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We know that keeping your house clean with pets is hard. But throw rented accommodation into the mix, and you have a whole extra layer of stress.
How can you keep your pet-friendly rental tidy? Will the landlord notice that odour? How are you going to clean up that stain?
Plus, when you have a rental, you want to make it feel like yours and your pet’s space. Can you make your space more pet-friendly without tripping over one of the (many) terms in your tenancy agreement?
Relax. We’re here to help.
Here are the best ways to introduce pet-friendly design upgrades in a rental, from pragmatic cleaning stations and odour removers to cosy spots for your tailmate to relax into.
Ten pet-friendly interior design ideas for rented homes
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In a world where we can expect to see more pet-friendly rentals thanks to the Renters’ Rights Act, it’s essential that we make spaces more comfortable for our pets without upsetting our landlords.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Vertical play zones (no power tools needed)
How to: Cats crave height, but drilling into walls is a no-go. Instead, look for tension-pole cat trees that wedge securely between floor and ceiling.
You can also pop suction-cup perches onto sturdy windows for a "catio" feel. Cats love windows, too.
But make sure the window is safe and secure first - you don’t want your cat using it as an escape route.
Why it’s good: Your cats get all the vertical enrichment of a wall-mounted system without leaving a single hole in the plaster.
2. Modular "cat-shelf" bookcases
How to: Take a sturdy, open bookcase (the IKEA Kallax is a classic for a reason) and leave a few cubbies empty. Arrange them in a "staircase" formation so your cat can climb to the top.
Why it’s good: It’s a freestanding feline playground. When it's time to move, you just pack up the books and the cat, and the wall remains pristine.
3. The "Mudroom"
How to: Set up a "Paw Station" right by the front door. Use a decorative storage bench or a basket to hide a mud and paw cleaning kit, with a portable paw-wash cup, towels, and wipes. Place a waterproof silicone mat underneath to catch the drips.
Why it’s good: It stops the British weather from entering your home, ruining your carpets and losing your deposit. Cleaning paws before they hit the carpet is the best way to ensure you aren't paying for professional clean later.
4. Performance velvet everything
How to: If you’re buying a new sofa or a slipcover, go for one made of synthetic performance velvet. It has a tight weave that’s a nightmare for cat claws and immune to dog stains and spills. It’s really easy to clean too.
Why it’s good: It balances strong looks with a pet-proof design. Fur usually just sits on the surface rather than weaving into the fabric, making vacuuming a breeze (unless your dog is terrified of the vacuum, of course). It resists clawing and stains, too.
5. Layered "sacrificial" rugs
How to: Protect the landlord’s hardwood with a large, neutral rug, then layer a smaller, machine-washable rug on top in the "high-traffic" pet zones.
Why it’s good: If the dog has a mishap as you come in from your walk, you aren't scrubbing a 10ft carpet. You just toss the top layer into the washing machine and your base rug (and the floor underneath) stays spotless.
6. Furniture-integrated litter boxes
How to: Swap the plastic tray for a litter box enclosure that looks like a sleek mid-century side table. Many come with internal "mazes" to catch stray litter.
Why it’s good: It hides the "business" from guests and prevents litter from grinding into your rental's floorboards or carpet.
Add some peel-and-stick vinyl inside the cabinet for an extra layer of moisture protection. Just make sure you introduce it to your cat gradually with positive reinforcement training (meaning plenty of praise and treats!).
7. Biophilic "pet grass" windowsills
How to: Use Spider Plants, Boston Ferns, or Calatheas to create a lush indoor garden. They are completely non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Why it’s good: It satisfies your pet’s urge to "graze" without them destroying your house plants (or getting poorly). Use command-strip acrylic shelves to keep the pots off the actual windowsill to avoid water rings.
8. Elevated bowls
How to: Ditch the plastic bowls for elevated ones.
Why it’s good: Elevated bowls may be better for your pet's posture and digestion, and heavy ceramic is much harder for a playful puppy to flip over and spill onto your floor.
9. Command-hook art galleries
How to: Create a tribute to your tailmate with minimalist line-art portraits. Use damage-free Command strips to hang lightweight frames.
Why it’s good: It adds a splash of personality while celebrating your friendship with your pet. When you leave, the strips pull off cleanly - trust us.
10. Peel-and-stick "zone" flooring
How to: In the feeding area or by the back door, lay down some removable vinyl tiles. They come in gorgeous patterns and stick right onto the existing floor.
Why it’s good: They act as a "shield" against water bowls and muddy paws. When your rental is up, a quick blast with a hairdryer helps them peel right off, leaving the original floor as good as new.
How to eliminate pet odours in a rented home (without losing your deposit)
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Picture it: you’re moving out, your old flat is completely clean and you’re confident you’re getting your bond back. But then it happens - your landlord smells that something is off, and you’re charged for a deep clean anyway.
It’s frustrating. As pet parents, we sometimes become immune to our pet’s scent. When an outsider, like your landlord, checks the property, they may still smell your pet’s odour despite there being no obvious mess.
Here’s how to eliminate smells in a rented home and protect your deposit at the same time:
Air purifiers
These can filter out stubborn pet odours by neutralising gas molecules, helping eliminate that “dander smell” from your home.
Charcoal deodorisers
Activated charcoal or carbon can remove odours through a process called adsorption. These don’t just mask the odour; they eliminate it.
Just make sure your pet doesn’t eat any of it, as large amounts of loose charcoal can cause an upset tummy (meaning more cleaning for you) and intestinal blockage.
Enzyme cleaners (and why they’re better than steam cleaners)
Enzyme cleaners contain live bacteria that eats up the nasty stuff, like pee, poop and vomit. Instead of masking the smell, it breaks them down into water and carbon dioxide which smell like nothing.
These are preferred over steam cleaners, as steam can bake in stains, damage surfaces and re-soil areas.
Neutralise carpet odours
Carpets can trap in smells for a long time, so make sure you neutralise them before you move out, ideally when your pet’s already in your new property. Sprinkle baking soda on the carpets, let it sit for a few hours and then vacuum it up.
Steam cleaning works too, but it carries the risk of damage.
The old-fashioned deep clean
Sometimes, you just need to rely on the old deep clean. Using a mix of the cleaning methods above, we’re sure you’ll get your deposit back.
Practical "Muddy Paws" solutions for carpeted rentals
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Now, what if your rented property has carpeted floors? How do you avoid the dreaded muddy paws ruining the whole flooring problem?
Most rentals tend to have beige or light-coloured carpets too, so this is a key concern.
Our recommendation here is proactivity: get an entryway cleaning station together to clean muddy paws post-walk.
Here’s how:
The setup: Keep a small tray or a basket by your front door with a pet-safe paw cleaner, a dedicated "mud towel," and a spray bottle of water.
Why it works: You clean the paws inside the container before the dog ever touches the floor. For rentals, this eliminates the "drip trail" from the door to the bathroom.
Adding things like a washable runner carpet near the entryway can help, too.
Does pet insurance cover damage to rented property?
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Most pet insurance policies won’t cover damage to rented property. You’ll likely want to find specific third-party liability cover that protects against contents or a specific content insurance plan that has a pet damage add-on.
Pet-friendly material comparison for renters and landlords
| Area | For cats | For dogs | Why it's good for renting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upholstery | Performance velvet | Distressed leather | Velvet is snag-resistant (no claw marks to hide); Leather wipes clean from mud/slobber. |
| Flooring | Low-pile rugs | Luxury vinyl (LVT) | Rugs are portable; LVT protects the landlord's original floors from scratches and spills. |
| Storage | Vertical shelves | Lidded baskets | Using freestanding shelves avoids wall damage; Baskets keep "chewables" out of sight. |
| Window care | Top-down blinds | Heavy linen drapes | Avoids the "bent slat" look of cheap plastic blinds; Linen is breathable and easy to wash. |
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Frequently asked questions
How to protect the sofa from dog pee?
Pee on furniture is a bit of a nightmare, but you can keep on top of it. We’d recommend using:
Enzyme cleaners
Lots of throws on the sofa, just in case something like this happens
Waterproof sofa covers
Your dog is likely housetrained, so if they’re suddenly peeing indoors, please take them to a vet. It can indicate an underlying behaviour or medical issue.
How to protect furniture from chewing and scratching?
Our article on how to stop pets scratching furniture can help here, but essentially, you should use positive reinforcement training and provide alternatives to help rectify the behaviour.
We wouldn’t recommend things like bitter sprays, as they’re a form of negative reinforcement.
How to keep pet hair off furniture?
To clean it up, we’d recommend using things like:
Dryer sheets
Lint rollers and tape
Rubber gloves and damp squeegees
Pumice stones
Vacuuming
But being proactive is best, so covering your sofa with blankets and making sure you’re regularly grooming your pet is essential.
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