Don’t get us wrong—we love our pets, but sometimes the maintenance and clean-up that goes along with being a pet owner is time consuming and just plain frustrating. While we love the cuddles, we could do without the accidents, paw prints, chew marks and tracked mud. We haven’t figured out a way to make our furry friends wipe their feet at the door or snack on their own toys instead of our couch legs, but we canmake life a little easier by selecting durable and easy-to-clean materials. Here are just a few of our favorite ways to make being a pet owner more about sloppy kisses than sloppy patio scenes.
Choose Low-Maintenance Flooring
If you’re bringing home a puppy, have a particularly curious cat, or just want to lessen the mopping on your patio or deck, consider choosing a durable surface for your flooring in any part of the backyard where your pets might roam. For accident-prone pets, concrete or natural stone is best, as it is easy to clean and won’t be ruined by drool, bathroom breaks or claw marks. Remember to clean up with natural or eco-friendly cleaners, as pets will probably end up licking up whatever has just been cleaned (especially if they’re low to the ground)!
Stick to Pet-Approved Fabrics
Some pet owners don’t allow their pets on the couch, while others invite their furry friends to get nice and cozy on the sofa pillows. Whatever your preference, make sure your prized furnishings are protected with a durable material.
One of our favorites is leather because it’s easy to clean up accidents and spills and can be routinely conditioned and cleaned to maintain its shimmer. Plus, leather develops into a beautiful patina over time which makes it that much more durable and lovable. Be aware: Kittens or cats with especially sharp claws might mistake your favorite leather sectional for a scratching post, so have plenty of toys on hand to keep their paws busy.
Another way to maintain your upholstered pieces is by opting for indoor/outdoor fabric on cushions and pillows. Not only are these materials extra durable, but they are designed to withstand moisture, prolonged sun exposure and pet playtime.
Finish with an Outdoor Rug
Last but not least, grab an area rug. Outdoor rugs have come a long way and now feature special wicking technologies and extra resistance and durability, making them perfect for puppy play dates. Some of our favorite outdoor rugs feature bright colors, geometric patterns and banded borders for extra flair. The best part about outdoor rugs? Simply hose them off and hang them to dry whenever you have a pet-related mess to clean up.
With these few tips you’ll have set the perfect foundation for your patio scene that’s both pet-friendly and super durable—what better combination could you ask for?
