Pet-Friendly Decorating 

Living with a pet doesn’t mean giving up on a home that feels stylish and comfortable. It just means accepting a few realities: the sofa may be someone’s favorite napping spot, toys may appear in the living room no matter how many times you put them away, and your pet will probably choose the one chair you hoped would stay fur-free. 

The good news is that a pet-friendly home can still look pulled together. A few thoughtful choices, such as a washable throw, a basket for toys, a sturdy rug, and a designated spot for leashes and beds, can make everyday life easier for everyone. 

Key Takeaways

• Decorate around your pet’s real habits, not the habits you wish they had. 
• Give toys, walking gear, beds, and other everyday supplies a place to land. 
• Use washable textiles and easy-to-maintain materials where they make sense. 
• Keep delicate décor out of busy pet zones. 
• Use storage for permitted household items and extra pet gear that are not part of your current routine. 

Start With the Spots Your Pet Already Loves

Before buying a new rug or moving furniture around, take a look at how your pet uses the room now. 

Maybe your dog has claimed the sunny patch by the window. Maybe your cat treats the back of the sofa like a personal observation deck. Maybe the hallway turns into a racetrack every time someone picks up a leash. 

Those habits are helpful decorating clues. Instead of fighting them, work with them. Put a pet bed near the sunny window. Leave an open route through the room if your pet tends to zoom from one space to another. Move breakable items away from the spot where excitement tends to happen. 

You do not have to redesign the whole house around your pet. But making a few adjustments can help your rooms feel more functional and less like you are constantly moving things out of the way. 

Choose Materials That Can Handle Real Life

A pet-friendly home doesn’t need to look like a waiting room or a pet store. You can still use color, texture, art, and furniture you enjoy. It just helps to think about how each item will fit into your day-to-day routine. 

For example, washable throws can be useful on a favorite sofa spot. A washable rug may make sense in an entryway where paws, shoes, and everyday traffic all meet. A basket can hold toys without making the living room feel like a toy aisle. 

When you are choosing furniture or textiles, check the manufacturer’s care guidance and think about where the item will go. A light-colored accent chair may work perfectly in a low-traffic bedroom. A heavily used family-room sofa may need a fabric that fits the realities of naps, playtime, and the occasional muddy-day return home. 

Give Pet Supplies a Home, Too

The fastest way for a room to feel cluttered is for pet supplies to slowly spread across every surface. One toy under the coffee table becomes five toys, a leash on a chair, a brush on the counter, and a blanket that has somehow taken over the whole sofa. 

A few simple zones can help. Put a basket near the living room for toys. Add a hook or small bin near the door for walking gear. Give grooming items, extra bedding, and cleanup supplies their own cabinet or container. 

This does not have to be complicated. The point is simply to make it easier to put things away after using them. 

For more pet-organization ideas, read Keep Pet Supplies Organized With Simple Storage Zones. 

Make Pet Beds and Crates Part of the Room

A pet bed does not have to be an afterthought tossed into the nearest open corner. Treat it like part of the room’s setup. 

Choose a spot your pet already enjoys, such as beside the sofa, near a favorite chair, or in a quieter bedroom corner. A bed near where the household spends time can give pets a place to relax without being completely removed from the action. 

Crates can also fit naturally into a room when they are placed thoughtfully. Try positioning one against a wall, beside a piece of furniture, or in a dedicated pet area rather than in the middle of a busy path. 

The goal is not to hide every pet item. It is to give it a place that works for your pet and the room. 

Keep Delicate Décor Out of the Zoomie Zone

You can absolutely have decorative objects, framed art, and the occasional nice-looking side table when you have pets. It just helps to think about placement. 

Keep fragile items away from the areas where your pet runs, plays, greets people at the door, or gets especially enthusiastic about dinner. Wall-mounted art, higher shelves, and sturdy surfaces are good places for the pieces you want to display. 

At floor level, less is often more. A clear path can make the room easier for people and pets to move through, and it can save you from constantly relocating décor when the energy level picks up. 

If you are preparing your home for a new pet, How Do I Pet-Proof My Home for a New Pet? has additional room-by-room ideas. 

Use Storage for the Extra Stuff

Pets can come with a surprising amount of gear. Extra beds, crates, carriers, playpens, seasonal accessories, and activity equipment can start to take over closets, garage shelves, and spare rooms. 

A storage unit can help with permitted pet gear and household items that are not part of your current routine. Maybe you are holding onto an extra crate after your pet settles into the home. Maybe you want to pack away cold-weather accessories during warmer months. Or maybe you are clearing a room to make more space for your pet’s bed, toys, or everyday routine. 

Clean and dry items before packing them into labeled bins. If you expect to retrieve something soon, place it near the front of your storage area. 

Storage units are for permitted household items and pet gear, not pets. Before placing belongings in storage, review your rental agreement and facility rules, including items that are not permitted.

For more ideas about seasonal pet gear, read What Pet Supplies Should I Store Seasonally?.

Let Your Home Look Like a Home

A pet-friendly home doesn’t need to be perfect. A blanket may end up on the sofa. A toy may occasionally stay in the middle of the floor. Your pet may still ignore the expensive bed and sleep directly next to it. 

That is okay. The goal is to create a home that works for your routine, has room for your pet, and still feels like a space you enjoy coming back to. 

When extra furniture, décor, or pet gear begins to crowd your home, Public Storage offers month-to-month rentals and a range of storage unit sizes for permitted household items. You can complete a storage rental online in minutes, and no credit card is required. 

Find a Storage Location
Explore Storage Unit Sizes
Reserve a Storage Unit Online

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet-Friendly Decorating

How can I decorate my home when I have pets? 

Choose materials, furniture placement, and storage systems that fit your pet’s habits and your everyday routine. Washable textiles, designated pet zones, and fewer delicate items in high-traffic areas can help. 

How can I keep pet supplies from taking over the house? 

Create a few easy zones, such as a basket for toys, a hook near the door for walking gear, and a cabinet or bin for extra supplies. The simpler the system, the easier it is to use. 

Where should I put a pet bed? 

Start with a spot your pet already enjoys, such as near the sofa, by a favorite chair, or in a quiet corner. Try to avoid busy doorways and main walkways. 

Can I store pet supplies in a storage unit? 

A storage unit can help with permitted pet gear, including extra beds, crates, carriers, seasonal accessories, and activity equipment. Storage units are not for pets or other living things. 

Are Public Storage rentals month to month? 

Yes. All Public Storage rentals are month to month.