There’s no doubt that Americans love their pets. According to a 2011 Harris poll, 90% of pet owners think of their dogs and cats as family members, and two-thirds of Americans have a pet! With those types of numbers, it only makes sense to think about including a little something for your furry family member in your next remodeling venture. And even if that’s not exactly your cup of tea, these cute ideas are still fun to ooh and ahh over!
- A dog washing station. If you’ve got a pooch with a proclivity for mud puddles, a dog washing station might be right for you! It’s typically located in a utility room and stands about as tall as the surrounding cabinets (~36”). It’s tiled in like a regular shower and is furnished with a handheld showerhead for easy washing. You can even install a niche to keep your pup’s shampoo nearby.
- A hidden cat litterbox. Consider this: cats love privacy. Humans love rooms that don’t, well, smell like cat poop. Utilizing a lower cabinet in a utility room or mud room and enclosing a kitty box in it might be a great solution for you and your kitty. Win-win! Check out this idea that even includes a cat-shaped entrance (at the left).
- A built-in dog bed or crate. If your dog is the shy type or just likes a little peace and quiet, a niche to call their own is a lovely idea. Knock out a little space under a stairwell (a place that can often be underutilized!) or in a laundry room just big enough for Rover to cuddle up into. If your dog is crate-trained, these types of spaces can even be fitted with a crate door so they feel at home.
- Automatic pet doors. A pet door is a wonderful idea for the pet that always wants to go out and come in… and then go back out again. An even more wonderful idea is a pet door that automatically opens when your dog or cat gets close, to avoid – ahem – unwanted guests from coming in when the door is unlocked. I’m looking at you, raccoons!
- Bowl holders. Built-in food and water bowl holders help to keep the kitchen clean and tidy. You can create a specialized space where food and water can always be accessible (like the bottom shelf of a built-in cabinet), or if you have scheduled eaters, you can utilize toe-kick space for pull out food bowls. When feeding time is over, it’s out of sight, out of mind!
For more cat- and dog-friendly ideas, check out Houzz.com! They have plenty of photos and design inspiration for creative renovation elements. Looking to turn your inspiration into realization? Give us a call! We’d be glad to assist.
