The Perfect Pet Area with Nathan from Tailor & Nest Interiors

Today on the blog I talk to the wonderful, stylish, super lovely Nathan from Tailor & Nest Interior Design!  Nathan put together the Love Tails Studio so you will remember him from my Instagram progress updates. 

Nathan dives into “how to put together a stylish pet area”. Get stuck in for some great tips (and look out for the mood board at the end!)

Pets are the best aren’t they?! We all love having our furry loved ones around, especially during times like Corona, where isolation has kept us inside (much to the delight of our four-legged friends!) They bring us so much joy and comfort, and help the days go by faster.

I’ve heard many people tell me over the years that they can’t buy nice furniture, as they are scared it will get trashed over time by our pets. While this may be true to some extent, there’s actually no reason why you can’t give them their own little area, and bribe them with treats to enjoy it! That way, you can enjoy your nice white couches, while you know your furry friend is enjoying theirs! Here’s some tips to give them a puppy paradise they’ll never want to leave: Zone the space well.

Our little furry friends don’t want to be shoved off into a corner away from the hustle and bustle of family life. Its so important to make sure that they feel part of the commotion, so that they have their space and don’t feel left out. Its so important to their wellbeing to be included. Think about where you situate them. If they’re near a window, will the light wake them up early? If they’re near the front door, will they bark when they hear the neighbours or postman? Is their proposed area in a space of heavy foot traffic, and they’re likely to get in the way or not get any rest as a result?

Planning is key. My recommendation (if the space allows it) is to have a dedicated corner of the main living area/TV room where you spend most of your time, for your pets. This way they can enjoy evening activities, but also get the right amount of sunlight and noise, without taking too much space in other parts of the home. It may require some self control on our part not to get them into the habit of snuggling up with us on the new sofa, but with time, they may be allowed to snuggle at our feet – Hey it’s the little things right?

Find the right kind of pet furniture.

Pet furniture can be a big guessing game (and an expensive one too). Although cane furniture and woven textures are all the rage on Instagram, it’s important to make an investment into something that your fur child will love and use – and most importantly last longer than a few months!

I always suggest having two beds – one for the warmer summer months, and one for the colder winter months. I love seeing a pup in a warm coat or knit when going for a walk outside these days, but more importantly that should be something we think of when it comes to their bed.

For the summer months, I suggest using a lighter material that your doggo won’t get hot on. Something like a Hessian mat, or a cooling memory foam bed would work. And for the winter months, going for a fluffier bed or even a self heating mattress is definitely the way to go. You could also zhuzh up your

fur-friend’s area with their own velvet couch to complement your décor. You don’t have to buy something that is practical but clashes with your aesthetic vibes… Pet areas can be beautiful too!

Photos from suppliers websites

Obviously furry throws, little rugs and sheepskins (or their faux fur equivalent) all help give them their own cute little space that complements your home, but gives them their own identity.

Accessorise!

I know this isn’t what pops to mind when you think about creating a pet area, but why not pop a cute side table with a dimmable lamp and a framed photo of you and your four-legged best friend (from Love Tails Photography of course!) next to your fur-babies’ bed? Notice that I didn’t go with the most expensive items for their area to complement your home? Yet I wasn’t sacrificing on style. You could even throw a really cute plush toy like this sloth or llama for them to cuddle up with and watch the telly with.

Doing little bits of accessorising brings together your doggo’s area, and ties it into the rest of the home. Like it was intentional. Like you put a lot of thought into the design (which you have). Like they belong as part of the family and not an afterthought. Not to mention, their area will be the envy of all your friends and family (and possibly all over Instagram)!

Here’s a quick mood board I threw together with some of the pieces I mentioned in the blog and showcasing how your pet haven could compliment your home without breaking the bank (or sacrificing style).

Creating a style for your pet should be an extension of your home and your own unique style. Hopefully these tips helped to get your creative juices flowing, and thinking about making the best pet-friendly area for your baby.

I’d love to see what your thoughts are and what areas you create! Feel free to follow me on Instagram and Facebook and send me ideas you’re thinking about. Happy to answer any questions you may have.

Nathan x

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Follow Nathan at Instagram.com/tailorandnest for more style tips or just go wild and book him to create a stylish pet friendly sanctuary in your home (or any other area in your home!).