15 Pet-Friendly Interior Design Ideas Your Furry Friend Will Love
Pets eat, sleep, and relax in our homes just like we do, but most of the time, our decorating and design decisions tend to revolve around the human inhabitants of the house. Now, as more and more households welcome four-legged companions into the family, that might be starting to change. Just as you might refresh your home in anticipation of a new baby or as a child grows up, pet parents are increasingly seeking out features that put their furry friends at the forefront.
Pet-friendly interior design aims to accommodate the comings and goings of our animals, often through custom built-ins and special features designated for feeding times, baths, naps, and more. Ensure the furry members of the family feel at home with these ideas for stylishly incorporating pet-friendly features into your living spaces.
All-in-One Pet Station
A variety of smart features turn a corner of this laundry room into an all-in-one pet zone. Nixing a cabinet in the corner created space for the dog’s bed, while a low drawer pulls out to reveal the cat’s food bowls. A feeding station around the corner includes a spigot for easy water-bowl refills.
Pull Out All the Stops
When it comes to creating a hardworking space, turn to hidden design features. Here, dog bowls pull out of a lower cabinet so they’re not a tripping hazard when not in use. The bowls drop in and out so you can effortlessly drop them in the dishwasher when mealtime is over.
Look Under the Table
For large breeds, look under a laundry or mudroom island for the perfect spot for your big furry friend. While a custom island with a built-in kennel can provide the perfect dimensions, you can also work with what you’ve got by sliding a crate under your island depending on the style and size of your island and kennel.
Built-In Food Bowls
An extension of the island forms a built-in feeding station in this kitchen. Metal food and water bowls fit into custom slots, keeping them in place and out of the flow of traffic. Airtight glass canisters store pet food and treats nearby. Above, a table-height countertop provides a handy spot to drop leashes and other essentials.
Wall-Mounted Cat Bed
Skip bulky cat trees and mount a comfy perch directly to the wall. Choose a sturdy basket and screw it into the wall using extra-large washers, which help distribute the weight and limit wear on the basket’s fibers. Line the interior with a soft blanket to create a snug spot for your cat to survey the room.
Find a Cozy Spot
While creating a nook for your pet’s bed might be helpful for the flow of your home, it can also provide your pet with much-needed peace and security, particularly if your home is bustling. Provide a space for your pet in a less frequented part of the house that they can escape to.
Head Outside
When the weather is nice, there’s nothing like sending your pet outside for fresh air. Give them their own home away from home with a backyard doghouse fit for the pick of the litter. Whether your pet stays outside all day or prefers a jaunt outside, a doghouse can provide a safe and comfortable spot for relaxation when the great outdoors beckons.
Pull-Out Cat Drawer
Try this simple solution to keep the cat’s food bowls out of the way and safe from other pets. Repurpose a shallow toe-kick drawer to create a slide-out feeding station in the kitchen. Here, the cat’s food and other supplies are stored in the cabinet directly above for added convenience.
Hidden Dog Bed
Not sure where to keep your pet’s bed? Consider reworking a cabinet in the laundry room or kitchen into a cozy nook for afternoon naps or nighttime snoozes. Here, a corner cabinet becomes a kennel when outfitted with a plush dog bed and a wire mesh door.
Pet-Washing Station
Streamline bath time with a shower specially designed for your pet. Covered in easy-to-clean subway tile, this dog-washing station includes a raised floor, a handheld sprayer, and a storage niche that holds pet shampoo. Framed photos of the pooches personalize the walls above.
Full-Size Pet Station
For large dogs, a single cabinet isn’t going to cut it. These owners carved out space for their labrador’s bed between built-ins in the mudroom. A painted frame and neutral fabric unite the bed with the rest of the cabinetry, which houses pet food, toys, and other essentials.
Carve Out a Home Base
A spot for sleeping, a spot for eating, all tucked into a side table or nightstand? This is the stuff of a puppy’s dreams. While this might be a tricky feat for larger dogs, it could prove the ideal setup for smaller breeds who don’t need a large bed or lots of space. Be sure the shelf isn’t too high off the ground as it should be easy for your pet to climb into and out of. A matching bowl holder creates a pretty display, but a tidy looking, non-matching set will still work just fine.
DIY a Fido HQ
A large bookcase transforms into a headquarters for your pet. A spot for sleeping, storing food, toys, leashes, and more makes efficiency the name of the game. Commit to the theme by decorating the space with dog-centric art and a pet-friendly area rug underfoot—even better if it’s washable. Be sure to keep dog bowls on a mat that can prevent moisture and messes from staining the flooring below.
Create a Feeding Nook
It can be hard to find floor space to dedicate to a pet-feeding zone, but thinking outside the box can help. Here, a built-in desk features a tucked-away feeding nook that keeps bowls stationary and also corrals any drips and crumbs. A small shelf just above keeps items like treats and other necessities at the ready. The same concept can be applied to non-custom furnishing pieces like a cabinet or bookshelf with just a simple reimagining of the bottom shelf.
Build a Bookshelf Jungle Gym
Forget a store-bought cat tree, you can DIY your own with this method. Floating shelves lined with carpet make a soft landing spot for perching and playing. Be sure to position them appropriately to allow your feline to hop from one to another. Ensure the brackets are properly supported so there’s no risk of one getting loose from the wall. Homemade climbing toys on the floor add one more element of fun, while also playing off the room’s color palette.
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