Kitchen & Bathroom Design Blog

If you follow our social media pages, then you know that we love our pets!  This is Sophie, who is our top “supervisor” at Lang’s and the boss at home too.  We know how important it is to factor all family members into your home design, especially the furry ones who like to be by your side as you cook or do laundry.

If furry family members are central to your home life, remember to make space for them in your kitchen design plans, so they can spend time with you in the heart of the home. Here are some top tips for creating a pet-friendly kitchen design.

What do your pets need?

You may find your beloved cat or dog is always underfoot in the kitchen.  Clearly, they feel the need to supervise your activities and, of course, be nearby just in case food appears! If your pets belong by your side in the kitchen, it makes sense to incorporate their requirements into your design with purpose-built storage and more.  Decide what is important to your pets and work from there.  Here are a few ideas:

Set up a feeding station.

Food is still the focus of activity in the kitchen.  This is true for your pet as well, who comes into the kitchen looking for meals and treats (and sometimes tasty bites that fall from the table or countertop!). Unfortunately, pet bowls take up floor space, can be a trip hazard, and are messy.  By building a feeding station into your kitchen design you create a designated space for your pet’s food and water that is accessible but out of the way.  This could be as simple as an alcove set aside for their bowls with a mat to keep the floor clean, or it could take the form of a customized pull-out feeding station.  Make sure it is positioned where your pet can access it but you won’t trip over it.

Get ready for nap time.

We could all learn a thing or two from our dogs and cats about the importance of daytime naps. As a pet parent, you will also be aware that your furry family members sleep where they like, even if it’s not convenient for you.  This includes curling up for a nap in the kitchen while you prepare food or do work.  Why not set aside space for a pet bed or even install a built-in bed. This gives them a quiet corner or alcove all their own where they can snooze and be near you.  For a cat, consider including an elevated sleeping spot or a semi-enclosed space.

Set aside space for supplies.

Like the rest of the family, pets come with a lot of stuff, which requires storage space to make sure your home does not get cluttered.  You might consider including a designated cabinet or shelf in your utility or mudroom for pet supplies.  It also makes sense to have some storage set aside in the kitchen for items you need to have readily available. Food, treats, medicine, a leash, and other items you need to access multiple times a day could be kept in a customized storage drawer or even a section of your pantry cabinet near the feeding area, for example.

Make time for fun.

Like all “kids” in the house, pets love their play time.  Consider what activities your pet enjoys and what might keep them busy while you work in the kitchen.  A scratching post or climbing area for cats is ideal but keep it away from your cooking zone so they don’t get too close to a hot oven. Arrange your pet’s favorite toys in basket near their food or bed so they always have easy access or add another storage drawer just for toys to make it simple for you to find them.

Where should you put their space?

Where you position their food, bed, toys, and other essentials really depends on your available kitchen footprint and preferences.  If you don’t want them too close while preparing food, create a pet alcove in a quiet corner or a sunny bay window like this kitchen design in Yardley.  If you don’t mind them being closer (or know that is where they will wind up anyway) you could transform an end of your kitchen island into a pet paradise with space under the island countertop for a bed and food.

How do I give them access to the kitchen (or restrict access)?

There may be times you need to keep your precious pets out of the kitchen. If you just mopped the floor you need to give it time to dry, or if the Thanksgiving turkey just came out of the oven you need to be sure your pets won’t get to it. If your kitchen is enclosed, you could include pocket doors that can be pulled out to restrict access.  If not, you may need to designate another enclosed area away from the kitchen where they could be temporarily closed off. If so, make sure you have space for food, water, and a bed in this room too. For most dogs, you could install pull-out gates across kitchen access points to temporarily restrict their access. 

Make sure you factor all family members into your kitchen remodeling plans, including your pets.  Contact us today to start planning your pet friendly kitchen design.