Pet-Friendly Interior Design Tips for a Beautiful, Functional Home

They sprawl across our sofas, nap in sunlit corners, and somehow always find the coziest spot in the house. Pets are family. And let’s be honest—sometimes they live better than we do.

But here’s the good news: designing a home with pets in mind doesn’t mean giving up style. You don’t need to resign yourself to a sea of rubber gates, paw-printed upholstery, or toys scattered like confetti across every square inch of your living room. With a little intention and a few smart choices, it’s absolutely possible to create a home that’s both beautiful and built for the way you—and your four-legged cohabitants—actually live.

Here’s how to design a pet-friendly home that balances form, function, and effortless style.

1. Start from the Ground Up: Flooring That Loves Pets (and People)

When pets are part of the household, flooring becomes less about fashion and more about everyday function. But you don’t have to choose one over the other. Avoid high-gloss finishes and soft woods. In the battle of paws vs. polish, paws will win every time.

The best pet-friendly flooring:

• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): It’s the design chameleon of pet homes—realistic wood look, water-resistant, and scratch-tolerant enough for zoomies.
• Sealed Concrete: Unfussy, modern, and practically indestructible. Plus, with radiant heating? Chef’s kiss.
• Tile: Especially ideal for entryways and mudrooms—easy to clean and timeless by nature.

Bonus tip: Don’t skip rugs. Look for indoor-outdoor styles or machine-washable rugs with tonal patterns. They’ll soften your space and cleverly disguise shedding without sacrificing style.

2. Choose Upholstery That’s Equal Parts Durable and Beautiful

Yes, you can have a chic, editorial-worthy sofa and a shedding golden retriever. The trick? Smart, pet-friendly fabrics that stand up to claws, fur, and Friday night cuddles.

Our go-to upholstery picks:

• Performance Textiles (think Crypton, Sunbrella, Performance Velvet, or similar): These are the design world’s secret weapon—wipeable, durable, and still soft to the touch.
• Top-Grain Leather: Easy to clean, and honestly, it only gets better with a little wear.
• Slipcovers: Not just for cottages anymore. They’re layered, lovely, and completely washable when life (and shedding season) happens.
• When in doubt, try a machine washable, pet blanket that meshes seamlessly with your decor.

Bonus tip: Stick to mid-tones and soft textures. White is an open invitation for disaster, and black shows everything. There’s a tonal sweet spot right in the middle.

3. Designate a Pet Zone—That Doesn’t Feel Like One

A pet-friendly home doesn’t mean carving out a whole room dedicated to your dog. (Although if you have the space, we’re not judging.) It’s more about thoughtful integration—folding your pet’s needs into the flow of your home without disrupting its rhythm.

Smart integrations we love:

• A cozy sleeping nook under the stairs or tucked beneath a window bench
• A feeding station with hidden storage and wipeable surfaces (because no one wants to see the kibble bag)
• An entry bench with hooks for leashes and bins for towels, so your walk routine doesn’t take over your hallway

This is where great design shines: when it works quietly in the background, honoring both beauty and function.

4. Store Pet Supplies Without Sacrificing Style

Let’s be honest—our pets come with gear. And while we love them, their accessories can quickly clutter even the most curated spaces. 

Stylish storage ideas:

• Lidded baskets in natural materials—woven, felt, cane—that echo your overall palette
• A drawer or cabinet for treats, grooming tools, and meds
• Labeled bins for seasonal gear like raincoats, collapsible bowls, or the occasional party bandana (just me?) 

The goal isn’t just hiding things. It’s creating visual rest in high-use areas. Because in a well-designed home, even the dog toys have a place.

5. Let Mudrooms Do the Dirty Work

The real MVP of a pet-friendly interior? The mudroom. It’s your first defense against muddy paws, wet noses, and everything in between.

Upgrades that make a difference:

• A washable runner to catch dirt before it travels
• Hooks for leashes and towels, so they’re always within reach
• A bench or low basket to corral shoes (and avoid accidental chew toys)
• And if space allows: a utility sink, wall-mounted sprayer, or pet shower is a game-changer post-park romp

This is where practicality meets hospitality—and your future self says thank you.

6. Let Pet Pieces Be Part of the Design

Not every pet item needs to be hidden. In fact, with the right choices, your pet’s things can elevate your space.

Elevated essentials:

• A hand-thrown ceramic water bowl that looks like something from your favorite boutique
• A minimalist dog bed in neutral boucle or canvas
• A framed sketch or abstract portrait of your pet—equal parts art and love note

Pets are part of the family. Their aesthetic footprint should be just as intentional as anyone else’s.

7. Safety First

Designing with pets in mind doesn’t end at materials and moodboards. A beautiful home should also be a safe one—for everyone who lives there.

Pet-proofing with style:

• Secure loose cords and skip tip-prone decor
• Opt for non-toxic houseplants (snake plants, palms, ferns)
• Invest in baby gates or barriers that feel architectural, not industrial
• Keep clear walkways so pets can roam freely without disrupting the flow

It’s less about restriction and more about ease—making sure every element supports how you live, together.

8. Clean Smart: Tools That Make Pet Messes Manageable

Let’s be honest: even with the best design, pets come with their own brand of chaos. (Looking at you, tumbleweeds of fur.) But with the right pet-friendly cleaning supplies, keeping your home fresh and fabulous doesn’t have to be a full-time job.

Vacuums that love pets as much as you do:

These top picks are known for tackling fur, dander, and everything your pets drag in—without clogging or complaining:

• Dyson Ball Animal 3: Powerful suction, tangle-free attachments, and engineered specifically for homes with pets.
• Shark Stratos Upright with DuoClean PowerFins: Corded reliability plus anti-hair-wrap tech—great for multi-pet households.
• Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum: Quiet, HEPA-sealed, and hyper-efficient—perfect for allergen-sensitive homes.
• Bissell ICONpet Turbo Edge Cordless: Lightweight, cordless, and surprisingly mighty. A solid choice for quick, daily cleans.

The lint roller to end all lint rollers:

There are lint rollers—and then there’s the Evercare Pet Mega Roller. With a generously wide roll and telescoping handle, it makes sweeping up pet hair from sofas, rugs, and even bedding weirdly satisfying. Consider it the design lover’s secret weapon against fur-covered everything.

A few other pet-friendly cleaning staples to keep on hand:

• Unscented enzyme sprays for messes (look for non-toxic, plant-based formulas)
• Microfiber cloths for wiping down nose prints (how do they always find the windows?)
• Non-toxic, moisturizing pet shampoo and conditioner
• Washable pet throws for high-traffic furniture zones—easy to clean, easy to love

Because let’s be real: the most stylish pet-friendly homes aren’t the ones without mess—they’re the ones with a solid clean-up game.

Final Thought

A pet-friendly interior doesn’t have to look like a kennel. It can be layered, personal, and beautiful. With the right materials, storage, and design choices, your home can support real life—fur, toys, paw prints, and all.