Fake Grass for Pets: 5 Common Questions

March 30, 2022 by Suzanne Lasky

Make your backyard a dream come true for you and your four-legged companions! Pets require time outside and deserve a place to play, relax, and enjoy themselves. Artificial grass may give all of the benefits of natural grass without the hassles of upkeep, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as dealing with dirt and holes.

S Interior Design believes good design and pets as part of our families go ‘hand in paw’. As a dog owner located in Scottsdale, Arizona who has a back yard with grass I have often wondered about the pros and cons of using artificial grass. This article answered many of my questions.

Explore the greatest alternatives below if you’re ready to take the next step with fake grass that’s suitable for your visitors and pet companions. Many pet owners are naturally irritated by having to wipe their dog’s muddy paws every time they let him out in the garden. And the dirt they carry inside not only causes a mess, but it may also make your house smell bad and attract unwelcome creatures like fleas and ticks.

Additionally, actual grass might expose your dog to a variety of health risks. For these reasons, dog-proof artificial grass appeals to a large number of pet owners across the country. However, many people have worries or queries, such as: Is it true that pee has an effect on the grass? What is the greatest dog-friendly artificial grass? What is the best way to set it up? Is there any upkeep required?

We have written this guide to help answer those questions and to offer a complete guide to dog-resistant turf that’ll help you decide if artificial grass is right for you and your pet.

We are inherently inquisitive creatures. We demand answers to all of our questions! What exactly is this? Why do I desire it? What am I going to use it for? And we want to make sure that whatever investment we make pays off. When making a major decision like installing artificial turf, you’ll want to be sure you’ve made the best choices possible.

We want to assist you in making that decision.

Question 1: Is It Harmless to Dogs?

Artificial grass is completely safe for pets. Artificial grass that is of good quality can endure the wear and tear of doggie nails and teeth. Artificial turf cannot be dug through by dogs, thus there is no risk of ingesting or injury. There are types of artificial grass that have a filler that may be placed in the turf to assist reduce urine odors.

Artificial turf is, in some respects, safer for dogs than natural grass. Unlike a weed-free yard, turf does not necessitate the use of hazardous chemicals for maintenance.

Question 2: Is it Simple to Remove Dog Urine From Fake Grass?

If an installer tells you that the rain will wash it away and that you don’t need to clean it, he isn’t the correct fit for you. If the installer claims it’s maintenance-free, he doesn’t understand the science of odor, and you’ll be stuck with a stink. If he tells you to apply a cleaner on your grass on a regular basis, he’s someone who understands what he’s talking about.

Question 3: Is Artificial Grass Water-Required?

Natural grass lawns and sports fields consume tens of thousands of gallons of water each year, which is one of the reasons why so many homes, companies, sports teams, and schools are opting for synthetic turf as a low-water alternative. Synthetic lawns, on the other hand, are not water-free solutions. Your fake grass does not require water for the most part, but there are a few instances where you may need or want to water it.

The most typical application of water on artificial grass is to rinse it clean of dust and dirt. Most people can maintain their lawn clean and green by spraying it down once or twice a month, but if you live in a very dusty location, you may need to spray it down more frequently. You’ll also need to use water to hose off any locations where your dogs go to the bathroom. After you’ve removed the solid trash, wash the area with a garden hose to get rid of any liquids.

Some people like to sprinkle their fake grass with a garden hose before their children or dogs play on it with bare feet or paws in particularly hot, sunny places. Some schools and organizations softly spritz down synthetic turf before games or practices to lessen the risk of some sorts of injuries, making this another way that some artificial grass pitches may require water on occasion.

Question 4: Can Dogs Damage the Fake Grass?

Turf is a strong competitor! An artificial grass lawn would be nearly impossible for your dog to destroy. A nefarious digger will have a far easier time ruining your grass lawn than an artificial turf lawn. In addition, unlike natural grass, artificial turf will not discolor as a result of dog feces.

In general, a synthetic grass lawn is a fantastic alternative for dog owners. To obtain that beautiful, always-green look, there is minimal upkeep. We’re willing to bet your spoiled pup won’t notice the difference.

Question 5: How To Clean Artificial Grass for Dogs?

Liquids drain efficiently through the material to a lower subfloor when using fake grass for dogs. You can keep your fake grass rolls and carpets clean by cleaning away any dirt or debris and hosing them down on a regular basis. You can clean your fake grass using a moderate home detergent and warm water solution for minor stains and imperfections.

If you’re worried about the scent of animal urine, a solution of distilled white vinegar and equal parts water can freshen and clean your artificial grass. You may use this simple, DIY cleaning solution on a weekly basis without harming your pet’s health.

Conclusion

Installation of artificial grass is becoming increasingly popular among pet owners. In place of regular lawns, an increasing number of dog parks and daycare centers are also installing pet turf. This is because it is a surface that is pleasing to both animals and people. You may have heard the benefits of artificial grass: it can be used all year, requires no maintenance, and looks just like genuine grass. It may restore a discolored lawn’s green color and give a safe haven for children’s dirty paws.

How To Turn Your Space Into An Industrial Masterpiece

June 29, 2018 by Suzanne Lasky

Below is a guest post from a provider of epoxy flooring (full disclosure….). S Interior Design agreed to share the post because it contains good ideas on how to introduce the style of industrial design into your home.

The Industrial Revolution is the age of steam engines, smoke-belching machines, and large factories. When companies started moving their operations elsewhere, these large factories were left to rot. To make use of these wide spaces, some people chose to convert the warehouses and offices into homes. This was the birth of industrial interior design.

The industrial interior design focuses on taking notable shapes and features used during the Industrial Revolution and turning them into something modern. This does not mean that that your entire place should look like a warehouse, instead, interior designers will strive to add a modern twist to the industrial feel of a room.

If you’re wondering how you can do this without the help of an interior designer, then follow these tips.

Find your inspiration

The Industrial Revolution brought a lot of mechanical pieces to the world and you can add them to your home. But before doing this, it’s best to know the inspiration behind a room. What do you plan to do with the room? What is it supposed to be? How is it supposed to function?

Once you figure that out, you can search for inspiration online or from magazines about the industrial interior design. You don’t have to copy them piece by piece, but you will at least have an idea of what kind of industrial feel you want to portray in your room.

Design your floor

One of the most notable parts of your room is your floor. If you want an obvious industrial look, then you might want to change the type of floor you have. Usually, an industrial look has a cement floor with an epoxy coating to make it shiny and flawless. An epoxy coating adds extra protection as well.

You don’t also have to stick to the color of cement. You can paint your floor the shade of gray you want to resemble a metallic look or you can go for monochromatic colors of black and white. Tip: if you don’t want to change your floor, you can paint the walls instead. You can either have a bricked brown wall, or a silver-painted one.

Mix and match metal and wood

When it comes to mixing modern and industrial styles, you don’t have to be cautious about having metal and wood in the same room. Some people think that these two do not go together as metal items give a sleeker look to things. However, with the right match, you can still make use of that old wooden table you may have.

Keep it minimalistic

Despite having accessories on your wall or mechanical clocks and lights, an industrial interior design is still supposed to be minimalistic. This means that you have to shy away from over-decorating your space or adding too much fluff to it. As a guide, always ask if it’s bulky or the color scheme is too loud.

Put these tips together and you can already design your own industrial-inspired room. If you are having a hard time, you can get cut-outs of the things you want to put and try putting them together to know if they will look good in the space you have.

Ideas To Design a Symmetrical Kitchen

May 26, 2015 by Suzanne Lasky

We are hard wired to appreciate a symmetrical balanced design style, or one that is asymmetrical. S Interior Design strives to understand which direction their clients lean prior to our development of their design plan. This post deals specifically with symmetrical design ideas for kitchen design.

A formal definition of symmetry: having sides or halves that are the same : having or showing symmetry
You describe something as asymmetric when it lacks the mirror-image quality of symmetry.

Below is a guest post specifically on achieving symmetrical design in a kitchen.

How to Achieve Symmetry in Kitchen Design

Symmetry creates visual balance, which brings with it a sense of order and peace. Striving for symmetry in your kitchen design can make your kitchen a more relaxing and enjoyable space to work in. This is especially important, considering the kitchen is often the most used room in the house. The following design ideas can help you bring much-needed symmetry to your own kitchen’s design.

Look to the Light

Lighting is one of the first places where asymmetrical choices can affect the mood. Begin first by balancing the overhead fixtures. Replace a single off-center fixture with two evenly spaced fixtures, or use a larger center fixture. This will add balance to the room.

H/T thekitchn.com

If your kitchen has a large window at one end, hang a mirror at the other end or use mirrored tiles for a back splash opposite the window. This will help balance the light from the window.

Rooms with additional lighting, such as task or under cabinet lights, also benefit from symmetry. Make sure these lights are used evenly throughout the room, or that the fixtures are hidden away when the lights aren’t in use.

Shelving and Storage

Your storage solutions are another simple way to add symmetry to the kitchen. If you have exposed shelves or storage, opt for two of each. For example, frame in each end of your pantry with exposed shelves. If you run shelves above the sink, use an even number. The goal is to keep everything balanced.

Seating Strategies

A large kitchen island doubles as an in-kitchen eating area, homework station, or just a place to relax. This means you need seating in your kitchen.

The amount of seating depends on the size of your island. Generally, you can easily fit up to three stools along one side of an island. One stool will look unbalanced, while two or three provide more symmetry. Make sure the stools all have the same color and design so they can carry the symmetrical look to completion.

Cabinet Balancing

Cabinets are a more costly change, but they will provide the most bang for your decorating dollar. Make sure the cabinets you choose are all the same height. You can select cabinets of different widths, but balance them on either side of a focal point. Generally, the focal point is the sink or oven range.

H/T modernir.blogspot.com

Opting for cabinets in a single color can provide a cleaner, more symmetrical look. Also, make sure that the knob or handle design is the same throughout the entire kitchen. For example, avoid opting for handles on drawers and knobs on cabinets; instead, use the same on both the drawers and the cabinet doors.

Finish With the Accessories

Accessories are the final key to symmetrical design. Whether it’s balancing any artwork on the walls, or centering a hanging pot rack perfectly over the center island, balance is necessary. Don’t overlook your counter tops when arranging items. For example, balance a pretty soap dispenser on one side of the sink with a lovely glass vase with a single flower on the other side.

5 Elements of a Perfect Man Cave

March 27, 2015 by Suzanne Lasky

Below is a guest post on the space referred to as the ‘Man Cave’. S Interior Design has also referred to this space as the ‘Men’s Den’. In fact we just completed such a space for a client. An under used guest bedroom was transformed. It included a reclaimed wood tile wall, a custom coffee table that displayed his rifles, custom designed seating and of course—a large television.

[Read more…]

The Rule of 3- By Fresh Home

November 26, 2014 by Suzanne Lasky

Great article about the pleasing use of ‘3′ items, colors, fabrics etc. when decorating and designing.

The rule of three is a guideline that can be bent. Essentially, it was put into place so that people understand that a odd-number of items is more interesting than an even-number of items. So, yes, you can arrange 5 items or 9 items into a grouping and still achieve the same visual interest.

Then again there are people who absolutely love a symmetrical design layout and 2, 4, 6 will work better for their eye.