When remodeling for pet-friendly spaces, choose materials wisely
We love our pets - aka fur babies. But when it comes to home remodeling, we understandably put more emphasis on our two-legged family members than our four-legged ones. If you are considering a whole house remodel or new addition, we strongly encourage you to keep your current—and future—pets in mind.
Cat people need to think about litter box placement, window seats, climbing opportunities (that are not your drapes!), and cozy hideaways. For dog owners, durable flooring and easy-to-clean rugs and carpets are an absolute must. A permanent spot for a crate and other essential accessories should be easily accessible and simple to clean. For pets with the freedom to come and go, professionally installed pet doors are a life-saver.
We can help you drill into the details of creating a pet-friendly home and even go a few steps further. From the essential to the extra mile, here are some key ways to remodel while keeping your pets in mind.
Fido-friendly floors
We love this deep dive from Floor Authority, which explores the top flooring options for a house that is also a home to dogs. These tips also apply to cats and other creatures racing from room or room or occasionally dumping their dinner dishes.
Based on a 4-paw rating scale that measured water and scratch resistance, upkeep, and cost, the top six flooring options recommended are:
Tile
Luxury vinyl
Laminate
Engineered hardwood
Bamboo
Cork
arpet and hardwoods are discouraged as they are less water resistant, harder to clean, and generally at the mercy of claws, nails, and stains. When deciding on flooring materials, you will also want to take into account the needs and design of each room, and how your (human) family members will use the space, in addition to cost and availability.
Create room to groom
Especially for dogs, regular baths and grooming are imperative. If you don’t fancy a weekly trip to the dog wash, create a space in your laundry room or mudroom for a pet washing and grooming station. Consider a simple low shower with a handheld shower head, or a utility sink outfitted with a leash and collar and decked out with toys to keep Spot happy and engaged.
Be sure to include cabinetry for storing soaps, shampoos, towels, medicine, brushes, blow dryers, and more. You might even invest in a stainless steel table to save your back while you spice up your pup. Use semi-gloss paint or a waterproof wall surround in the area for easy wipe-down afterward.
For the full spa experience, snag one of these handheld dog dryers.
Eliminate barriers to entry
An entryway is a great place to make pet friendly. A built-in storage seat with hooks above works perfectly for pet jackets, boots, leashes, treats, waste bags, towels, and more. Keeping everything in one place for a walk or car ride can save time and frustration. Entryway flooring is especially important, and tile is a great choice here.
Keep them content and comfortable
Sure, cats and dogs love to hang out on beds and couches (and countertops and bookshelves) but if they have their own space to rest and relax, they might be more content to stay away from people-only places.
Both cats and dogs enjoy a cozy, out-of-the-way spot to unwind, sleep undisturbed, recover from illness, and more. A built-in space under the stairs or adjacent to a people place can keep pet beds from cluttering up living areas and allow your pet a stress-free retreat. Cats, unlike dogs, are natural climbers, and they will go to great lengths to get to great heights. A freestanding cat tree can serve that purpose, but built-in window seats, cat perches, or indoor/outdoor catios can scratch that itch without the ick of kitty paws in your kitchen sink.
In many families, pets are people too, and a home remodel is an excellent opportunity to create spaces that show how much you care.
With Crystal Remodeling, the distinction is clear. Let’s talk about how your big ideas can lead to better living for your people and pets.
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