SPECIAL SECTION: HOME DESIGN TRENDS: INSPIRED UPGRADES
PET AMENITIES
Four-Legged Luxury
A rising trend for homebuilders is pet amenities and a residential paradise built for man’s best
friend. From step-in wash stations featuring handheld sprayers and designated drying area, to
rooms dedicated to your dog or cat, pet considerations are one of the latest elements in home
design. Your pet is a part of your family and
pet-friendly design can accommodate up
to 170 square feet of your home. For some
homeowners this designated space for a pet
can also be shared space in the mud, laundry
or utility rooms. Using space as a goal from
the kitchen redo, creating space in the laundry
room for your pet can be easily attained by
purchasing a stacked washer and dryer unit.
This space saver can help expand the options
for your furry friend’s tub or basin, toys and
bed.
Carpeting and flooring are also a top
consideration—the more durable and easy to clean, the better. The list of must-have flooring
includes laminate, stone, marble, bamboo and cork. For homeowners leaning toward hardwood,
bamboo or carpet, each will need to be properly pre-treated to protect from soiling. If you want
to provide your pet with the ultimate in luxury, there is furry-friendly furniture that will make
your dog sit—and stay—including chic, fur-lined chairs, cool cat trees and exercise or pop-up
playpens. While pet pampering is all the rage for inside, it doesn’t stop at the screen door. When
it’s time to gather the family outside
for a backyard picnic, lemonade on the
deck, or a dip in the pool, your dog or
cat can stay cool shaded under a pavilion
pet gazebo, a way to keep pets close by
without the worry of them getting away
or having to be put in the doghouse.
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