During the pandemic, our pets have played an even greater part in our lives, offering endless companionship and joy. As a result, the demand for pet-friendly interior design has never been higher. Hunkering down with our furry friends, we realised that our interiors need to withstand the wear and tear, and ensure that the environment is safe for them.
Happy cat
One of the most important factors in keeping your beloved cat happy and healthy, is to ensure she has an optimal living environment. Everyone knows that cats instinctively love to have high places to perch on to have a good vantage point, nooks to hide in and under, and, of course, have sufficient surfaces to scratch on. No matter how happy they are, our feline friends will always claw, bite, sometimes knock over and possibly break things. Don’t worry, though – I have numerous tips to help you design a purrr-fect environment for your cat without a hint of a ‘cat lady’ vibe.
Incorporating cat decor
When we think of designs for cats, the obvious one that comes to mind is the ugly carpet cat condo; yet, there is a wealth of ingenious designs available – spanning from functional to luxurious – with many surprises in store, guaranteed to suit every aesthetic. Think vertical playgrounds: creating makeshift cat staircases and elevated walkways are easily achievable using wooden boards and some simple brackets, creating a labyrinth of different exploring options for your feline, while not compromising the design of your home. You can even adapt these to be dual-purpose – displaying your objects d’art or books as well. I love this elevated installation, showing how the clean-lined feline walkways remain in keeping with their overall concept.
Easy ideas include floating shelf configurations, which are a terrific way to combine your needs with that of your cat’s. Leroy Merlin stock a nice variety, or your carpenter can easily create bespoke live edge ones.
Hanging baskets
Here in South Africa, artisanal baskets are readily available. Affixing a largish one to the wall and putting a sheepskin or cushion inside, makes for a cosy nook – there’s nothing a cat loves more than being in a basket, and fixed on the wall gives a very Scandinavian vibe. Recently, there has been a renaissance for macramé products, and there are multiple workshops and kits available – a hanging macramé potholder with a basket inside makes for a great spot for Mog to perch.
Scratch board
Observing cats is a huge part of understanding them. We know they love to scratch and sharpen their claws, and nothing beats an aesthetically pleasing natural scratch board. So, why not look for something interesting and different?
I’m often asked to source cat-compatible rugs. While there is no perfect scratch- or urine-resistant solution, I always recommend a nubby woven rug, like thick sisal or jute, which are pretty resistant and can stand the test of time. Basically, anything looped should be avoided. Polypropylene rugs are also a safe and durable option – made of completely non-toxic fibres. It’s a great pet-friendly option, since the extremely thin pile means that clawing will create minimal snags, and the rug can be wiped or even hosed down.
Vertical mat
When considering the entrance to the home, a thick, natural coir doormat is a favourite with many cats, and is super long-lasting. Another tip is to buy a plain coir mat and stick it to a cupboard door – cats love vertical scratching, and it won’t deteriorate over time.
Fabrics
Unfortunately, there isn’t any fabric that is really cat-friendly; however, the finer the weaves are, the better they last. Anything with a ‘hook’ should be avoided, since a cat’s claws can easily drag out the fabric. Synthetic materials, such as microfibre or microsuede, are typically quite a good choice for cat owners, owing to the extremely thin fabric fibres, and tend to be tougher and scratch- and stain-resistant.
Another fabric worth considering for upholstery is velvet, because of its characteristic dense pile of short-cut fibres. The soft pile weave is also snuggly for Mog to snooze on. Many contract grade velvets are wipeable and, if money is no object, mohair velvet is uber luxurious and extremely durable.
Window seat
One simple change that can be made to any home is to install deeper windowsills, allowing Moggie a bigger space to curl up on. I’m a big advocate for biophilic design, and this can also extend to cats – so, why not consider growing some wheatgrass in a tray and placing it on a windowsill for her to lie on, introducing a feeling of wellbeing into the home also.
Litterbox
Let’s not forget about litterboxes. We know they are an essential for cats, but there are a number of innovative examples, concealing the box itself. Many are easy to build yourself or with the help of a good carpenter.
Go on – tweak your home to make it more welcoming to your feline friend. And, if you’re stuck, feel free to contact me for design advice at naomi@scott-dunneinteriors.design, or follow me on Instagram @scottdunneinteriors right meow!
By Naomi Scott-Dunne, Professional Interior Designer and IID Johannesburg Ambassador
