Owners of pets can avoid problems by decorating stylishly, strategically

How do you create a stylish living space when a dog that sheds or a cat that scratches is part of the mix?

Designers Mallory Mathison, Janine Carendi and Brian Patrick Flynn offer some tips.

The designers suggest using indoor/outdoor rugs and fabrics. Flynn especially likes the velvetlike durable fabrics made by Sunbrella, which can be washed with soap and water.

"You can even clean a milkshake off it,” he said.

In homes with a new puppy or kitten, Flynn suggests putting the most fragile or treasured pieces of furniture in storage during the early months.

Many pets shed, leaving hair on furniture and floors. There is no easy or one-size-fits-all solution.

It helps to choose colors that blend with the pet’s hair color, though that can be tough in homes with more than one pet.

Flynn said that woven and nubby fabrics may show less pet hair than smoother surfaces. But there also could be a greater risk of damage; pets may be drawn to scratching nubbier weaves.

If your pet has adopted a particular piece of furniture as a napping spot, keep a blanket draped over it. Remove the blanket just before guests arrive.

To wrangle pet gear, Mathison said, "pet centers” are becoming popular. These pieces of furniture include pull-out shelves that can hold the pet’s food and water dishes, and drawers for things such as leashes, brushes and dog sweaters.

Such pieces also can conceal a litter box, a popular idea these days. Carendi also likes ceramic planters with a litter box hidden inside.

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