How to Design Your House Around Your Pet
Pet-loving designers offer insights on the perks and practicalities of adding home features for furry family members
Of all the things homeowners need to consider when tackling a home renovation, how their dogs or cats will use the revamped features isn’t always at the top of the priority list. But for those renovators and pros who are thinking of Bella or Milo as they make initial design choices, experts say the results can be a treat for pets and people alike.
Houzz users showed similar enthusiasm for pet-centric spaces a few months ago when we asked them to share the pet-driven features they’ve incorporated into their homes. “My cats designed my house,” Houzzer wiss wrote. Other users shared stories and photos of pet-specific features, such as built-in dog beds and bowls, easy-to-clean polished concrete floors, mudroom pet wash stations and a variety of cat perches, tunnels and walkways. Some homeowners shared that they’d chosen their homes based on features they thought would be good for their pets.
“I came across a bungalow with a 2,000-square-foot atrium garden and we bought it — mainly for [our cat] Strolchi,” user midmodfan wrote. “We could let him into the garden with ease of mind, because he couldn’t escape and no other four- or two-legged being could come in. It was the perfect solution.” They even installed a 10-foot scratching post with an attached toy mouse on a string, shown here, for Strolchi to enjoy.
For more home inspiration and remodeling tips that pet lovers should keep in mind, we scoured homeowners’ stories. And along with Deidre Oliver and Cynthia Chomos, we spoke with pro Mike Wilson of CatastrophiCreations in Michigan.
“I came across a bungalow with a 2,000-square-foot atrium garden and we bought it — mainly for [our cat] Strolchi,” user midmodfan wrote. “We could let him into the garden with ease of mind, because he couldn’t escape and no other four- or two-legged being could come in. It was the perfect solution.” They even installed a 10-foot scratching post with an attached toy mouse on a string, shown here, for Strolchi to enjoy.
For more home inspiration and remodeling tips that pet lovers should keep in mind, we scoured homeowners’ stories. And along with Deidre Oliver and Cynthia Chomos, we spoke with pro Mike Wilson of CatastrophiCreations in Michigan.
Know Your Pet’s Personality and Needs
A pet’s size, age, health and temperament will likely affect which pet-centric features make the most sense for a home, so the experts recommend that you take those specifics into consideration before getting to work.
“Cats have a wide range of personalities and abilities, and designing furniture to satisfy all traits can be tricky,” says Wilson, who designs built-in climbing perches for cats. “One cat complex may work for one cat but not all.”
Shop for cat furniture on Houzz
A pet’s size, age, health and temperament will likely affect which pet-centric features make the most sense for a home, so the experts recommend that you take those specifics into consideration before getting to work.
“Cats have a wide range of personalities and abilities, and designing furniture to satisfy all traits can be tricky,” says Wilson, who designs built-in climbing perches for cats. “One cat complex may work for one cat but not all.”
Shop for cat furniture on Houzz
Knowing, for instance, that your dog gets agitated when it can (or can’t) see outside might determine whether you and your pro team install a window within that dog’s line of vision (or a window seat that allows the dog to catch a glimpse of passing squirrels and neighbors).
User rudy4dawgs wrote that they take their dogs’ age and capabilities into account anytime they make changes to their home. They planted thicker greenery along pathways in the yard, for example, so their older, vision-impaired dog could find his way safely, and installed low-rise stairs to help him get up and down easier. The designer behind Colorado paint and wallcovering dealer Passionate Home built the taller-than-average custom feeding bowls and storage unit shown here to accommodate a pair of Great Danes.
User rudy4dawgs wrote that they take their dogs’ age and capabilities into account anytime they make changes to their home. They planted thicker greenery along pathways in the yard, for example, so their older, vision-impaired dog could find his way safely, and installed low-rise stairs to help him get up and down easier. The designer behind Colorado paint and wallcovering dealer Passionate Home built the taller-than-average custom feeding bowls and storage unit shown here to accommodate a pair of Great Danes.
Give Them a Space of Their Own
“Whether it is the ability to be up on the sofas, a hidden litter box, a built-in bed under some cabinetry or a pet wash station, pets seems to love the special place carved out for them,” Oliver says.
See more dog room inspiration photos
Shop for dog beds
“Whether it is the ability to be up on the sofas, a hidden litter box, a built-in bed under some cabinetry or a pet wash station, pets seems to love the special place carved out for them,” Oliver says.
See more dog room inspiration photos
Shop for dog beds
Many popular pet features are designed to give a pet that kind of cozy hideaway or nook. “A special nook for their bedding gives a feeling of security and comfort to animals who often enjoy the security of more contained spaces,” Oliver says.
These areas may fit into unused spaces under the stairs or a coffee table, or above a shelf or piece of furniture for climb-happy cats who want to sneak in some time for themselves. Incorporating a hideout or hangout for a cat is doable even if you have limited space, Chomos says, because you can build vertically.
Browse inspiration photos of hidden litter boxes
These areas may fit into unused spaces under the stairs or a coffee table, or above a shelf or piece of furniture for climb-happy cats who want to sneak in some time for themselves. Incorporating a hideout or hangout for a cat is doable even if you have limited space, Chomos says, because you can build vertically.
Browse inspiration photos of hidden litter boxes
These designated areas can also be designed to blend beautifully into a home’s decor, the pros say. For example, user Diane Istvan’s entryway, shown here, features an in-floor water bowl that complements the surrounding materials and an organically shaped bench for Istvan’s dogs to sit on and look out the window. Something like a discreet built-in litter box for a cat offers a cat privacy without detracting from a home’s design, Oliver says.
Beyond giving a pet a place to feel safe and secure and helping homeowners avoid eyesores, these details can benefit both parties by being practical and making life a little easier. A built-in dog wash station, for instance, saves homeowners time, money and stress, Oliver says: “Most pets seem more comfortable having their owners bathe them than taking a trip to the groomers!”
See inspiration photos of dog wash stations
Beyond giving a pet a place to feel safe and secure and helping homeowners avoid eyesores, these details can benefit both parties by being practical and making life a little easier. A built-in dog wash station, for instance, saves homeowners time, money and stress, Oliver says: “Most pets seem more comfortable having their owners bathe them than taking a trip to the groomers!”
See inspiration photos of dog wash stations
Make Things Sturdy and Safe
Working with a pro is wise for many of these projects, as features like elevated walkways or catios need to be secure to prevent danger for pets and people alike. Wilson recommends that homeowners factor in their wall type and the location of any studs before installing a cat complex to ensure that the wall can handle the weight and the item is installed safely. Resilient materials that can hold up to scratches, drool and the occasional accident (Oliver recommends “nearly indestructible” fabrics like Crypton and Ultrasuede) are also a must.
Chomos suggests that homeowners enlist the help of a contractor or carpenter when adding an outdoor catio space, as many decks and foundations aren’t perfectly level. Pros can also use their expertise to design a feature that complements the architecture or design of the home, she says. Though she and her team install about 40 custom catios throughout the Seattle area per year, Chomos also offers clients step-by-step plans on her website so they can enlist a pro in their area who might not be as familiar with catios to help install one.
Houzz TV: Watch These Rescued Cats Make a House Their Playland
Working with a pro is wise for many of these projects, as features like elevated walkways or catios need to be secure to prevent danger for pets and people alike. Wilson recommends that homeowners factor in their wall type and the location of any studs before installing a cat complex to ensure that the wall can handle the weight and the item is installed safely. Resilient materials that can hold up to scratches, drool and the occasional accident (Oliver recommends “nearly indestructible” fabrics like Crypton and Ultrasuede) are also a must.
Chomos suggests that homeowners enlist the help of a contractor or carpenter when adding an outdoor catio space, as many decks and foundations aren’t perfectly level. Pros can also use their expertise to design a feature that complements the architecture or design of the home, she says. Though she and her team install about 40 custom catios throughout the Seattle area per year, Chomos also offers clients step-by-step plans on her website so they can enlist a pro in their area who might not be as familiar with catios to help install one.
Houzz TV: Watch These Rescued Cats Make a House Their Playland
Think Outside the House
Catios are a good example of the pet-centric possibilities for homeowners who want to make use of outdoor space. Not only do these types of features give pets some welcome fresh air, but they can also alleviate problem behavior.
“If there are multicat issues due to a lack of territory or a lack of stimulation indoors, or you have a door-dashing cat, it can certainly create stress on a daily basis,” Chomos says.
How to Get Your Catio On
Catios are a good example of the pet-centric possibilities for homeowners who want to make use of outdoor space. Not only do these types of features give pets some welcome fresh air, but they can also alleviate problem behavior.
“If there are multicat issues due to a lack of territory or a lack of stimulation indoors, or you have a door-dashing cat, it can certainly create stress on a daily basis,” Chomos says.
How to Get Your Catio On
An enclosed atrium like a catio or another outdoor rec area can offer some much-needed room for the animals to stretch their legs and can stimulate their senses. Plus, Chomos notes, a homeowner doesn’t need to have a yard to add an outdoor enclosure. A balcony or deck can work as well.
Protecting Your Pet From Your Yard and Your Yard From Your Pet
Protecting Your Pet From Your Yard and Your Yard From Your Pet
Have Fun With It
Ultimately, designing around a pet is an opportunity to get creative and playful with design choices. The installations Wilson designs at CatastrophiCreations, for instance, usually make a major style statement, in addition to entertaining his feline clients and their people.
“The furniture is meant to look more like wall art then traditional cat trees. It becomes the focal point in the room and can be a fun conversation starter,” he says. “Some pet parents will take it a step further and add other decorative elements to the walls around the furniture.”
No matter how a pet drives a design, homeowners and pros report that those thoughtful choices make for a more peaceful and playful home.
“For many homeowners, their pets are their children and they certainly want them to be safe, healthy and happy,” Chomos says. “Because a happy pet [means] a happy pet parent.”
Tell us: How have you incorporated your pets’ needs into your home design? Share your stories and photos in the Comments.
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60 Design-Happy Pets From Around the World
Read more stories about design for pets
Ultimately, designing around a pet is an opportunity to get creative and playful with design choices. The installations Wilson designs at CatastrophiCreations, for instance, usually make a major style statement, in addition to entertaining his feline clients and their people.
“The furniture is meant to look more like wall art then traditional cat trees. It becomes the focal point in the room and can be a fun conversation starter,” he says. “Some pet parents will take it a step further and add other decorative elements to the walls around the furniture.”
No matter how a pet drives a design, homeowners and pros report that those thoughtful choices make for a more peaceful and playful home.
“For many homeowners, their pets are their children and they certainly want them to be safe, healthy and happy,” Chomos says. “Because a happy pet [means] a happy pet parent.”
Tell us: How have you incorporated your pets’ needs into your home design? Share your stories and photos in the Comments.
More
60 Design-Happy Pets From Around the World
Read more stories about design for pets
Pros say that in recent years, more clients than ever seem to agree. In the American Institute of Architects’ second-quarter Home Design Trends Survey released in September, architecture firms reported that client interest in built-in rooms or kennels devoted to pets spiked in the past year, with 30 percent of respondents reporting interest in comparison to 20 percent last year. Cynthia Chomos, founder of and designer at the Seattle-area company Catio Spaces, says she’s seen indoor-outdoor “catios” like those she designs grow in popularity over the past four years as well.
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