Dog and cat owners alike would agree that their pets are a part of their family. As the home is the family hub, there are functional (and fashionable) ways to give our furry friends their own space. Consider these innovative ways to incorporate your pet’s basic needs, like grooming, feeding, going outside, and sleeping into your home’s interior design.
Tips for Designing Pet-Friendly Spaces in Your Home
1. Good-Looking Grooming Stations
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Adorable as they may be, pets track in an array of dirt, fur, and unwanted substances into the home. Adding a pet washing station is a handy way to handle the mess. A mudroom or laundry room is an ideal place to clean your pet off before it enters the rest of the home.
With easy-to-clean surfaces and a connection to a water source, the logistics of a pet washing station in your laundry room just make sense. If your laundry room has a door, the ability to enclose your pet inside while they dry keeps clean-up efficient. Accessible cabinetry is a bonus for storing grooming supplies like brushes, shampoo, and conditioner.
Designers have even added rods to double the usage of the washing station, so you can dry your clothes. One could also throw snowshoes or muddy cleats into the station for a quick hose-off. You will find you use the pet washing station for more family members than just your pet!
2. Say Bye to Boring Pet Bowls
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Feeding time for your pet factors in food storage, water accessibility, and placement. Consider, “Does your pet want to eat with the family?” If so, adding a custom built-in for your dog bowls in your cabinetry or island in the kitchen both keeps your bowls in place (to avoid any spillage) and makes use of empty space.
Cabinetry is a convenient place to conceal any pet food or pet bowls outside of mealtimes. If you buy your dry pet food in bulk, pull-out trash bins are a great place to put your bags, while fresh pet food may need refrigerator drawers. Adding an adjacent drawer with your pet bowls brings ease. Pot filler faucets above pet bowls are a savvy way to say goodbye to any sloshing.
3. Dual Purpose Pet Fun
Source: House Beautiful
Granting your pet the ability to go and play as they wish is the greatest way to incorporate them into your home. Hidden doggy doors inside built-ins both provide a buffer from the wind blowing open the door and a way for your pet to pop outside with ease.
Source: House Beautiful
Did you know art and shelving could double as a cat tower? Designers have used floating shelves with carpet or scratching textures on them as a cat tower. You could also add a side table for your cat to climb on with storage underneath.
4. Cozy Crating
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Just as you carefully curate your bedroom, consider your pet’s beds as well. Adding a cozy nook into your built-in, rather than a lower cabinet, offers your pet a place to burrow. To make the most of your space, you could also add a custom crate into your cabinetry or Murphy beds.
Choosing complimentary fabrics for your pet bed incorporates them into the home and is a chance to bring in new patterns and colors. A cheerful stripe or gingham can also hide fur. Durability of the fabric is important to consider, for wear and tear and cleanability.
With better purpose and intent in your design choices, there is ease in your everyday life. Tasks like letting the dog outside or entertaining your cat are complete by considering them in the design of your home. After all, a home better suited for your pet is a home better suited for you.
Let’s transform your space together!
Schedule your free discovery call today, and I’ll help you create a home that’s perfect for every member of your family, including your furry friends.