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5 Pet Problems Solved by Design
Design-Friendly Ideas for Pet Beds, Bowls, Doors — and yes, the Litter Box
It goes without saying that pet owners love their animals. But for those of us who have four-legged friends underfoot, there are always a few things that we could do without. Smelly litter boxes, ugly pet beds, unsightly carpet-covered cat structures, and fur-covered cushions are just a few items on the list. We all deal, because, well … it's worth it. But fear not fellow animal lovers — there are solutions to our troubles. Yup, you can still be stylish without sacrificing any of your animal's comfort. Check out these five pet problems that were solved with design.
| 1. Furry, unattractive beds. This built-in cushion is a nifty way to incorporate your furry companion's equally furry bed into a neat little hideaway. You can customize it to match your decor, and it keeps the pet hair (the bane of any dog/cat owner's existence) in the nook. |
by decordemon
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Like the idea of plopping your animal into a stylish bed, but don't want to have to make any major renovations? Check out this great DIY for a clever dog or cat bed made out of an old suitcase.
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| Of course, a mini-window seat is another great options for cat and dog owners. Cushion the area with a washable pad, and have a spare one on hand for when guests come over. |
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2. Containing the dry food mess. These home owners came up with a sensible solution to control the mess that comes with dog food (and three dogs!). A built-in dog food station prevents bowls from tipping over and food from spilling on to the floor or into water bowls. The drawers above the eating station can conveniently house dog food and treats.
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This solution isn't as involved as the previous photo, but it's still pretty effective at minimizing any post-doggie dinner mess. Adding a hideaway like this would be fairly easy in most kitchen models.
by Kenny Grono
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3. Dealing with the dog door. Deciding where to place the dog and/or cat door can be a decor statement in itself. Should you install it in a door, glass door, window, or wall? I like how these owners placed the door directly under this long window. The space looks like it was made for the cat door, but it isn't a blatant part of the home's design.
by FrontPorch
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Now this might be the most innovative dog door I've ever seen. I'm guessing that this leads the dog in and out of the house—so smart! Plus, the fact that it looks like a miniature version of the doors in the home is adorable.
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4. Hiding the litter box. The litter box is by far the major downside of having a cat. Figuring out where to put this thing so your cat isn't doing its business in front of everyone and the smell doesn't permeate the house can be quite a challenge. The bathroom ends up being a safe choice for most home-owners, and I love how this built-in area makes the litter box nearly invisible.
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A laundry room is a good place for the litter box. It's not occupied as frequently as the bathrooms, and installing it into a cabinet with a cat door makes it easy for your cat to get inside, and convenient for you to clean.
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5. Bath day. Washing your dog (especially if you have a gigantic one) can be a serious drag — particularly on the cleanliness of your shower. These homeowners worked out a solution by creating a dog-sized shower area. It's perfect for full-on baths or that quick rainy day rinse-off.
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This dog is lucky enough to have an entire shower to himself. Creating a high wall was a smart touch. Just lift your pup in, and this wall saves you from the post-bath shakedown.
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This industrial looking bath is a far cry from the homey dog shower above, but it's definitely practical in terms of cleaning. The pull-out stairs are absolute genius. Let your dog walk up, and then tuck the stairs back in to shower him down.
Next, Some pet products we love:
Next, Some pet products we love:
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If you're not the type to make a dog bed from a vintage suitcase, you can opt for a more elegant pet bed that almost looks like art ...
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… or a piece of furniture.
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These little ledges for cats are so simple and smart. I have a feeling that this is one of those things my cat would never actually use, but I love the idea of having him just relaxing on a shelf like a decorative statue.
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This series of ledges is even better. Again, my cat is far too clumsy to attempt this. But more nimble kittens could have a perfect, out-of-the-way perch.
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I'm so happy someone finally came up with a solution to those beige, carpet-covered cat play structures that cats love (but people hate). These are fun and simple. A tower of these would be great in a living room corner, looking out over a window.
by gopetdesign.com
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These driftwood dog bowls would be perfect in the previous animal eating area. Even though it's tucked away, there's still a probability of spillage. These bowls prevent animals from tipping over their food—and look beautiful to boot!
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The Kattbank is a spendy, but incredibly convenient, litter solution for cat owners who are renters and don't want to make any changes to their apartment. I never thought I'd say a litter box looked sleek—but hey, there's a first time for everything. Doubling as a modern-style bench, the Kattbank lifts open for easy cleaning, and even has plastic screen to help get the litter off your cat's paws.
Next:
Houzz Pets: 50 Design-Loving Dogs
50 Cats in the Casa
Browse more pet products we love
Next:
Houzz Pets: 50 Design-Loving Dogs
50 Cats in the Casa
Browse more pet products we love
Ideabook updated on April 15, 2012.
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I don't understand how the cat boxes in bathrooms work out. What happens if the cat has to go and someone has the door closed? I wouldn't want to chance that. LOL
I wrote an article on our site about fun modern pet beds that are a great addition to your home if you can't remodel it to add one of the ideas above. Check it out here: http://blog.17thandriggs.com/2011/02/modern-pet-beds/
Here's the how-to on the customization: (http://scandalouswalltalk.blogspot.com/2011/02/heres-how-to-upgrade-your-hidden-litter.html) and a picture of the final product.
The cat box in the bench is a no-no in my book. "Excuse that scratching coming from under your seat" And what about the odor? My cats can be stinky!
My cat spends half of his time outside, and he'll usually hold it until he can go out because he doesn't like to use his indoor litter box...