It isn’t just the people we share our home with we need to consider when decorating – there’s also the cats and dogs (or other animals) in our lives.

Like it or not, our pets are definitely part of the family and they bring along their own toys and possessions. Here are a few design tips to help keep your pets happy and your animal loving home looking gorgeous.

Take a good long look around your home – where would be the most sensible place for your pet to call their own space? It does not have to be the kitchen or utility room. It could be the hall way, the landing or even the spare room – the choice is yours. Once your pet space has been agreed, start to add your animal’s personal bits and pieces.

Jazz up the wall
A photograph of your pet or an animal theme mounted low down at pet level will instantly add fun and segregate the area.

A place for food bowls
A fun mat to place food bowls on will again help segregate the pet’s special area. The mat does not have to be one sold especially for the pet market – children’s table mats have great designs too. Alternatively, download a photograph of your pet and have it turned into a pet mat at one of the many online photo print shops. A shallow drawer fitted into the kickboard of your kitchen is a great place to store pet bowls and act as a neat eating area.

Pet bed choices
What is your preferred choice of bed and what is it made from? There are many choices from custom-built to adapting an existing item. Think about the size of the bed in relation to the size of your pet so that you don’t need to take up any room than is necessary.

The built-in bed
A space saving and practical idea is a built in bed, which slots seamlessly between drawer and cupboard units, taking up no extra floor space. For a minimalist look, a tiny doorway discreetly tucked into the corner of built-in wall unit is a quirky retreat for the house cat.

Customise
Customisation is currently bang on trend – re-use an old suitcase, piano stool or wooden crate by lining it with a soft cushion covered with fabric to match your choice of interiors.

Colour
To avoid your pet’s space looking out of place, dress with colour to match the existing palette of your home. Cushions covered in the same fabric as your curtains, or a coordinating throw or blanket that can be easily laundered is a sensible choice.