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Floor -

Carpets are a no-no if you have pets. Go for something hard and smooth, such as tile, polished concrete, or even laminate flooring.

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Hide wires and cords -

Cats and dogs love to chew on stuff, including these. Tuck them away.

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Paint -

A semi-gloss paint will make your walls easier to clean than a matte one, so take this into account the next time you decide to paint a room.

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Stain-resistant fabrics -

Crypton, for instance, is a strong synthetic fabric that can handle a lot of abuse.

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Velvet -

Velvet is also a great fabric that can be used in a wide range of things, including upholstery. Why? Because it has no loops, so cats won't stick their claws in it.

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Leather -

Leather is also a great fabric if you have pets. It doesn't stain as easily as other fabrics and it's easy to clean.

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Vacuum cleaner -

Buy a powerful vacuum cleaner and use it often. Hair does get everywhere, all the time!

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Rope it up -

If you have cats at home, you can wrap rope around table legs, or even around pipes, so they can scratch them.

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Plants -

Hanging plants are a great option if you want to have plants at home but also want to keep them away from your pets.

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Lint roller -

Use these, and use them often. While vacuuming is great, having these at hand is very practical, especially for clothes.

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Closed storage -

It's important to have everything secure in closed storage. Cabinets, cupboards, and boxes are your friends.

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Shoe rack -

Most dogs would happily chew on your shoes all day. Keep them away to prevent this.

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Get rid of small decoration objects -

Knickknacks and pets don't combine. You're better off putting them away.

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Put them here instead -

A cabinet with glass-panel doors is perfect to display whatever you want while keeping your home pet-proof at the same time.

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Low-pile rugs -

These will be easier to clean and not as inviting to "digging."

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Pet door -

These are great if you have a house and access to an outside area that is safe for your pets. They'll love being able to move around, and you won't have to open and close doors all the time.

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Protect your garden -

Some plants and flowers can be poisonous, so fence the area around any plants or flowers you don't want your pets to reach.

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Color coordinate -

This is more of a decor tip. When choosing a bed for your pet, play around with the color scheme of your home, and the colors of the animal too.

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Extra padding -

Place a couple of rugs on the floor in front of you couch. These will work as "landing pads" for when they jump from the couch onto the floor.

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Trash can -

Make sure your trash can has a solid lid that's not easy to open. Never, ever, have an open one.

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Childproof latches -

Pets are clever, and they'll learn to open cabinets! Use these to keep them safe.

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Nail caps -

If scratching is really an issue, this can be a viable solution.

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Gate -

Yes, just like the ones you'd get for a child. These can be useful to block access to areas such as the kitchen or stairs.

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Patterns -

When buying a rug, go with small intricate patterns instead of big ones. Any stains or damage to the rug won't be as noticeable. 

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Fireplace -

If you have an open fireplace, then a screen is a must-have if you have pets.

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Keep your bathroom door closed -

You don't want your pets in the bathroom. Chewing on a bar of soap or drinking water from the toilet is not good for your pet.

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Pantry -

Keep away dangerous foods such as chocolate or garlic in your kitchen cupboards.

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Moth balls -

These are a mix of chemical pesticide and deodorant, and you don't want your pets to eat them. Ensure you keep them away.

See also: These pampered pets will put a smile on your face

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