Your beloved pets are part of the family and need comfortable spaces for eating, sleeping, and play time, just like the rest of the family. Pets also influence the wear and tear on your home, so the materials you choose for flooring and other surfaces must account for your furry family members.
If you are planning a home remodel and pets are part of your household, make sure you consider their needs, from safety to durability, comfort, and storage.
Durable materials, thoughtfully planned layouts, and designated pet zones make your home easier to maintain and more enjoyable for everyone. From kitchens to living rooms, entryways, laundry or mudrooms, and more, let’s explore remodeling tips that help you create a pet-friendly home.
Start with a Pet-Friendly Layout
The layout is the foundation of any space in your home, and the first step in creating a design that fits your family’s needs. Choose a layout that works with your space and creates efficient, comfortable, and enjoyable rooms with an easy flow of traffic.
Open Concept Flow
The right layout allows for easy supervision of kids and pets in shared spaces. Think about the ages of your kids and other family members, how many and the type of pets you have, and your preferences for how you like to live, work, and move throughout your home.
Wide hallways and open living areas help pets move around freely, while enclosed rooms let you separate your pet from other areas of the home when required. Depending on your preferences, you may prefer a completely open plan first floor, or you may decide to keep doorways in certain areas that allow you to close off particular rooms.
Safe Zones
With both kids and pets, it is important to remember that certain areas of the home are safer than others. This means you may want to keep pets out of certain spaces and create designated areas for pets to rest, eat, and play. Consider including built-in gates or pocket doors for restricting access when needed.
Include pet-focused zones in your home’s layout for all their needs, where they can be safe and comfortable.
Kitchen Designs for Pets and People
The kitchen design is the heart of the home and the focal point for family life, including preparing and eating food, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing. Our pets want to be where we are, so naturally, they will also gravitate towards the kitchen!
Durable Surfaces
In a busy kitchen design, it is essential that you choose durable surfaces that can stand up to constant use. Where pets are integral to your home life, it is even more important that you choose materials that are as durable and easy-to-clean as they are stylish.
- Select countertops that are resistant to scratches and spills, such as quartz and granite.
- Go for flooring that is resistant to scratches and moisture, like tile or luxury vinyl.
- Cabinets with easy-to-clean, scratch-resistant finishes make life simpler and stand up to pets jumping up against them.
Feeding Stations
If you plan to feed your pets in the kitchen, plan for a designated feeding zone where you can store food and treats, and place their bowls where they won’t become a trip hazard. Built-in bowls in pull-out drawers situated in a section of your kitchen cabinet design are an ideal choice for food and water bowls.
Or set aside an out-of-the-way alcove or a nook under the island for a feeding area that lets pets be nearby without getting underfoot.
Durable Flooring Choices
Throughout your home’s layout, include flooring that can stand up to constant foot and paw traffic, not to mention claws, dirt tracked into the house, and pet toys. Go for scratch-resistant options like luxury vinyl, tile, or hardwood alternatives. Include area rugs that provide traction, protect floors, and are easily washable.
Living Room Comfort and Durability
Our pets love being close to us, so when we relax, they often want to follow. By including them in your home designs for relaxation spaces, such as the living room, you will ensure that everyone can relax together in a safe space that can withstand pet fur, claws, and more.
Pet-Friendly Furnishings
Go for stain-resistant, durable upholstery such as stain-resistant performance fabrics. Make sure you have furniture covers, washable slipcovers, or pet-friendly blankets to cover furniture. Even the cleanest indoor pets still shed fur and bring in some dirt, so you need to be able to protect furniture and easily clean it when required.
Flooring Considerations
Just like in the kitchen, durable flooring that is easy to clean and maintain is a must-have. Scratch-resistant hardwood alternatives, luxury vinyl, or tile are ideal. Go for washable rugs to balance style and practicality.
Built-In Features
By incorporating built-in storage and customized space for all your family’s needs, including your pets, you will ensure your living room stays clutter-free and that everything you need can be easily found. Incorporate cozy nooks or built-in benches and include space underneath for pet beds. Pets can sleep near you while still being out of the way.
Low shelving, drawers, or cubbies are ideal for toys and other supplies you want to have within easy reach in a living room.
Entryway, Hallway, and Mudroom Solutions
For any home with pets, but particularly one with dogs, where they are being let out or taken for a walk, entryways and hallways must be able to withstand dirty or wet paws. Your specific requirements may vary depending on whether this is a main entryway to your home or a separate entrance or mudroom.
Durable, Easy-Clean Flooring
Choose tile or vinyl flooring that can handle wet, dirty paws and claws scratching against the floor. These surfaces are not only durable but also easy to clean and low-maintenance, making them ideal for a busy household with pets. Use rugs or mats that are designed to help trap dirt and moisture at your entryway, and make sure they can be easily washed.
Organization for Pet Gear
Customized storage solutions for pet gear near your entryway will help to limit clutter and reduce trip hazards. Include hooks for leashes, cubbies for dog walking shoes, and bins for toys and treats. In an enclosed space such as a mudroom, add built-in cabinetry with drawers for food, grooming tools, or seasonal gear like dog coats.
Feeding and Litter Box Solutions
If you use your enclosed mudroom or entryway to feed pets or keep your cat’s litter box, plan for these as part of your home remodel. Choose a tucked-away area for food and water bowls, plus room to store food and treats. For a cat household, make sure you have a well-ventilated space for your litter box to help control odor, as well as room to store extra litter and other supplies.
Laundry Room or Utility Space Upgrades
Depending on your home’s layout and your personal preferences, you may opt to use a utility or laundry room as a dedicated pet area. This is an ideal area to include a dog washing station, store pet supplies, and even keep pet supplies like food, treats, leashes, and more. In a large laundry room, you could also keep your litter box, include space to feed pets, and even add pet beds.
Dedicated Pet Care Zone
Create a pet care area in your laundry or utility room where you can store all of their grooming supplies, medication, and more. Add space for washing pets, which could even include a built-in dog washing station or shower area. Make sure you have a handheld sprayer and slip-resistant flooring, and can close off this room to keep your pet contained while washing them.
Storage Features
Add storage for essential pet items, from food to toys and more. Include customized cabinet storage for bulk pet food and pet-related cleaning products. Incorporate pull-out bins for organizing toys, collars, leashes, and accessories.
Pet Comfort
If your pet will use this space for sleeping or if you plan to close your pet in this room for safety reasons, make sure you design for comfort too. Include a built-in nook or designate a quiet corner for pet beds or crates. Ensure your flooring is durable and resists spills and accidents.
Safety and Wellness Features
Just like the rest of your family, you want to ensure that pets are safe and comfortable within your home. Make sure you consider specific design features that help you keep your pet safe, whether you are in the home or at work for the day.
- Choose non-toxic materials such as low-VOC paints and finishes that are safe for pets.
- Add smart home additions such as pet cameras for monitoring them while away and automated feeders or water dispensers.
- Plan for safe outdoor access, such as pet doors with secure locking systems and a fenced-in yard or patio updates for added safety.
- Make sure you have secure cabinets to keep toxic items like cleaning supplies safely stowed.
Create a Home Designed for Your Whole Family!
Are you planning a home remodel where pets are essential to your family? Why not consider their needs to make sure everyone in your household is safe and comfortable in your newly designed space? Designing with pets in mind ensures durability, comfort, and harmony for the whole family.
Think about your pets’ daily routines and particular needs when planning your remodel. Then contact Lang’s Home Remodeling for help in creating a pet-friendly, stylish, and functional home tailored to your entire family, including the furry family members!