Setting up with pets - what should I consider?

Pets bring a lot of cuddle potential and love - but also mean increased work. They need care and make a mess. That's just the way it is with our beloved four-legged friends. Dogs and cats bring dirt into the apartment and spread their hair all over the house.

A white dog and a black couch? You can go over it daily with a lint roller.

A black couch and a white cat? Likewise. 

So it would be pragmatic to avoid furniture that does not harmonize well with pets. For example, the white couch. Or the leather sofa, which quickly becomes unsightly due to scratches. However, you don't have to completely give up (your) style.

Setting up with pets and style – the 8 best tips

Stylish yet easy to maintain is the motto when setting up with pets. Ideally, dirt and paw prints from furry friends should be quickly wipeable, claws should not be able to damage upholstered furniture and carpets, and the walls should be designed so that they can be quickly touched up.

Here are our 8 best tips for setting up with pets:

1. The right walls for living together with pets

If you want to spruce up your apartment before the arrival of a new pet, you can immediately paint the walls in a pet-friendly way.We recommend a muted wall color - we advise against too bright colors. Ideally, the wall color should be washable. With wallpaper, there is a risk that puppies or cats may damage it and it cannot be easily repaired. In an emergency, you can simply repaint a dirty wall at this spot.

2. The right floors for furry paws

If you want to renovate your living spaces, why not choose a low-maintenance floor directly. Tiles are a good choice, as are linoleum or vinyl floors. Vinyl and linoleum are considered particularly pet-friendly - they dampen noise and are not as slippery for the four-legged friends. Laminate and parquet are less suitable for pets.They are too slippery for dogs and cats, not moisture-resistant, and not very durable. If you can't redo the floor and it's too slippery for your pet, it's best to place washable cotton rugs in prominent places. High-pile carpets are not well suited as they are difficult to clean.

3. These furniture are suitable for households with pets

The surfaces and fronts of the furniture should be easy to wipe clean. At Metallbude we carry furniture with metal and wood elements. These are easy to care for and durable - even if your dog is romping around the apartment and the cat wants to try out its claws. Anyone who keeps cats should make sure that all furniture can withstand the cat's attempts to climb.

4. The right room concept for a life with dogs and cats

Create space for your faithful four-legged friends. Your furniture should be arranged in such a way that dogs and cats have enough space. An open living concept gives the little four-legged friends enough room to move and the big four-legged friends enough room not to always lie in the way. The open space allows humans and animals to romp and have fun - this strengthens the bond.

5. The right upholstered furniture for dogs and cats

Upholstered furniture should be darker and covered with durable fabrics. Because even if the dog actually has a nice dog bed - somehow you still find him regularly for cuddling sessions between the sofa cushions. Microfiber covers are the best.Leather, velvet and silk only to a limited extent. In woven fabrics, hair and odors stick too much.

6. Decorating with Pets

When it comes to decoration, pet lovers should consider a few things. You should arrange your decor in such a way that your cat doesn't knock every family picture off the shelf and the dog doesn't "wag" art pieces off the sideboard. It's best to place decor sparingly according to modern interior design principles. Especially on modern, straight-lined furniture or open industrial furniture made of metal, a few selected decorative elements stand out best.

7. Furnishing with Pets - Beware of Plants and Flowers

If a cat breathes in the pollen of a lily or nibbles on its leaves, it can be fatal.Even the smallest amounts of lilies are poisonous to cats! Before you bring a puppy or kitten into your house, check whether your houseplants could harm your pets.

8. Durable pet furniture with style

Feeding station and dog bed - these two pieces of pet furniture are basic equipment for every dog owner. But you should also plan storage space for your dog and cat. Perhaps an additional coat hook for the dog leash? Or a chest of drawers for the pet toys? The pet furniture can be chosen so that it fits perfectly into your existing interior style. For example, the metallic pet furniture from Metallbude fits perfectly with furniture in the industrial style.

 

Setting Up for Pets - The Apartment Becomes a Pet Playground

If you want to adapt your home even more to the needs of your pet, there are of course more ideas: For example, you can install a dog or cat door in your front door that automatically opens for your pet through the microchip.