Pet project

Planning on getting a dog or cat? Make your four-legged friend feel at home with these tips

THE pandemic forced Brits to spend more time at home and encouraged many to adopt an animal friend - but was their house ready for a four-legged resident?

According to recent data, 62% of UK households have a cat or a dog.

Having pets requires the right amount of space and can also make a mess of your property in a hurry if the environment isn't pet-friendly.

Here, the interior design experts at Shuttercraft (shuttercraft.co.uk) share their top tips on how to petproof a home without compromising on safety and design.

Upholstery and furniture

Whether your furry friends spend a lot of time in the human or just walk seats or just around the house, some fabrics are definitely to be avoided.

Velvet is a magnet for fur - so any velvet sofas or curtains would need regular cleaning.

Mohair, corduroy, velour and chenille are also to be avoided, and so are delicate materials like silk as they can get easily damaged.

For durable furniture and upholstery, it's best to invest in high quality synthetic tapestries or smooth leather which is sure to withstand the test of the claws.