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.
INDOOR-OUTDOOR
CONNECTIVITY
Decked Out
Your living space doesn’t have to be contained within the four corners
of your home. Discover the flow of open-concept living that expands
from beyond the kitchen and den and into the great outdoors. Creating
an all-in-one space—where there is an indoor-outdoor connectivity—is
more on trend than ever. From a design perspective, you can start at the
door with a grand entrance. If you don’t already have a suitable entryway,
consider building French-style doors that lead onto your deck. You want
the outdoor space in your home to transform into another living room
with the addition of a few key pieces and accessories.
Start from the floor up and begin sectioning off areas to create
more interest and to give the illusion of more space. The easiest way to
accomplish this is with area rugs. A natural jute rug is one of the most
outdoor-friendly styles you can use. From here, you can position a
decorative table and accessorize by placing lanterns and potted plants
along its center. Grouping chairs and ottomans together to build cozy
nesting spots is an easy way to add comfort to the outdoors. One of the
most popular outdoor furniture materials is wicker, especially paired
with chic cushions. Others include wood, resin, sling and metal. Each
one is a great option in terms of durability and affordability. Beyond the
design and texture you can create outdoors, you can build on bringing
the inside out with lighting, entertainment and music. n
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