Living Room

Help your pets feel at home in your living area with thoughtful play zones and picture-perfect accessories

These covetables will increase the style factor of your pet-friendly abode

With their playful demeanour and adorable quirks, our pets have been close companions since time immemorial. But ask any pet owner, and chances are, you’ll hear stories of precious furniture being chewed on or scratched by their furry roommates.

As our four-legged friends are essentially part of the family, there’s good reason to consider home design ideas that can better accommodate their living habits and needs. A pet-friendly haven starts with the right choice of furniture, made with materials that can withstand wear and tear.

MATERIAL WORLD

According to Jeremy Tay, director of Prestige Global Designs, corduroy, velvet and other delicate materials should be avoided. He suggests dark leather and smooth synthetics to facilitate the removal of fur, and to pick upholstery textiles that are stain-resistant and waterrepellent so spills and slobber can be washed with just water and soap.

Winnie Heimgartner-wong, managing director of upholstery purveyor Cetec, agrees. “Avoid using loose or f luffy woven fabrics as these will entice cats to play with them,” she says. “Steer clear of fabrics with natural fibres such as wool and linen, which will absorb stains easily but are hard to remove or clean up.”

To prevent furniture from being knocked over by your pets, Tay suggests choosing items with good weight and stability. “Avoid coffee tables with a thin glass top, which might shatter if your pet jumps on it,” he adds.

AMUSE AND TEASE

Another great way to prevent pets from chewing on shoes and furniture is to ensure that they have enough mental stimulation and play. To keep their destructive tendencies at bay, Kate Deng, co-founder and interior designer at Mr Shopper Studio, suggests that climbing shelves and scratch panels made of sisal or jute rope be installed for felines.

“A designated climbing wall for cats (pictured above) can be a great way to create a stimulating activity for felines and let owners watch them at play,” she adds.

Even though most pets would have been toilet trained, unpleasant odours can be further minimised with regular cleaning and the use of an air purifier or air filter. “A good vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter is also useful in keeping the place clean and allergen-free,” says Tay.

If space permits, a stylish play zone for pets in the living room can both accentuate the home decor and keep them well-occupied. He adds: “Consider including a pet bed and having their toys stored inside a basket or a box when not needed to keep the area neat.”

Meanwhile, owners can create petfriendly spots that meld seamlessly with the home. “A nice rug could be the perfect spot for a sleeping hound,” notes Jennifer Soh, general manager for sales and marketing at Space Furniture. “So is a coffee table to hide under, or an outdoor sofa to lounge on and bask in the sun.”

Ultimately, a house is not a home without being welcoming to all its inhabitants. “A luxury home can accommodate pets; homeowners invested in their animals can integrate them easily into their environment,” shares Soh. “It is up to the homeowner to make the choice—i personally love cuddling my dog on my sofa. It’s really more about choosing the right material for furniture; pets can also be trained not to climb on sofas or armchairs if that’s a concern.”

“Steer clear of fabrics with natural fibres such as wool and linen, which will absorb stains easily but are hard to clean up”