At Metro Building & Remodeling Group we do a lot of different kinds of remodeling projects, like kitchens, additions and basements. We always begin any new project by asking a lot of questions about your lifestyle and the specific needs of your family members. If you are thinking about starting a remodeling project, there is one aspect that you maybe haven’t thought too much about: your pets.
According to the American Pet Products Association, about 68% of U.S. households include at least one pet. So, it’s not surprising that nearly a quarter of home remodeling and improvement projects include something that’s pet-friendly. They don’t need a room of their own, but when you are remodeling your home, there are many ways to integrate special spaces for them and make your life easier as well.
Since feeding your dog or cat is a daily chore, why not install a built-in feeding area to make it easier? Options include either a built-in food and water station shelf under cabinets or a slide-out drawer that holds the food and water bowls. Eliminate the need to drag around large bags of pet food by adding a dedicated cabinet with bins to hold a supply of food close by. Storage space for your pet’s toys and grooming tools are great additions for making your kitchen remodeling project pet-friendly.
Mudroom
Muddy paws and bathing your pet both mean big messes, but there are ways to make the dreaded clean-up task easier. One popular pet home improvement is a washing station, which can be incorporated into a laundry or mudroom that’s also a multi-purpose mudroom for the whole family. Start with the basics of easy-to-clean tile flooring and add a small shower area with a handheld shower head/sprayer and floor drain. A raised-height bathing station can save the family’s designated “groomer” from bending over and works well with a ramp or steps for an older dog.
Flooring
Your flooring choices make a big difference in ease of cleaning up after your pet. Carpet makes clean-up of pet hair or litter boxes difficult. A better choice for areas where your pets like to hang out is hard-surfaced flooring such as ceramic tile, which will withstand most scratches and can make your life easier when there is the inevitable “accident.” Tiled areas will help keep your pets cool in the summer, and radiant heated floors will keep them (and you) warm in the winter.
Think about your pet’s playtime needs when you remodel, both in terms of what they should and should not play with! Consider cat-safe window treatments. Instead of drapes or delicate curtains, select blinds and shades without cords to help avoid cat-related disasters. Cats need a safe place to play, jump, and climb. Install shelves on a wall for them to play on, or an elevated cat window seat where they can take a nap or watch the outside world.
The most popular pet-related home improvement, according to the survey we mentioned before, was adding a pet door. If you’re worried about uninvited strays or a family of raccoons moving in, it’s good to know that there are now models that link to your microchipped pets, so the door only opens for them.
Consider a built-in sleeping space for your dog or cat instead of a crate that takes up valuable floor space. This may help keep them off your furniture or out from underfoot while they sleep. Popular locations for these sleeping spaces are beneath cabinets and counters, under the stairs, or in bedrooms, mudrooms, or kitchens.
If you have pets, you know that they are a very important part of the family. So, when remodeling your home, why not add some pet-friendly features that both make life better for your pets and make it easier for you to care for them? With so many creative possibilities, there is truly something available for every pet and every pet owner!