You can’t help but treat your pets like one of your own — that is, until they destroy your favorite area rug. While a handful of pet owners inescapably let their homes go to the dogs, there are easy ways to combine style and function to create a pet-friendly home that’s suitable for both you and your animals.
Area rugs are easily one of the most destroyed elements of a home. However, there are an assortment of pet-proof alternative options that can fit any owner's needs and aesthetics, from indoor/outdoor styles to distinct designs that require little to no maintenance.
Indoor/Outdoor Pet Friendly Area Rugs
One of our favorite ways to keep your home pet friendly yet stylish is by using indoor/outdoor pet friendly rugs inside. These type of pet friendly rugs generally work double duty. Not only do they keep carpeted floors clear of debris and stains, but they come in interior-worthy prints and add a touch of style to any space.
Additionally, outdoor pet friendly rugs can be easily washed and mask elements like muddy paw tracks and grass better than a traditional area rug. Moreover, pet friendly rugs are also made for durability and can handle more hearty cleaning methods such as scrubbing and bleaching (depending on the rug material). Place one in high traffic areas such as the entryway, as well as near where your pet eats, too.
Pet Friendly Materials For Pet Friendly Area Rugs
Deciding on the best pet-friendly materials for your pet friendly area rug will make all the difference in durability and function. Stick with polyester blend, nylon and wool area rugs. These materials are relatively easy to clean and will look good as new after a messy mix-up. Polyester blend area rugs are wonderful at stain repellency, and wool and nylon rugs follow soon after.
Synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon are also budget-conscious options, so if your favorite four legged friendly unintentionally destroys your pet friendly area rug, it can easily be replaced.
Lively Patterns With Pet Friendly Area Rugs
Going for a pet friendly area rug with a lively pattern will not only add “oomph” to any space, furthermore, it will also make it easier to mask stains and pet “oops.” Large-print and solid pet friendly rugs will make stains much easier to spot, so stick with geometric or intricately patterned rugs to draw attention toward the design and away from dirty paw prints.
Low-Pile Pet Friendly Area Rugs
Everyone enjoys the feeling of high-pile rugs with lots of texture to sink our toes into, such as sheepskin and shag rugs. Unfortunately, so do our pets, who usually tend to gravitate towards plush rugs to burrow and dig their paws into. Wide-looped strands of those beautifully fluffy rugs can be easily hooked by kitty claws and puppy nails, so stick to low-pile rugs to avoid potential destruction.
Cut-pile, pet-friendly rugs are another alternative. Because the rug material is cut, not looped, you won’t have to worry about pets fluffing your new area rug any time soon.