Pet owners agree that our furry friends are more than just a pet — they’re a part of the family. In fact, a new trend finds pet owners prioritizing their furry family members when making design decisions about their home. And there are a lot of opportunities to make your dream home pet-friendly by adding special features for convenience and fun.
Smart Pet Door
Built-in pet doors have come a long way in recent years. Today’s pet owners have a lot more options to integrate into their home’s design. From energy-efficiency to motorized, high-tech pet doors that help you monitor the comings and goings of your pets even from afar.
Pet Dining and Feeding Nook
Creating a pet feeding station within your kitchen or mud room. Pets can be enthusiastic eaters, which may leave behind clutter and messes — especially if you have more than one pet. Consider these features:
- Add pet food storage to your home’s kitchen cabinets or in the pantry to keep pet food bags from taking up unwanted space. It also prevents pets from helping themselves between meal time.
- Add a drawer that comes out to reveal pet bowls or build the bowls into a lower level shelf. You can even install a faucet near your pet food station to make it easier to refill water bowls.
- A permanent outdoor water bowl can be incorporated into your home’s landscape by placing a sturdy basin underneath an outdoor water spigot to ensure your pet has access to water throughout the summer.
Pet Bathing Station
If you’ve ever tried washing your dog in the tub you know what a disaster it can be. Many homeowners have started incorporating a pet-sized walk-in bathing station in a mudroom or garage to make bath time easier. The design’s open concept allows for dogs of all sizes to fit inside the tub. A handheld shower head keeps your pup and the water inside the tub.
Paw and Claw Safe Flooring
To minimize the effects your pet’s claws will have on your flooring, opt for a more durable option like a luxury vinyl plank (LVP). LVP flooring is much sturdier than traditional floorings like laminate or linoleum and is known to be scratch and water-resistant. LVP is available in a wide range of colors and designs, including realistic wood grains.
Built-In Pet Beds
Every pet needs a dedicated space at home to rest and relax. For that reason, a new home feature many homeowners are adding to their existing cabinetry is a built-in pet bed. Built-in pet beds keep your home free of clutter while still ensuring your pet has a quiet space to relax.
Built-In Pet Gate
Sometimes, there are just places you don’t want your pet to access. Incorporating a built-in pet gate is a good option because you can customize it to your home’s design. Consider adding a swinging gate or a half-door so you can keep the desired area pet-free without completely closing it off from the rest of the home.
Outdoor Ramp for Aging Dogs
As dogs age, they often find it difficult to go up and down stairs. If your pup is getting up there in years, consider adding a ramp to your deck or porch to make it easier for him to get around. As an added benefit, a ramp reduces the risk of joint damage and other injuries in younger dogs.
Enclosed Cat Patio
An enclosed cat patio is an essential new home feature to provide your indoor cat with a safe place to enjoy the sun. Simply add outdoor fencing to your patio or deck. Adding climbing posts and perches will also encourage your kitty to get some extra exercise while she’s enjoying the great outdoors.
Central Vacuum Cleaning Center
While there’s no doubt we love our furry friends, living with pets often means dealing with pet hair all over the house. With a central vacuum cleaning system and multiple outlets throughout the home, cleaning up pet hair is as simple as sweeping it into the vacuum outlet.