How to pet proof furniture

Here at Stashed, we love pets! We love everything about them - almost. If we are entirely honest, we could do without the messes they create. We also love gorgeous spaces. Traditionally, the terms pet proof and beautiful are not synonymous, but in today's blog post, we cover how you can pet-proof your home and have it look stunning.

When pet-proofing our homes, we need to consider the specific issues that pets bring to the table.

·  Claws can scratch wood and tear fabrics

·  Saliva and urine can soak into upholstery and rugs

·  Rambunctious pets can topple or move furniture out of place

Choosing the right fabrics, finishes, and colors can significantly impact your home's beauty, especially when pets are involved.

Choosing a pet-friendly fabric

The right textiles for a home with pets are so much easier to maintain and keep clean. Avoid choosing delicate or loosely woven fabrics such as silk, suede, velvet, tweed, or corduroy. Loosely woven fabrics will act like velcro and attract pet hair and dust, which is unattractive and stinky! Delicate fabrics, like silk and velvet, are more likely to require professional cleaning if an accident occurs.

Synthetic fibers and leather are smart choices for pet-friendly homes. Tightly woven fabrics made from synthetic fibers are less likely to be caught by your pet's claws. Microfiber is one example of a durable and easy to clean sofa material. Other options made from synthetic fibers include polyester and acrylic. Polyester and acrylic are available in many gorgeous materials and are more beautiful than they sound.

Another top choice for pet-owners is leather. Typically, it is regarded as the best choice for pet owners because leather sofas are easy to clean, and pet hair wipes away easily. Leather is available at many price points and colors. Not to mention, if it does get some light pet scratches, it will only contribute to its weathered look, which a lot of people like!

Something else to consider when selecting your pet-friendly fabric is the rub-count. Look for materials with higher rub counts (at least 25,000-30,000). A higher the rub count indicates more exceptional durability.

Generally, a darker sofa color will hide dirt and stains best but consider choosing a color that will match your pet's fur coloring, especially if they are a shedder. Choosing a dark fabric when you have a light-colored golden retriever might leave you feeling frustrated when you are wiping away pet hair for the 10th time that day.

Consider your pet's best and worst qualities when making your upholstery decision. For example, if your pet isn't prone to accidents, but tends to shed a lot, you will want to factor that into your decision. These factors will influence which fabric is ultimately the best choice for your home.

Choosing pet-friendly accessories and decor

Now that we have your fabric sorted out let's talk about accessories. If you have high energy or rambunctious pets, you will also want to consider how they might affect the accessorizing of your space. Lamps and tables with elegant, delicate legs are more likely to be toppled by a pet trying to find his tail. Consider choosing accent tables and lamp bases with a little more weight to them so they can withstand a bump or two from scruffy.

Another piece of decor to consider is your rug. If the area-rug is too lightweight or not weighted down by furniture, you might find yourself adjusting its position more often than you'd like. Consider using a non-slip rug pad or placing strips of silicone or hot-glue on the rug's back.

Tips and tools to help keep your space gorgeous and clean

Even when you have expertly selected the perfect pet-friendly furniture and accessories, there are a few tools you should always have to help maintain your beautiful home.

·  Applying a stain repellent, such as scotch-guard, will help make it easier to clean up messes when they do happen.

·  Always keep a lint roller on hand to remove pet hair (duct tape works in a pinch!).

·  Always have your favorite carpet and upholstery cleaner handy. Might be running low? Better pick some up now, just in case.

·  My ideal tool for dealing with pet messes is the Bissell Little Green Machine.

One final tip, homes designed with pet-friendly furniture and accessories are generally kid-friendly too! Believe it or not, you can have a beautiful space with a house full of tiny humans! Sticky fingers and muddy paws aren't that different, are they?