Pet-Friendly Home Decor: 9 Smart Tips for Pet Owners

Pet-friendly home decor does not mean giving up style. It means choosing materials, placement, and pieces that hold up to claws, fur, and curious noses. These nine tips help your home look good and keep your dog or cat safe.

Pet-Friendly Home Decor: 9 Tips That Work

1. Pick fabrics that are easy to wash

Choose throws, pillow covers, and rugs you can wash or wipe. Tightly woven fabrics resist snags better than loose loops or long fringe, which can catch on claws. Something like our Flannel Throw Blanket is soft and easy to launder, and it makes a good protective layer over a favorite sofa spot.

2. Use texture where pets cannot reach

Looped or tasseled textures, such as boucle or tassels, look great but can snag. Use them on higher surfaces, like a bed or a chair pets do not climb, or keep them out of reach of cats. Our Boucle Throw Pillow Cover and Boho Table Runner work well in spots your pets do not use.

3. Give pets their own stylish spot

Pets use a dedicated bed more when it is in a good spot. A woven piece like our Woven Cat Bed looks like part of the room, so you do not have to hide it in a closet.

4. Choose plants with care

Some real plants are harmful to dogs and cats. Before you bring one home, check it against the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plants list. Artificial plants avoid the problem of watering and toxicity from real plants, but pets can still chew them, so keep them out of reach of chewers. Our Faux Potted Plant Set and Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree are artificial.

5. Hide or protect cords

Chewed cords are a real hazard. Use cord covers, route cables behind furniture, and choose lamps with short, tidy cords. Wall-mounted lighting such as our LED Wall Sconce Set frees up table space and keeps cords out of the way, and a lamp with built-in USB ports like our Farmhouse Table Lamp Set means fewer loose chargers.

6. Keep fragile and top-heavy items stable

Wagging tails and jumping cats knock things over. Put breakable pieces on higher surfaces, choose vases with a stable base, and use museum putty on small objects. A heavier piece like our Nordic Ceramic Vase belongs on a shelf or console, not a low table.

7. Anchor mirrors and heavy wall art

Use the right wall anchors for the weight of each piece and hang art above pet height or at a level where a jumping pet cannot reach it. Large pieces like our Wavy Wood Mirror should be mounted securely.

8. Put a good mat at the door

Muddy paws start at the entrance. A washable, non-slip mat like our Bohemian Door Mat catches dirt before it reaches your floors.

9. Keep walk-and-feed gear tidy

Choose a spot for leashes, bowls, and toys so they do not take over the room. A basket, a hook by the door, and a feeding mat keep the pet area neat. See our Pet Shop for everyday essentials that look good too.

Pet-Friendly Home Decor Room by Room

• Living room: washable throws on the sofa, a stable vase on a shelf, and a pet bed in a corner that is part of the room.
• Bedroom: lamps with tidy cords on the nightstand, a washable rug, and a spot for the pet bed so your pet does not need to take over yours.
• Entryway: a non-slip mat, hooks for leashes, and a small basket for toys and wipes.
• Dining area: keep table runners and tablecloths short enough that a pet cannot pull them off the table.

If you only change three things this week, start with washable fabrics, tidy cords, and a good-looking pet bed. Those three changes protect your home and your pet, and they make everything else easier.

Safety Reminder

Every pet is different. Supervise new items, stop using anything that is damaged, and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure about a material or plant. If you think your pet has swallowed something harmful, contact your veterinarian right away.

Looking for pieces that suit both your home and your pets? Browse our Home Decor and Pet Shop collections. Free US shipping on orders over $60.