Plan Your Living Room with Your Pets in Mind

Your living room is where you go to relax, unwind, and entertain. A well-designed living room provides relaxation and style for you and your pets. Space is vital for you and your pets. There should be plenty of room for your pets to play, along with a space for their favorite toys.

Issues such as cleanliness and safety come to mind when creating a pet-friendly atmosphere. Cats and dogs often shed, so keeping your living space free of pet hair should be a priority. Other issues include pet safety and security. Below are some tips on creating a living room with your pets in mind. 

Organize your furniture

The first step to creating a pet-friendly living room is to organize your furniture. You can rearrange it any way you want. But with pet safety, it's best to follow some simple tips. Couches and sofas should be arranged along the walls to maximize space. This allows your pet to run around without risk of injury when bumping into sharp edges such as chair or sofa legs.

Invest in the right carpets and rugs

Rugs and carpets add beauty to any living space. But there's a downside. Any rug or carpet with loops can pose a danger to your pet. Cats and dogs can get their claws caught on a strand. Your pets may injure themselves easily when trying to loosen their claws.

Another downfall of carpeting is that pet odor and hair gets trapped. Accidents happen, and stains become easily visible. A darker-colored carpet or rug will hide stains much better. Your best bet is to choose something that's flat and easy to keep clean.

Choose shorter curtains

Curtains that are long enough to drag the ground get ruined by pets. Your cat may think of a curtain as a toy and try to bat at it with her paws. She may accidentally knock down your curtains, right along with the rods. You may want to consider shorter curtains. But before you do, keep in mind that cats have a penchant for climbing. You can minimize the likelihood of losing your curtains on the floor by keeping furniture away from windows.

Vacuum your living room on a routine basis

A routine vacuum will work wonders for your living area. You'll eliminate pet dander by keeping your area free of pet hair. Dogs and cats shed a lot more frequently than you think. Be sure to vacuum your floors, your furniture, and your rugs every other day. A professional rug cleaning service such as Appleby Cleaning can shampoo your rugs to eliminate pet dander and odor.

Use dual-purpose furniture

Dual-purpose furniture is a practical approach to creating space for you and your pet. You can install feeding drawers in the lower part of a desk or table for easy access. Another idea is to use your coffee table. You can use the space underneath to store blankets, toys, and extra food.

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