PET PROJECT
We love our pets — even when they get mud on the newly painted walls, scratch up the curtains and leave a layer of fur lovingly all over the new couch.
There are some practical and fun ways you can incorporate your pet’s needs into your home, while still protecting your design investments, and without sacrificing your design aesthetic — so everybody’s happy!
Create a play and sleep space
Dogs particularly need a dedicated place, or two, where they know their bed is, and where they can find their favourite toys. Cats will tend to find their own spots, but you can try luring them to where you want them with a cosy blanket in a patch of sun — or a food bowl.
For dogs, keep their dedicated area big enough that they have some room to play, and put it next to a door for easy access outside. It should be away from main traffic thoroughfare areas, or working areas like the kitchen — without being isolated.
Dedicated storage
Just like you might do with your kids, having a storage box or cupboard for all your pet paraphernalia can help keep your home looking ordered and today.
Take over a laundry cupboard or build a storage box in the shed or another out-of-the-way area, for items like surplus food, medicines, spare leads, old towels and even pet outfits.
Another idea for dog owners is to build a mud room, or at the very least a mud cupboard, near the exterior door you most use when taking the dog for a walk. Add in a place to sit where you can change muddy shoes and dry your dog down when needed, and add plenty of hooks for wet coats, and places for muddy shoes.
Protect the furniture
If you’ve finished your new decor with a beautiful statement couch, you’re probably not going to want it covered with pet hair or claw pulls.
When you’re shopping for furniture talk to the retailer or maker about how different fabrics attract or repel animal hair. You might also want to consider denser weave fabrics that won’t pull or tear easily. Leather and synthetic fibres are often harder wearing and easy to clean. Be mindful of natural finishes such as wood, wicker, cane, sisal or rattan. They
can all be very appealing to bite and to sharpen claws on. Alternatively look for metal and chrome finishes that won’t make such good chew toys or scratching posts.
Protect the walls
Heavily textured wallpapers or fabrics can also be a magnet for animal hair, particularly around high traffic areas like doors or feeding zones.
Even very matte finish paints will attract dirt and fur from your animals (and your humans!) so look for a slightly higher sheen finish that is more likely to repel dirt and can be wiped down. For durable surfaces that are easy to clean, try painting with Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or below the dado line with a waterborne enamel such as Resene Enamacryl gloss, Resene Lustacryl semigloss.
Keep windows clear
Most pets will also be drawn to windows and ranch sliders or french doors because they’re sources of warmth and light — and because they like to know what’s going on outside. Keep windows free of heavy curtains if you don’t want them to become dirty and worn.
Consider minimalism
Having a bit of a declutter when you’re considering a pet, particularly a larger dog, or a kitty who likes to clamber is not a bad idea. You don’t need to go for a strictly minimalist look with every surface completely clear as though you are living in a show home. But think about where your precious mementoes and art are placed. Are they out of the way of rogue wagging tails, or jumping cats?
Keep your colour scheme in mind
If you have carefully curated your colour scheme to be dramatic with walls in Resene Brown Bramble to draw attention to your new leather sofa framed by a feature panel in Resene Whiskey, having a red and green tartan dog bed is going to ruin the effect somewhat. If you don’t
care, that’s fine. If you want people to notice the room and not the dog bed, try for one in a neutral colour.
Instead of that dramatic all white interior you might want to go for a warmer, more beige-toned neutral colour on the walls such as Resene Half Tea or Resene Cloud that are less likely to show every mark.
Dining in style
Finding a place to feed your pets inside that doesn’t become an immediate eyesore is tricky. You could go all out and add a cat door into a storage cupboard, laundry or pantry so bowls are accessible to pets but not being constantly tripped over by everyone else.
If your pet doesn’t need access to the food bowls all day, you could remove a kickboard from your kitchen cabinetry and slide them out of sight when not in use. Or transform a bottom drawer into a feed station that can be closed when your pet’s not around.
Tips for painting with pets
Of course, having a pet-friendly interior design is not just about decorating to suit your pets; it’s also about decorating safely and neatly with pets in your house. There’s nothing quite as upsetting as a nice set of paw prints all over the rest of the furniture and floor!
■ For more decorating ideas and expert advice, visit your local Resene ColorShop.