We all love our furry friends, but let’s be honest for a second… wouldn’t you love to add features into your home to make your life (and theirs) easier? Adding some pet-friendly details into your home remodel will add function that isn’t an eyesore. As a top-rated design and build contractor, we know that any updates you do to your home can help you raise its value- and that includes pet-focused features. According to Zillow, 65% of homebuyers have pets, most of that 65% owning at least one dog or cat. This means that when/if you decide to sell, over half of your potential buyers will be ecstatic with the built-in dog shower in your mudroom or the window perch and shelves for your cat. So do yourself (and furry friend) a favor with these 11 home upgrades for your pets that will pay you back tenfold!
Mudroom Dog Shower Station
If you could avoid having muddy paws tracking dirt and grime all over your floors, how much easier would your life be? Adding a shower station into your plans for your mudroom is always a good idea! Bathing your pup in the backyard works during warmer weathers, but bending over in your bathtub in January isn’t as practical as it sounds. Now that you’ve bathed your pet, you have to clean up the hair, dirt and grime out of the tub or shower that you use. When designing your mudroom dog shower, consider your and your pet’s mobility and select materials that are easy to clean, and durable against water and nails.
Build a Catio
If you have a curious kitty who loves the outdoors too much for your comfort, consider a catio. A catio is essentially a balcony or patio for your feline that is screened off. You can make this as simple or complex as possible- think perches or climbing structures, greenery, toys or beds for your cat to access visual and auditory access without them having free reign in your neighborhood. Catios could also be free-standing structures with a tunnel, but make sure you include a human entrance in case of emergency.
Ramps/Stairs
For smaller pets, or aging ones, adding ramps or stairs to your home can help with mobility around the house. They’ll be able to get on the bed, or couch on their own whenever they’d like!
Built In Pet Beds
Don’t we all wish we could sleep as much as our four-legged friends? Giving them their own built-in bed in your basement remodel will provide them comfort that is out of the way of visitors and might even be more appealing to them than your brand new couch! You could even add a gate to it to get rid of that kennel that is such an eyesore. Your fur baby will thank you and you could make it even more functional by adding storage on top for their favorite toys, treats and accessories.
Permanent Gates
If a built in dog bed isn’t up your alley- consider permanent gates to keep them in one area of your home while you’re away. Not only would you be getting rid of that huge kennel, but you’ll feel more at ease leaving during the day. Some pets are even able to knock over the baby gates you have set up. If you want to be able to keep your dog out of the kitchen, why not install a more attractive gate or half door instead?
Pet Doors
Imagine this: You sit down after a long day at work and get settled on the couch with your glass of wine and the newest episode of Yellowstone. You’re five minutes in and your dog needs to go out. Instead of getting up to let them out the back patio door, install a pet door so that they can let themselves in and out while you’re on your Netflix binge. You can also install pet doors indoors, and keep the dog away from the litter box with a door just big enough for your cat. There are tons of pet doors now that also have a locking feature to prevent pests (or the neighborhood cat) from coming into your home.
Dog Run
This is one of our favorite home upgrades for your pup- a fenced-in dog run in a part of your backyard. You could turn this dog run into a dog park and add features to stimulate their senses like toys, rocks, a dog house and even a water fountain! It’s a win-win, especially when hosting summer barbecues or fall bonfires to keep the dogs away from the food, fire pit or breakable glassware.
Cat Shelves
Naturally, cats are creatures that love to climb! We usually install shelving to display pictures, knick-knacks, or books. You can add a cat playground on your walls so you can replace that large, heavy cat tower with that gorgeous West Elm chaise you’ve been eyeing for months. When cats have things to do, they become less bored and will be less likely to scratch on your couch. Add hammocks, scratchers, and toys to your shelving unit to create the perfect cat-friendly haven that’s easier to install than a catio.
Window Perch
We all know how much dogs and cats love looking out of the windows in our homes. Give your pets the luxury of a front row seat to the outdoors without actually letting them outside! There are so many options for a window perch- you could have a suction cup mounted one for your cat or turn it up a few notches and add a window sill seat in the family room for your pet. We love the idea of adding a bench to a window seat with storage for pet toys and accessories for easy access and organization.
Heated Floors
Heated floors are a win-win for the whole family. If your dog or cat loves to lay on the floor vent in the winter to feel the warm air, consider adding heated tiles into your mudroom (with your brand new dog bathing station like we talked about above) to keep them warm and comfortable. Your furry friend might not even want to sleep in their own bed to enjoy the warmth of the heated flooring!
Smart Home
Consider adding door sensors to know where your pet is in the house, or automatic lighting for when your pet goes to the water bowl in the middle of the night. Smart home technology has come a long way over the past few years and there are so many different features that can greatly improve your household and your life being a pet owner. Pet doors that you can lock and unlock from your phone, indoor cameras to keep an eye on your pet while you’re away are just a few options.
If you’re curious at all about ways to incorporate upgrades for your four legged pal into your next home renovation, reach out to Morganco Design Build and schedule a free estimate so that we can help with your next home project!