Pet Upgrades for Your Home!
We all love our pets and will of course do anything to make them happy and comfortable within our own homes - we sneak them extra treats, buy them a plethora of toys, and find any excuse we can to spoil them at a moments notice. However, if you’re a dedicated pet owner who likes to take things a step further, chances are you’ve probably even made some changes to your living space to accommodate them.
We’re going beyond the standard bowl-space in the kitchen, or pet bed at the foot of your own, we’re talking ways to seamlessly integrate upgrades for your pet that fit both architecturally and interior design-wise! Here are some of the most crafty, creative ways you can upgrade your home to suit your four-legged friends!
Pet Doors
Let’s start with the traditional – and yes, we know a pet door is in no way a novel home upgrade for pet owners. BUT, that is in reference to the classic unsightly plastic flaps. It doesn’t have to be that way!
Today’s pet door options extend well beyond a cutout in your existing front door. Some options include integration into slider doors, screens and even have electronic open & shut abilities to ease your concerns on security.
Integrating your pet door into your house’s architecture takes it from eyesore to elegant home upgrade that will allow for in-and-outdoor functionality for your furry friends!
Built-in Showers
Taking your pet to the groomer is a hassle, but it’s also something we generally choose to do it as it’s easier than wrestling our pets at home, or making a mess of our own personal showers - unless you have the right setup. Many newer floorplans offer options for pet showers specifically to save you from the trouble of this endeavor!
By adding an elevated shower space with a handheld showerhead, getting your pet cleaned up goes from nightmare chore to an [relatively, depending on your pet’s liking!] easy task. The ability to lean into the shower space makes your pet feel safer (and consequently, easier to handle), and the half-height wall protects you from their mess. This will also ensure your floors dry, too. These showers are best fits for either a mudroom or laundry room, as to still keep it out of the way from the nicer areas of your home!
Hidden Bowls, Food & More
Usually, your pets food and water bowls end up in a corner of the kitchen on a little placemat, or tucked ever-so-discretely out of the way, but are still an eyesore, right? Well, no matter if they’re the most attractive bowls on the planet, we’d all much rather them completely out of the way and out of sight. Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could hide them away until they’re needed? With pullout drawers, this is totally possible!
Cleaning up for unexpected company, and putting them away when not in use becomes that much easier. One drawer, two if you want to store the food right alongside, are needed, and can be created for the perfect set-up. This can be a DIY project if you feel like creating your own inserts, or many options come as prebuilt pieces that can be easily adapted into a foyer or small station near an outdoor exit to store other items as well!
Integrated Beds
Building your pet’s necessities into your existing cabinetry or larger décor pieces can help make everyone’s lives easier. You get to minimize the visual obtrusiveness of the items your pet needs for a comfortable life, and your pet gets a safe space they can rely on.
Unlike a free-floating pet bed that could be relocated at a moment’s notice, a built-in pet bed will always be there for your pet if they are seeking refuge – many with can be crated to fold away at a moments notice when naptime isn’t at hand!
Outdoor Water Bowls & More
Summer is (still!) here. You’ll probably be spending more time outside, and your pet will undoubtedly want to join you. Ensure they stay hydrated and add to your property’s landscaping with a permanent water bowl for whether you’re joining them in the yard, or they go outside to play while you’re at work! Many modern options can attach directly to your outdoor water spigot, and even come with motion detection, not only making it simple to give your pet access to water all summer long, but helps to save water when they’re not thirsty, either!
There is a huge range of options to integrate our pets’ necessities into our interior design and architecture. You, your four-legged friend and your home’s style can truly live together in harmony!
