How to Protect Your Floors When You Have Pets (Without Sacrificing Your Home’s Style)

I love my pets, but I don’t particularly love what they do to my floors. Between muddy paws, spilled water, shedding, the occasional hairball and whatever mysterious substance someone has tracked through the house, keeping the floors clean is pretty much an ongoing project. And with six cats and a dog, I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as a completely mess-proof home. You can make it a whole lot easier to maintain, though. One thing I’ve found particularly helpful is using mats and rugs strategically throughout the house. And not just on hard floors, either. We have both tile and carpeting, and I actually use area rugs and mats over the carpet quite a bit. Of course, rugs and mats are only part of the equation. Here are some practical ways to protect your floors from the everyday wear and tear that comes with sharing your home with pets. Our Favorite Designer Mats & Rugs Porte + Hall Pet-Friendly Doormats, Rugs, Runners, and Area Mats Porte + Hall offers stylish, durable doormats, runners and area mats designed to protect floors from dirt, moisture and everyday wear. With low-profile designs, slip-resistant backing and easy-to-clean materials, they're a practical choice f...