Creating a Pet-Friendly Home: The Rise of Barkitecture

From secretly supplementing our pets’ meals with a bit of whatever we’re eating to letting our pets up onto couches and chairs, pet parents have always made our homes comfortable for our four-legged pals. But some people are taking it a step further these days. “Barkitecture” is a new phenomenon that’s all about creating spaces indoors and out where our cats and dogs can live their best lives. It goes beyond putting window seats in bay windows or upgrading our HVAC with filtration systems to get rid of pet dander in the air. This is about prioritizing pet-friendliness by incorporating cool design features into our homes for the canines and felines. Here are a few ways to incorporate dedicated pet spaces in your place. In the kitchen Gone are the days when family members tripped over strewn-about food and water bowls. Instead, integrated pet-feeding stations are hugely popular today, and for good reason — mealtime nooks custom-built into kitchen islands or cabinetry corral food and water bowls, keeping busy kitchens streamlined and elevating dishes off the floor to promote better ergonomics and digestion. Opt for scratch- and water-resistant materials like tile, stone and vinyl plank, and consider built-in storage like pull-out drawers to keep pet food concealed but handy. Pro tip: you can even install automatic feeders to control portions and build in water dispensers with filtration systems to your cabinetry or island. In the mudroom or laundry room

If you’ve ever tried to give a dog a bath, you know how tough (and messy) it can be to do it in a tub or laundry sink. Pet-washing stations are incredibly handy when it comes to cleaning Fido’s muddy paws and bathing between grooming appointments. They’re also convenient if you have kids in sports and need to clean their equipment. If you’re incorporating a washing station, you’ll need to ensure you have plumbing (a water source and a drain), a non-slip surface (rubber mats or textured tiles can help), a handheld sprayer and a storage area for towels, shampoos and other supplies.