Tips For Blending Pet Zones Into Your Design Scheme

Pets are family, and they deserve spaces inside your home that are safe, comfy, and functional. Of course, the challenge is creating these pet zones without turning your home into a mini PetSmart. Fortunately, there are easy ways to integrate your pet’s belongings and spaces into your existing style, allowing them to blend in seamlessly.

Understand your pet’s habits and design dedicated zones around them. Choose pet products that match your home’s aesthetic and work with existing architectural features whenever possible. Modify furniture and items to incorporate your pet’s belongings into your space, and look for durable materials that hold up well to repeated wear and tear.

Nobody wants giant pet bowls or tattered dog beds detracting from their decor (not to mention a litter box). But the reality is, your pet needs these things. Therefore, keep reading to discover tips on blending your pet’s needs (and stuff) into your home’s design scheme.

First, Understand Your Pet’s Habits

Before incorporating anything for your pet into your design plan, you need to understand how your pet actually uses your home. For example, some cats love to perch on a particular windowsill and enjoy the sunlight, and others prefer dark, shadowy nooks.

Therefore, get to know your pet’s patterns and preferred places, so you can build their dedicated zones around these habits. Ultimately, you’ll end up with a lot more successful outcomes than trying to force something your fur babies will just ignore.

During your planning process, think about the following:

• Where does your pet like to nap?
• Think about your pet’s preferred places to eat, play, and hide.
• Does your pet like to be underneath blankets or perched atop the back of the sofa?
• Are there certain rooms your pet gravitates toward?

When you can design a space around existing behavior, you make things a lot easier on yourself. The plan becomes more manageable, sensible, and effortless than trying to force people or pets to adopt new ways.

Four Tips for Blending Pet Zones Into Your Design

After taking notes about your pet’s habits, it’s time to think about how to create pet-friendly spaces in your home. Here are some easy ways to get started.

1. Incorporate Pet Zones Into Architectural Features

Before trying to reinvent the wheel, why not see if you can blend in pet zones with existing features in your home? It looks more purposeful, and in many cases, you’re utilizing wasted space, which is a win-win.

You also don’t have to worry about spending money on new furniture or taking up additional floor space. A few ways to create pet zones using architectural features are:

• Underneath the stairs — Add a pet bed, toys, even food and water dishes. Install a small door if you want a way to close off the area when it’s not in use. If you need the space to double as an oversized crate, you could use a large safety gate across the opening (today’s options include wood slats, metal designs, and other styles that look intentional instead of the typical plastic baby gates).
• Wasted corners and alcoves — Do you have a corner, dormer, or alcove that’s empty or just housing a wilted plant? Turn it into a stylish, cozy retreat for your furry friend instead. Choose a pet bed that complements your furniture and style so that it blends in well with the space.
• Window seats — Who doesn’t love lounging on a sunny window seat? If this is your pet’s go-to spot, replace the cushion cover with a washable one that matches your color palette to make cleanup a breeze.

These are some of the most common features that can be converted into pet zones. However, you may have something unique to your house that could also work well.

Features like an old, inactive dumbwaiter, a random wall niche, or a decorative fireplace could all become potential pet pads with a little tweaking and modification. Look around and see what could work for you and your pet.

2. Choose Pet Products That Match Your Style

Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to find pet beds, crates, dishes, and even toys that match your style. You can even get mini-replicas of your furniture in pet bed form if you’re willing to pay the custom price.

Look for items that reflect the shapes, materials, and colors in your furniture and decor. You don’t have to tuck your dog’s bed out of sight, especially if it means they won’t use it. But you can hide it in plain sight by blending it into your design scheme.

The same goes for large items like crates. There are some fantastic options out there. Look for pet crates that look like furniture, and place one in the room your pet loves to hang out in the most. Add to the effect by placing a lamp or plant on top to further hide the fact that it’s for pets.

3. Get Smart And Stylish With Pet Storage

Pets need certain items, so it’s not like you can force them to be a minimalist. You’re going to have dishes, toys, leashes, grooming supplies, etc., but that doesn’t mean pet clutter has to take over your space.

The solution is to integrate pet storage into your home, so that it looks like it belongs there. Try these ideas to help with pet clutter:

• Use baskets or bins for pet toys that match the aesthetic of your design.
• Rotate toys seasonally so you don’t have so much out at once.
• Install a pull-out drawer with built-in bowls for an easy-to-hide feeding station.
• Modify an existing shelf or drawer to create a place for pet dishes.
• Use a decorative hook that matches your decor to hold leashes and harnesses.
• Keep walk essentials, like poop bags, in a slim drawer of a console table near the front door.

4. Look For Materials That Are Beautiful And Durable

Designing for pets follows the same rules as designing for humans, and the biggest rule is blending form and function. A well-designed space doesn’t just look good, it works well, too. It’s no secret that pets add to the mess. You end up with pet hair, scratches, dirt, and all other sorts of icks. That’s why choosing durable materials that can stand up to wear and tear is vital.

Consider pet-friendly flooring options like luxury vinyl plank (LVP), engineered hardwood, porcelain, tile, or sealed concrete. You want flooring that resists scratching and moisture but still has a pleasing appearance.

When it comes to upholstered furniture, removable, machine-washable cushion covers are the holy grail. But other easy-to-clean performance fabrics are also essential, like ultrasuede, microfiber, and leather.

Also, consider using outdoor-grade fabrics on the furniture pieces your pet seems to adore the most. If you have a piece you love that isn’t exactly pet-friendly, you can train your pet to keep off, or use pet covers or a blanket for some protection. Simply remove and wash the cover or blanket to keep things fresh.

Camouflage Is Key When Blending Pet Zones Into Your Design

Many of the things your pet needs are necessities, like litter boxes, scratching posts or pads, and dishes. It’s not like you can just avoid them or omit them from your home. It’s not fair to your pet. That’s why you need to shift your focus to how to make things less noticeable and cleverly hide your pet’s stuff.

Hide The Litter Box!

One of the biggest design challenges is often the litter box. Here are a few clever ways to hide it.

• Create a cutout in the side of a cabinet for your cat to access their litter box. When it’s time to empty or clean the box, just open the cabinet.
• Do a similar cutout on the side of a bench seat.
• Convert a furniture piece, like an end table or storage ottoman, into an enclosed litter box.
• Make a DIY litter box that mimics your other furniture.

Create A Beautiful Home With Pets

Blending pet zones into your home’s design scheme starts with understanding your pet’s needs and habits. Integrate your furry friend’s belongings and favorite spaces into your style through colors, materials, architecture, and ingenuity. Creating a beautiful, stylish, and comfortable home with pets means making your pets (and their things) feel like they belong.

Related Guides:

• How To Keep Your House From Smelling Like Your Pets
• 10 Clever Ways To Hide Your Pet's Stuff
• Easy Ways To Organize Your Pet’s Belongings