifically designed to deter clawing (such as SmartCat Sticky Paws XL). The love and fulfillment you’ll get from opening your home to a sweet animal will make you wonder how you ever lived without a pet!
We completely agree, Daniela! We’re convinced that a place where pets and chic décor coexist is well within reach, and we couldn’t be happier. After all, they are two of our favorite things…
To see more from Daniela, make sure to visit her site here and follow her on Instagram.
Xx Team GM