Pet-Friendly Home Design
Pets are everything. They are our loyal companions, cuddle buddies, exercise partners, and stress-relievers. They bring immense joy and happiness into our lives, and for many of us, they are an integral part of our families. As pet owners, we want to ensure that our furry friends are happy, healthy, and comfortable in our homes. That’s why it’s essential to consider them when designing and remodeling our living spaces.
Our Senior Designer, Janice Teague, has 3 chow chows who mean the world to her and her husband. “They are our kids; we are very protective of them and perhaps go overboard to ensure their safety,” she says. She also cleans her house herself so she knows what materials work best for pet designated areas.
When she discusses pets with clients, she asks them questions based on her experience with her own furry family members. Janice has advice for pet-loving homeowners about home remodel designs and working with designers who understand your unique family’s needs.
Pet-Friendly Design Considerations to Fit Your Lifestyle
Designers have to take into consideration how many pets are in the home, their size(s), in what room they are fed, where their food is stored, where “their” space is in the home, if they have any special needs, and who in the home is responsible for their care. Does muffin the corgi need a window with a full view of the backyard? Does Pepper the poodle need an ergonomically designed doggie wash in the utility room?
These days, families are very busy, particularly those with younger children and pets. Daily schedules and chore responsibilities should remain as consistent as possible during a remodel. However, interruptions in routine are inevitable, so a plan should be in place to keep as much normalcy in the home as possible, including feeding and walking the dog!
Pet Care During the Remodel Process
It seems most people keep their pets at home during a remodel but have designated areas for the pet to stay while workers go in and out of the home. If the pets are kept in a room close to the remodel work, a sign on the closed door will remind workers not to enter.
Design Materials for Pet Safety and Cleanliness
Porcelain flooring is always a good option as it is easy to maintain, can be installed over a heated floor mat, and there are many colors and textures available. Porcelain can come with rectified edges, which means that grout lines can be as small as 1/8 to 1/16 of an inch, which can be easier to clean. Another flooring material that works nicely for pet-owners is vinyl, which comes in some very realistic wood and natural stone patterns and sizes. Vinyl is durable, easy to clean, and warm on paws!
Choosing the Right Pet-Friendly Home Designer
Your designer should hold a pre-construction meeting with all the workers, project manager, and the homeowner, which is invaluable. Everyone has to have the same understanding of where the pet should be during the day and who is responsible for ensuring the pet’s needs are taken care of. This helps the homeowner feel safe in knowing their pet will be secure while others are in their home.
Have a question about pet-friendly home design? Chat with one of our designers below or contact us!
