Pets make a house feel like a home, and many of us wouldn’t be able to face a kitchen without a little four-legged friend running around looking for scraps. But while we understand the importance of having a pet, we haven’t always designed our homes with them in mind.
When going through a kitchen renovation, we think carefully about how the design meets the needs of every member of the family, so why aren’t we considering our beloved pets, too?
While pet rooms are on the rise, dedicating an entire room to our furry friends isn’t always possible, so I’ve asked kitchen pros how we can include smaller pet-friendly design features in our cooking spaces, utility rooms and boot rooms. Here’s what they had to say.
1. Find a permanent place for their bed
‘The modern kitchen is being reimagined to accommodate four-legged companions with subtle sophistication,’ explains Tom Howley, creative design director of the eponymous kitchen company.
Integrated pet nooks are one of the simplest ways you can incorporate your pet into your kitchen design, and it’s a great way to make use of awkward gaps in a layout. By removing cabinetry, you can create a ledge for a pet bed so that it’s kept out of the way from the floor area, and it creates a dedicated cosy spot for your pet to curl up and sleep.
2. Consider plumbing
When you care for a pet, there are lots of small daily tasks that come with it. A well-designed home is all about making everyday life run smoothly, which is why it’s worth considering how to design a pet space that functions well.
Interior designer, Fenella Jane, shows in an Instagram reel how she has included a pull-out brass pot tap in her boot room, just above the area where her dog’s bowl sits. It’s a small design feature that makes a huge difference, cutting out the everyday friction of running to and from the kitchen sink.
3. Work in a pet shower
Positioning a pet zone near your garden or back door is the most practical solution for ensuring that the rest of your kitchen stays free from muddy paws.
A pet shower makes this even more achievable – you can keep your pet contained within a dedicated zone to wash them before letting them through to the rest of the house. Whether you opt for a larger sink to bathe your pup in or a walk-in shower, which is great for larger dogs, opt for tiled surfaces for a splash-zone-ready space that you won’t need to be precious about.
4. Don’t forget storage
There’s a lot of random paraphernalia that comes with being a pet owner, whether it’s food, treats, medication, bowls or leashes. So just as you would design a pantry with clever storage in mind, organising a pet zone with handy drawers will make the space more functional.
‘Well-designed pet spaces create a calmer, more organised environment for everyone in the household. From a practical perspective, they help contain the inevitable paraphernalia that comes with pet ownership, whether that’s bedding, leads, toys or feeding stations,’ explains interior designer, Laura Stephens.
‘When these spaces are thoughtfully designed, they remove the tension between functionality and aesthetics, allowing owners to enjoy a home that works beautifully for every member of the household,’ she adds.
5. Choose durable materials
‘The common thread is that these pet spaces are becoming far more integrated into the overall design scheme,’ says Laura Stephens. This is why when you’re designing a pet area, you want it to be cohesive with the rest of your home, especially your kitchen.
Practical surfaces, like tiled surfaces, wipe-clean stone and laminate are essential in a pet-friendly space. Porous marble surfaces will only cause more stress, so put functionality first. When it comes to creating design cohesion, focus on colour palettes and cabinetry styles to tie the two areas together.
‘Elevated pet-dining areas clad in the same stone or timber as the kitchen worktops bring a sense of cohesion, whilst personalised touches – like cabinetry engraved with a pet’s name – add charm,’ recommends Tom Howley.
Shop pet room accessories
Beatrice Stripe Box Pet Bed
Dunelm’s famous Beatrice armchair has been made into a matching dog bed – it comes in so many colours to match your scheme.
H&M
Small Toy Storage Basket
This adorable basket will keep your pet’s toys in one place and it will look just as cute kept on show.
Generic
Airtight Pet Food Storage Container
This airtight pet food container will minimise mess and allows you to easily scoop it out.
Creating a pet zone isn’t just about designing an aesthetic place for your pooch, it’s about creating a home that works for every single member of your family – big or small. Think about how your daily life operates with your pet before you start designing, so you can figure out what your area needs.
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