Pet-friendly house design is about more than ample backyard space and a corner for a litter box. Today’s designers are getting creative with features that cater to both owners and pets, all while maintaining stylish decor. But is it really possible to harmonize pet amenities and beautiful interiors? Here are some pet-friendly home design ideas to pamper your furry loved ones.
Multi-Use Pet Nook
The best pet-friendly features blend in with the environment while taking advantage of underutilized space. One great design strategy involves transforming unused areas into multi-functional pet nooks. Try removing a cabinet to create room for plush beds while installing a slide-out drawer for food bowls. Integrate pet bowls and food storage into kitchen islands, cabinetry or other built-ins to keep dining organized and aesthetically pleasing. Concealed stations are great for preventing clutter while keeping supplies easily accessible.
Mudrooms Do Double-Duty
Once a relative afterthought, mudrooms have become an intriguing home design staple for modern homeowners who appreciate convenience and functionality. Making use of this transitional space avoids clutter in the main living areas. Large mudrooms between the garage and house also provide ample storage for leashes, toys, beds and other pet essentials. Bench seating allows for easy shoe removal, while lockers keep backpacks organized.
Elegant Yet Durable Fabrics
Thanks to washable high-end fabrics like linen and velvet, pet owners can now add texture and warmth without worrying about durability. These luxury yet laundry-friendly textiles complement and enhance rather than detract from the overall aesthetic. This makes them an essential design element in modern homes that need beautiful, pet-friendly textiles.
The same goes for furnishings. To balance beauty with durability, choose resilient, easy-care upholstery like leather, vinyl or neutral-performance fabrics to withstand pet wear and tear. Textured heavy fabrics trap hair and odors, so opt for smooth, wipeable surfaces instead.
Convenient Outdoor Access
For a graceful middle-of-night potty trip, consider a pet door accessing the yard directly from the master bedroom. This allows you to avoid disturbing the whole household by taking the dog out through the most convenient exit closest to leash storage.
Hidden Pet Beds
Tuck plush, cozy pet beds into furniture nooks, custom cabinetry or even walls for a seamless, integrated look. Built-in beds save floor space while providing pets a comfortable refuge within the home’s overall design scheme.
At-home Dog Washing Stations
Today’s savvy pet parents are trading back-breaking tub baths for bespoke bowser-washing alcoves. Built within tucked-away nooks, these specialized spaces feature waist-level faucets, raised tubs and adjustable shower heads for sudsing up small and medium dogs with ease. Tile walls and floors help contain the inevitable sprays and shakes. With your own private dog washing station, Fido can get a five-star clean without creating a mess in the master bath.
Subtle customized details simplify living with animals without compromising your beautiful living space. With strategic planning, you can integrate specialized amenities to accommodate both pets and design sensibilities for a functional home everyone will love.
