It’s no secret that pets are some of our most important family members. From acat or dog to a beautiful bird, all pet parents want to give their bestfriends a comfortable space and lots of love. One way you can make your pet’slife better is by providing them with a cozy, convenient pet nook. Thisdesignated space will give your animal companion their own little part of thehome where they can sleep, eat, and feel comfortable. Read on to discover howto design your very own special pet room to make your pet’s life at home thebest it can be.
Planning
Before you have fun decorating your pet nook, there are some key things to dobefore you start. Planning ahead will ensure that this new space for your petis safe and convenient for everyone in the family.
Prioritize their safety. Choose a place that’s safe for your pet wherethey cannot accidentally escape. Ensure that they don’t have access topotentially dangerous items like paints, household chemicals, or anything elsethat pets could accidentally ingest. Measure the area you choose to ensurethat your companion will have plenty of room and won’t feel claustrophobic orcrowded. The area should be quiet and comfortable, away from outside noise sothat your pet will feel at ease.
Choosing the right place. There are plenty of areas you can use as adesignated pet space. Brainstorm some spots inside your home that arecurrently going unused or areas where you just cram things away for storage.Whether it’s a spot underneath the stairs, a corner of your laundry room, or asection of your kitchen, determine which location will be best for you andyour pet before you start designing it.
What you can do
Whether it’s an entire room or just a cozy corner, here are some suggestionsto help you determine which option will be the best for you and your pet.
Pet room. Giving your pet an entire room is quite a gesture, but it canalso be convenient if you have a large dog or tons of extra space. If youdesign a pet room, make it into its own little bedroom for your pet where theycan take comfy naps or retire for the night. If you have a cat, add a niceperch to a sunny window so they can enjoy the view. Look at how the room islaid out, and think about new ways to adapt it to fit your pet’s unique needs.
Pet nook. Unlike a complete pet room, a dog nook or cat nook carves out asmall part of an existing room for your pet to enjoy. This area can be aperfect spot to place their bed and a few toys, so they always know where torest and recharge. Pet nooks can be anywhere you want, from choosing uniqueliving room furniture that features a built-in cubby to setting up a corner ofyour eat-in kitchen. A section of your laundry room is another excellentoption, and it’s also a perfect place to store leashes, extra dog food, andtoys.
Pet spa. If you have the means, consider designing a special pet spa foryour home. This grooming station will give you a place to bathe and groom yourdog without having to drag them to the groomer’s every time their coat needssome TLC. A pet spa is beneficial if you have dogs that love to get muddy andmessy outside. Contact a bathroom remodeling contractor to find out how toincorporate an exceptional dog bath or grooming station into an existingbathroom. You can also opt to have one built from scratch if you have themeans to do so.
Pet Nook Ideas
If you need some inspiration, here are a few creative pet nook ideas to helpyou get started.
In the kitchen. Look for a part of your kitchen that tends to go unusedand make that your special pet nook. Place a small dog or cat bed there alongwith your pet’s food and water bowl. You can use a section of your kitchencabinets and counters to store all of your pet’s food, toys, and medications.This is an easy way to design a quick pet nook, and since the kitchen flooringdesign is all ready to handle spills and messes, it’s a perfect spot.
In the entryway. If your home has a decent-sized entryway or foyer, usepart of it as your pet nook. You can add a beautiful wooden pet crate thatdoubles as a comfortable bench for guests. Try to incorporate your pet’sfurniture into the entryway so that it blends nicely but still gives them acomfortable space where they can rest and relax.
Under the stairs. If you have a hollow space underneath your stairway,consider making this a comfy pet nook. Cut a hole out for entry and exit, andadd soft carpeting as well as a comfy, cushy bed. This special nook under thestairs gives your pet a place to “hide” where they’ll feel safe and securewhile also giving them their own private space that’s out of the way.
Laundry room. A laundry room is a great place to create a pet nook, mainlybecause the floors are usually already designed to handle moisture and messes.Pick a spot in this room for a dog bed and install shelving to store pet food,treats, and other items so that everything is close at hand. You can also usean empty lower cabinet if it’s available and transform it into a cozy bed.
Fit into your furniture. From sofas and chairs to tables, there are lotsof unique ideas you can use to incorporate a pet cubby into your furniture.Many companies make these products especially for pet owners so their furryfriends can be near the rest of the family. Look for special pet furniturethat is spacious enough for your companion to be comfortable yet cozy enoughfor them to feel like they’re safe and “hidden” whenever they go inside it.
Designing and Organizing Your Pet Nook
Here are some simple suggestions to help you put the finishing touches on yournew pet nook:
Color scheme. Pick out a paint color that you can add to the pet nook ifit’s a new area or a spot that’s specially made just for your best friend.Darker colors won’t show scuffs or marks as easily as lighter ones will.Choose a quality paint that’s easy to wipe clean once it’s dry, and addpillows and accessories in a complementary color for a beautiful finishingtouch.
Include a spot for toys. Place a basket filled with toys near your pet’sbed or in the nook, so they have access to their favorites.
Install hooks. Wall hooks are perfect for leashes, extra collars, andother pet accessories. Install some hooks nearby so that you can grab whateveryou need and go.
Multi-purpose furniture. Get more from your pet nook by addingmultifunctional furniture like a storage bench that doubles as a bed or aplatform-style pet bed with a food and water bowl drawer underneath.
Choose the right dog crate. Your dog crate should be roomy and give yourbest friend the ability to look outside. A piece of living room furniture likea side table with a built-in dog crate works well since the dog will still beable to stay near the rest of the family.
Provide the right bed. Make sure your pet has a comfortable, soft bed thatgives them lots of support. Look for cat and dog beds made of memory foam witha plush cover so they feel comfy and sleep soundly. Machine-washable pet bedsmake keeping them clean much more convenient, too. You can also find a pet bedwith a removable, washable cover.
Choose the right flooring. If you’re designing a brand-new pet nook, makesure you install durable flooring that’s waterproof and easy to clean. Stonetile and concrete, as well as luxury vinyl, are all excellent choices sincethis material is inexpensive and cleans up nicely.
Include a food station. Set up a feeding area for your pet in his or hernook so that everything is together. A food station with a stand that holdstheir food and water bowl is a great option.
Other considerations
Here are a few other things to consider when you design your pet nook.
Make it peaceful. Locate the nook in a quiet part of your home wherenoises won’t distract your pet or keep them from sleeping. The quieter thearea is, the more your pet will want to use it.
Build around it. Have some fun and build around your pet nook by adding astructure with storage drawers or a pull-out food bowl. If the pet nook isunder the stairs, create a cute “doghouse” design around the entrance to giveit some personality.
Design it to fit your home décor. You want your pet nook to be part ofyour home rather than make it feel like it’s an entirely separate space, sodesign the spot to fit in with your existing home décor. You can do this bychoosing a similar color scheme and materials that coordinate with the rest ofthe home. For example, if your home is modern, add a modern-inspired pet bedor pet furniture to the nook. If you love the rustic look, add a charmingfloral printed bed to the nook for a sweet touch.
Show your pet the love they deserve with a beautiful pet nook. Thepossibilities are endless, from a space in your kitchen or laundry room to asecret pet bed under the stairs. With the right accessories and some simpleplanning, you can easily create a special part of your home that’s reservedjust for your most beloved family members.
Originally posted on Porch.com
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