As much as we love our pets, and they bring much joy and love into any household, they can be very messy, particularly if you’ve got dogs or cats who shed and topple things in their wake. If you have more than one pet, it can sometimes feel like there’s just no room for cleanliness and aesthetic designs because you’re always thinking of what items won’t break and just picking up after your furry buddies. That said, you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice the looks of your home for the sake of providing a comfortable and free space for your pets. There a few things you can do to make both aspects manageable, and you can read up on them below:
- Keep your ducts and vents clean.
Sure, the main priority is getting rid of the things you can immediately see, so there’s a tendency to sweep up fur and vacuum those tough fabrics that capture a lot of dander. However, the build-up in the neglected sections of the place can make the house full of allergens. It can make the area feel stuffy and warm, and you may find that it adds some fluff to the whole place even when you’ve cleaned up.
That is why you need to make sure you have clear vents and have regular air duct cleaning services done. Within those oft-overlooked nooks and crannies, dander, dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens build up over time. It’s not only hygienically problematic, but you’ll find that clean ducts and vents make your home fresher-looking all around.
- Incorporate pet stuff into the design.
Too often, pet-owners feel relegated to torn couches, scratched up side tables, and stained carpeting, among other things. The workaround for this is to create spaces where your pet can do their dirty work without it sticking out like a sore thumb.
If you have cats, build a cat tower or install some cat shelves on the wall sothat they have an area to play, file their nails on, and tumble around with hanging toys and catnip. If you do it yourself, you can even be free to design it as you please to fit your style, and you save your other furniture from your cats.For dog-owners, you can designate a playpen with all their favorite items and the necessary cleaning materials, like dog towels and a mat to wipe their paws on.
- Set up outdoor rules for the household.
If your animals are allowed to go outside, make sure every human in the house is aware of any rules before letting them in. Lay down a cleaning routine to make sure there isn’t any dirt or mud tracked in the place, and that there aren’t any insects being brought in. You can even go a step further and designate a section of the outside where they can go and explore as they please. That can help you monitor them better while providing your pets the playtime and sniffing around they desire without making your indoors the victim.
- Pick your materials and fabrics wisely.
You don’t necessarily have to scrimp on design value if you pick the right materials to furnish your home. For instance, bamboo tableware is not breakable but still looks classy and flexible for any occasion. Microfiber doesn’t tear as easily, so it should be safe from claws, and it’s easy to clean out the fur on it with just a quick brush or wipe. If you’re thinking about window covers, consider canvas or denim, which are no longer limited to their original colors either.
For stain prevention, a lot of people like to opt for leather, as it also does a great job of staying cool and being easy to clean since it doesn’t trap fur in any fibers. That said, it’s also pretty delicate with claws, so make sure you have adequate leather protection in areas they like to scratch at. You can get clear scratch guards that do the job, but if you don’t like the look of that, it’s best to go for alternative options like the fabrics mentioned above.
- Aerate when you can
Everyone knows a good home, more than just its looks, is also a comfortable one. This final tip is a crucial step to maintaining a comfy space when you have animals living in the house. Even if your home generally has adequate ventilation, it’s a good practice to aerate your home regularly.
Aerating is essentially opening your doors and windows to let fresh airflow into your home for around half an hour. You’ll want to make sure your pets are correctly cloistered or monitored so that you don’t have a panic attack when looking for them afterward. This process helps eliminate built-up odors,substances, allergens, and moisture in the air. It dramatically improves air quality and helps waft out those unwanted “pet smells.”
If you do these, you can have a loving home for your pets that still looks and feels good to be around people.
