When designing for our clients, we always pay close attention to the needs, preferences, and daily routines of each family member. Naturally, that includes four-legged family members, too! Our clients’ pets are an important part of their families, so designing their homes means designing for pets, too. One part of designing for pets involves choosing materials that won’t trap pet hair, that resist scratching or snagging, or that can be easily removed for cleaning. We’ll also try to avoid accents like hanging tassels that resemble pet toys too closely, especially if our clients have cats. However, we try to take things a step further with truly thoughtful touches that create a pet-friendly home.
These pullout dog dishes are one of our favorite ideas for a pet-friendly home. It’s fairly simple to modify an existing drawer or to add this to new cabinetry, and allows food dishes to be easily accessible at mealtimes, but kept out of the way the rest of the time.
Pets often love to be near the action, but that can mean they are underfoot in high-traffic areas like the kitchen. A built-in alcove bed is a great solution, providing a comfy spot for pets to lounge and allowing them to be near you yet safely out from underfoot.
When designing for pets, why not take advantage of the opportunity to conceal unsightly areas like the cat litter box? Adding a small doorway opening to cabinet doors in a laundry room or mudroom creates a private spot for cats to do their business, and keeps the litter box nicely out of sight.
We often try to take advantage of small spaces that would otherwise go unused when we’re designing for pets. The space under a staircase makes a great nook for a dog bed, and can even be made into a crate by adding fretwork or screen doors.
Designing for pets also gives you a chance to have some fun with your space, like in this home. A variety of shelves, ledges, and built-ins make this a feline paradise, yet it’s still sleek and modern thanks to the minimalist look and tightly edited palette of finishes.
A single shelf like this is a great way to create a cat-friendly space without such a big commitment. Many cats love to be up high, and a comfy upholstered ledge gives them a great spot to lounge.
We believe designing for pets should never mean compromising on style. These sculptural wall shelves are a great example of pet-friendly design that’s still stylish. What cat wouldn’t love climbing and jumping on these ledges? Our feline office assistants Rose and Noah certainly would!
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