Pet-friendly interior design tips for your new home

Our reputation as a nation of animal lovers shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, research shows that UK households are sharing their homes with 38 million pets, according to UK Pet Food’s annual pet population survey. But how pet-friendly are our interiors?

With dogs and cats topping the list of pets we’re most likely to share our homes with, it’s important to create a home that’s comfortable and calming, as well as safe, for our four-legged friends.

We’ve enlisted the help of veterinary professionals from Linnaeus – one of the UK’s biggest veterinary groups – to share some top tips for creating pet-friendly interiors in your new home.

Interior design colours for pets

Have you ever wondered if your dog appreciates the décor in your home? While your dog’s taste in interior design may not be at the forefront of your mind when choosing a colour scheme, choosing pet-friendly shades they can see may be beneficial.

Registered veterinary nurse, Amelia Sherwood, says: “Exactly which colours our pets can see is still up for some debate amongst researchers, however it’s likely that they see the world in a similar way to that of humans with red-green colour blindness."

“Contrary to popular belief, dogs are able to see a wide array of colours, however the range is limited to various shades of blue, yellow, green and purple."

“Choosing a colour scheme centred around this spectrum of colours can help to create a sense of comfort as it plays to your pet’s visual range.”

Pick the right spot for a pet bed

It’s essential to provide pets with a designated area for sleeping. This should be a quiet environment that offers no distractions that they can easily access.

Under the stairs is a popular choice when creating a pet-friendly sleeping space, as it can be a good way to utilise what is often an unutilised area of the home.

Best place for a dog bed

Anne Selfe, a registered veterinary nurse, advises having more than one dog bed in your home, so your dog to choose when and where they want to rest. Place one in a quiet location where your dog can rest undisturbed, which should be in a warm, dry and draft-free place.

The second can be placed in a more sociable part of your home, such as the kitchen or living room, so they can rest while spending time with the family.

Best place for a cat bed

With cats clocking up around 16 hours of sleep per day, they welcome having two types of area to rest in. They like having access to a high resting place, so good positions for a cat bed include on top of a freestanding cupboard or a scratching post with resting platforms.

Having a hideaway area is also important, such as under a bed or in a cupboard. Always position a cat bed away from litter trays and food and drink bowls.

How to choose pet-friendly house plants

Creating pet-friendly interiors requires additional thought when choosing home accessories, particularly plants.

Indoor plants are beneficial for health and wellbeing, while also complementing décor

Registered veterinary nurse, Gemma Mogridge, says: “Pets often don’t distinguish between plants that could be potentially harmful and those that can be enjoyed safely."

“Whether you have a curious cat or a hungry house rabbit some house plants could be best kept out of their way and you should always research pet-friendly house plants before making a purchase that could harm your pet."

“Although researching pet-friendly plants may seem inconvenient the benefits to brightening up your home with a few potted plants will make your home a more attractive place for both you and your pet.”

Common house plants that are best avoided include:

• Lillies
• Poinsettia
• Hyacinths
• Daffodils

Learn more about plants to avoid.

Pet-friendly sofa fabrics

When sofa shopping, fabric type and colour are both important for keeping pet hair and claws at bay. Keep these features in mind when choosing a new sofa as part of your pet-friendly interior design.

• Tight weave fabrics, including chenille, microfibre and polyester, are less likely to be damaged or pulled by claws
• Synthetic leather is easy to clean, making it ideal for dirty paws
• Heavy duty fabrics can be identified by their rub count – aim for a count of 20,000-plus for a fabric that is really durable
• Add fabric protection to help guard against dirt and stains
• Choose a fabric shade that is a similar colour to your dog or cat to make pet hair less noticeable

How to stop cats scratching the furniture

No-one wants their décor spoiled by scratching. Registered veterinary nurse, Kerry Jackson, shares her top tips for creating pet-friendly interiors that reduce the risk of scratched furnishings.   

She says: “Scratching behaviour is normal for cats and can support communication, as well as maintaining claws. Providing various opportunities to exhibit normal behaviour can reduce the risk of damage to furnishings."

“Cats will use vertical and horizonal surfaces to scratch, and if you have more than one cat you will need to incorporate more opportunities."

“Placement in suitable locations, near sleeping areas or where you wish to discourage scratching of furniture, along with placing catnip into the scratching area, can encourage cats to use alternative resources.”

• Horizontal scratching – provide your cat with easy access to a scratching mat
• Vertical scratching – scratching posts should be a minimum of 60cm with a wide base and tall enough and sturdy enough to support an adult cat.

For more useful pet info, read the team's tips on moving home with a pet.