Aussies love their pets so much that nearly 70 percent of households have a pet today and 90 percent of households have had a pet at some time. There are around 28.7 million pets in homes across Australia, bringing joy and companionship to many people.
But while we love our pets, the number of garish pet accessories in stores is astounding.
According to Kellie Richardson, a highly respected interior designer and founder of Melbourne-based home design company Kurved by Design, there are many ways to incorporate your pet's requirements into the interior styling of your home in a practical and thoughtful way.
"If you look online, you'll not only have access to a wider variety of pet accessories but also an increasing number of stylish designs that will complement your home, rather than stand out like an eye sore," Richardson said.
In 2020, Richardson won the global CEO Excellence award in 2020 for 'Best Property Styling and Interior Design Business'. She is regularly asked to find ways to incorporate pet beds and other items into the interior styling of properties.
"Having a pet or two at home brings so much love and joy to your family circle, so we want to incorporate their furniture, food and water bowls and toys into the style of your home to really enhance the fact that they are part of the family," Richardson said.
"The problem is that this can be a challenge sometimes as it is not always easy to find pet items that will work with your home styling."
- Richardson has provided some tips on how to make the process easier - how to create a stylish house with your pets:
"Don't laugh, but 'barkitecture' is a term used to describe the focus on designing a pet-friendly home! From flooring to fabrics and furniture, pet owners can now fit out their homes with pet-friendly home features that are not just functional but also safe for your pet," Richardson said.
"We all need a place to retreat and rest when we are seeking solitude. Your pet is no different and while he may love a good game of fetch on the oval, your pet will spend most of his time hanging out at home, so giving him a special little nook where he is in sight but still tucked away enough to feel secure will allow him to get the rest he needs without being disturbed."
- Pet beds
"I strongly advise households to Invest in a good pet bed, made from good materials. There are now options like memory foam beds and orthopaedic beds that are all made from premium materials, so you know that they will be luxurious yet durable," Richardson said.
"Chose a good quality bed that is made from durable and washable materials. Ideally pet beds that enable covers to be zipped off and washed are the most practical. Many pet beds also come with a range of different covers that can be swapped out as your interior changes.
"When choosing a bed for your pet, particularly if your pet likes to sleep in your room, choose pet blankets that match your own bed set to enhance the look of your pet's little nook.
"For a cat bed, choose one that is wall-mounted so that you can get rid of those unsightly cat trees while meeting your cat's needs and preferences to be somewhere up high where she feels safe. Then line it with a luxe blanket that complements the room so that it looks like it was meant to be there. These items are worth the price you pay because they're made of good quality materials and don't have that awful cheap plastic look that can really cheapen and deteriorate the look of your home."
- Pet bowls
"Pet bowls now come in a broad range of designs, shapes, sizes and colours. This is great as it enables you to buy food and water bowls to match your interior," Richardson said.
"While it is nice to have matching bowls, you may also opt to stow away these bowls in a bottom draw in your laundry or kitchen. Pull out bowl draws for your pooch can easily be created by converting existing draws. By removing draw sides you can keep food bowls in the draw and pull it out at feeding time and then close it once your pooch has finished their meal.
"There are lots of ways to incorporate bowls into the home in a way that complements your styling."
- Toys and balls
"Every pet loves their toys. While it is important to keep them clean, over time they can get a bit tired looking," Richardson said.
"Place your pet's toys and balls into a basket that can be strategically placed in the family room, deck or other location and is easy to access. Baskets are a wonderful addition to any room as they add texture and colour.
"This is a great way to store your pet's things while maintaining the look and feel of your interior."
- Pet-friendly interior design ideas for your home
"With more and more home designers being conscious of including a family's pet into the home, we now have so many great options to choose from. Many families really love an all-in-one pet station that can tuck away in a corner and incorporates your pet's bedding and feeding needs," Richardson added.
"Another great idea is pull-out cat drawers. Similar to pooch drawers, they are a simple solution to keep your cat's food away from other pets. Simply repurpose a shallow drawer near the ground to create a slide-out feeding station where your cat's food supplies can be placed and stored away when mealtime is over."
- Fur-free fabrics
"So maybe saying that fabrics can be fur-free is a bit of a stretch, you should definitely steer clear of suede and velvet, both of which are notorious for being fur magnets. Choose fabrics like microfibre, leather or leatherette. Smoother fabrics will make cleaning up little pet messes and furballs easier. Patterned or textured textiles do a good job hiding pet hair and minor scratches and stains," she added.
"If you have a very active pet, then it's also best to do away with any furniture or decorations with glass elements and go for sturdier fittings. You can even get ottomans and coffee tables with built-in pet beds!"
- Safety first
"At the end of the day, we know our pets are just our lovable little babies and no matter how old they are, they you need to take precautions to ensure their safety lest curiosity get the better of your cat! Always conceal electric points and cords and install pet gates to manage their movement. Keep your trash cans covered and place things like detergents, cleaning products and medication away from where a cat could reach or a dog could knock over," Richardson said.
"When we are out of our homes, we want to make sure that our homes are safe so our pets can enjoy their homes safely too."
About Kurved by Design:
Since 2016, Kurved by Design, founded by Kellie Richardson, has provided Melbourne with a range of home design services. The company umbrella comprises five different companies: interior design, property staging, retail furniture and homewares, property maintenance and its interior design academy. Its vast reach has made it a 'truly one-of-a-kind company. In 2020, Richardson won the global CEO Excellence award in 2020 for 'Best Property Styling and Interior Design Business'.
