Photo courtesy of Chewy
Pet parents know the struggle all too well; you want your dog or cat to feel comfy at home, but not too comfy that they’re ripping apart cushions and doing their business in the middle of the carpet. One way to make sure they have their own space is, well, to give them their own space.
Read on for some ways in which you can create a pet-friendly nook at home for your dog or cat with minimal effort—even if you’re short on space. First things first, make sure you pick a safe spot for your pet hangout. Choose an area that isn’t dangerous for your furry friend; this means it should steer clear of toxic materials that they could ingest, and not be situated too close to windows or doors through which they can escape, for example.
Once you’ve figured out what’s off limits, it’s time to determine where your pet nook can be. Odds are you have some unused nooks and crannies in your home, many of which, with a little bit of effort, can easily be converted into pet beds or play areas for Fido or Mittens:
The laundry room. The laundry room is probably not the most glamorous space in your home. But because it’s prone to spills and messes, it makes the perfect spot for your pet. Replace one lower-down shelf with a dog or cat bed, and store your pet’s food, toys and other necessities on higher-up built-in shelves. With a little plumbing help, you might even consider transforming your laundry room sink into a grooming station or pet bathtub. Voila!
The mudroom. Have a window seat or bench in your mudroom or entryway that you use as a drop zone for your family’s coats, bags and shoes? Transform the space underneath it into a puppy or kitty nook, or create a separate smaller bench area for him or her to cozy on up in. You can also hang a hook in here to help organize leashes and collars. Bonus: This will make it more convenient for your pet to welcome you when you get home.
Under the stairs. Transform that dead space under the staircase into a quiet area for your pet. Hire an expert (or DIY, if you’re handy) to cut a hole into the wall, then hollow it out and add comfy, cushiony carpet. Accessorize with pillows, a cat scratch post and/or their favorite toys. This is essentially the household pet version of a human reading nook, so don’t be surprised if you want one yourself.
The garage. If only half of your garage is used to park your car (and store stuff like a lawn mower or bikes), turn some of the other half into a pet paradise. Buy some shelves to store their food, invest in a cozy bed where they can nap and get a storage bin for toys that they can easily access. Depending on how much space you have here to spare, you can also have a little fun with the décor, and even build a cat wall your feline can climb.
The closet. Perhaps you have a walk-in closet that’s not living up to its potential, or an oddly shaped flex room that you don’t know what to do with. Here’s an idea: Turn into a mini doggie (or kitty) bedroom. Having one room for all their belongings means less clutter around the house, and a closet in particular means you can hang up their stuff (like those cute winter sweaters) with ease.
The furniture. If none of the above quite work for your space (or for your four-legged friend), you may just need to simply replace some of your existing furniture with more pet-friendly options. For example, the Venice dog crate credenza by Frisco (pictured above) or this side table dog crate will blend in seamlessly with almost any aesthetic, and gives your pet a hangout spot right next to yours.