The Best Rugs for Pet Owners, According to Interior Designers | Martha Stewart

2022-12-08 11:48:46 By : Ms. vicky xu

Pets are beloved members of any household, so you'll want to make sure your home provides an inviting environment specific to them—and to maintain the quality of your own décor in the process. That includes the rugs around your house. To do so, Jade McNeil, the owner and principal of Jade McNeil Interiors and a pet owner, avoids placing light-hued rugs across her own floors. "I recommend looking for a darker rug or something with a pattern to hide any marks from your pet," she says.

As for other things to look out for when it comes to shopping for carpets as a pet parent? Consider the material, rug pile, and cleaning instructions for each piece. These are the key principles that Erin Coren of Curated Nest follows. "We lean towards a variety of indoor/outdoor rugs and pillows inside the home, as they are performance fabrics and repel stains. They can also be doubled outside for a cohesive extension of the interior," she says. "For material, we find that man-made fibers, such as nylon, polyester, and polypropylene, are always better for pets. Shy away from viscose, since it doesn't clean well." It's also important to turn to rugs with short cut piles. These are great for pet-filled homes, since looped pile rugs can snag on a pet's nails and long, shag varieties can be tough to clean.

If you're in search of a pet-friendly rug to add in your home, read on. We've shared the best options on the market to splash across your floors.

Related: 10 Washable Rugs That Are as Beautiful as They Are Easy to Clean

This geometric runner not only features a unique design that mirrors ink lines, but it is also water-resistant, stain-resistant, and machine-washable. It offers "a cool and chic style to the standard runner," McNeil says. "The best part is if your pet has any accidents, you can throw it right in the washing machine!" Simply detach the rug from the pad and add it to a load of laundry to get it clean again.

"When you have pets and high traffic areas, you want to keep in mind that high performance fabrics and rugs are essential," Mary Maloney, the owner of Bee's Knees Interior Design, says of choosing the most pet-friendly rugs for your home. That's why she loves rugs like this one from Article, as "the synthetic fibers of the material keeps it safe from any messes." The piece has an ombré woven pattern and is eco-friendly (it's made of recycled plastic bottles).

Polyester is a great rug material if you have pets. Coren suggests this option from Serena & Lily, since you can blot away spills (or accidents) for easy cleanup. The handwoven piece also features soft, fringed edges, making it a modern staple you'll treasure for years to come.

This rug from Revival is made of 100 percent OEKO-TEX-certified recycled polyester and features a grippy base, making it slip-resistant for anyone making their way over it—including your pets.

Whether you need to shake out a rug covered in fur or spray it down with water, Coren says the process will be easy if you choose this indoor/outdoor rug from Annie Selke. The navy, striped handmade piece is inspired by the designer's personal antique collection. It's also lightweight, low profile, and reversible, making it incredibly versatile to use inside or outside of your home. 

Pet parents and their furry family members alike can make messes in the house, making it all the more reason to get a rug that will disguise any accidents. "The striation pattern helps to hide marks from your pet and is made from polyester, which means it is stain resistant and extremely easy to keep clean!" McNeil says. "The all-cut pile (as opposed to loops) also helps with pets who like to scratch and pull out fibers—so your rug will always look as good as new." 

Opt for this rug, from Martha's personal collection. As a longtime pet owner, she designed this polyester floor covering (our interior designers' go-to rug material) with durability in mind: It has a medium pile, allowing for even wear and underfoot comfort. Customers should shop for a matching rug pad underneath to add even more comfort and prevent slipping. 

"These rugs from West Elm can be used indoors or outdoors and are made of polyester with the feel of high-quality wool," says Maloney. Artisans created this colorful rug in particular with aged Turkish textile design in mind. 

Both washable and durable, Coren says that this pet-friendly rug is also great because it can "help you create a space to live in with style." The carpeting comes in black and bone hues and is inspired by ancient Greek key patterns. 

"Any rug from New England family business, Landry & Arcari is a great option because they have the best quality rugs for the best prices," Maloney shares of this pet-friendly rug with traditional Moroccan design and wool fibers.