You’ve designed your custom home to include everything you want and need: a large home office, a media room, a master suite with massive soaking tub and walk-in shower in the bathroom, indoor/outdoor space – the works. You’ve thought of everyone’s safety and well-being, right? What about your pets? Pets have certain needs that must be fulfilled by their living environment.
Table of Contents
All Pets
All pets need a home environments that takes their health and safety to heart. By designing for your pet’s comfort, you’ll find you’re fulfilling your own comfort needs as well. Pet-friendliness can start from the design phase, or be added as a remodel when your new pet joins the family.
Controlling Air, Light & Sound
Focus on these for yourself and your pet when starting to design your custom home. HEPA air purifiers will clear the air for everyone to breathe better – when pets are added to the mix, they help control fur, dander, feathers, and other animal shedding. Design a good ventilation system, especially in the case of exotic animals like birds, reptiles, and rodents.
Humans and animals alike need exposure to natural light. When that’s not possible, daylight-quality lighting with timers for animals with day/night cycles will make them feel right at home.
For “prey” animals, choose items that produce soft acoustics in their environment. Items like rugs, curtains, and sound-proof paneling help reduce noise – and stress.
Floors
Animals all have a few things in common: claws, the zoomies, and accidents. You want to pick floors that can handle whatever a pet can dish you. During the housebreaking or litter training process, you’ll want absorbent ‘pee pads’ as a backup, but consider installing:
– Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): waterproof, scratch-resistant, warm under pet’s sensitive paws
– Tile or porcelain: high durability and easy to clean
– Sealed concrete for indestructibility with a modern look and feel
Stay away from:
– Soft hardwoods that scratch easily
– High-pile carpet which locks in fur and pet smells
When floor shopping with your pet in mind, focus on mid-tone, textured flooring to help hide fur and scratches better than extremely dark or extremely light colors.
Furniture
Kids and pets make some of the biggest messes around the house. When furniture shopping, furniture with durable fabrics such as crypton, microfiber, or other tightly-woven fabric, and real leather are ideal. Go for real leather, not bonded, as the real stuff ages better with pets. If you don’t want to limit yourself on fabric type, choose the furniture of your dreams and invest in some washable fabric slip covers. When the pet hair builds up, just toss them in the wash to get rid of stains, smells, and hair.
Tip: choose colors that blend with your pet’s fur color. You won’t walk away without pet hair oo your clothes, but light-toned pet hair on your black leather couch or dark pet hair on a lighter surface will stand out more.
Pet Zones
Just as you want your own special hideaway, so do your pets. The effort will be worth it, as they won’t be monopolizing your or your family’s space. Creating a space just for them with a cozy bed or crate nook is just the thing. Put empty space – like the space under your stairs – to good use and create a space just for them without taking up floor space in another room. Additions like built-in draws or shelving keep pet clutter like food, treats, toys, leashes, and litter boxes contained and out of home traffic patterns.
For pets that reside in aquariums, terrariums, or cages on shelves, make plenty of room on the shelf, especially for multiple animals in separate living spaces which may be predator/pray to one another.
Scratch- and Chew-Proof Details
Animals have sharp claws and teeth, and need to keep them in shape. Without pet-friendly spaces and items, they use whatever is available. Get ahead of the damage by choosing furniture with rounded edges, cabinet and drawer latches to keep thieving pets out, and durable baseboards.
You’re reading this on a phone, tablet, or computer. Those devices are hard wired or connect via Wi-Fi to keep your home running smoothly. Animals are curious by nature, and loose cords are hazards. There are a number of cord management solutions that keep cords off the floor or tucked away. If your cords must cross living spaces (in the event of a single hookup location which may be impractical), consider covering those cords with area rugs, runners, or even small doormats or carpet remnants. It’ll keep pets from chewing or getting tangled.
Choose an Easy-Clean Layout
When designing your custom home with your pet in mind, layout is key. Not just for maneuverability, but for cleaning purposes as well. You may have already planned on a mudroom or extra large laundry room with utility sink, folding counter, and hanging bars. Treat your pet and make it a mudroom with pet-cleaning station and mess-resistant flooring. Include a rack with towels, pet-friendly shampoo, and whatever else you need to keep your pet clean and healthy.
Choose machine-washable or easy-clean rugs for around the house. There are plenty of patterns and styles that add color and class without looking utilitarian. Avoid spills of litter and food with plastic bins with locking lids, and lidded storage for medications or supplements.
Pet-Safe Plants & Building Materials
You may love the look of certain plants and the added benefit of their ability to effortlessly improve air quality, but some are toxic for your fur baby. Some pet-friendly picks include:
– Spider Plant
– Areca Palm
– Calathea
– Boston Fern
In addition to choosing the right foliage for your home, your choice of building and finishing materials can affect your and your pet’s health as well. One choice that makes your home more pet-friendly as well as environmentally sustainable is low-VOC paint. VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds – chemicals found in traditional paints (the ones that produce that ‘new paint smell’}. These chemicals can off-gas for years after the new paint smell fades, continuously recycling their toxic effects into the environment. Low- and no-VOC paints eliminate these toxins.
You may also choose natural paints made from plant oils, chalk, clay, natural pigments, or water-based paints. Another way to stay sustainable and pet-friendly is recycled paint – traditional paint that has been collected, processed, and repurposed. Finally, when choosing rugs or carpeting, or deciding how to clean them, avoid heavy chemical treatments.
Enrichment
Pets aren’t furniture – they’re living, breathing, social beings that need stimulation and enrichment. No matter what kind of pet calls your home its own, keep this universal enrichment philosophy:
If they can hide, climb, observe, and rest undisturbed, you’ve created an ideal environment for your pet.
Extend Pet-Friendliness Beyond the House
Now that you’ve accommodated your pet’s indoor needs, turn your attention outside. Animals that spend time outdoors benefit from fenced yards with visibility – they’ll stay contained for your peace of mind while staying stimulated watching the world go by.
Shade and water access are extremely important as well. In Michigan’s hot and humid summers when you’re reaching for a glass of water or setting up near the shade, give your pet the same access.
Make sure the terrain of the environment is safe for them, too. While you may like the aesthetic of a ‘rock garden’ or the maintenance-free convenience of gravel, your pet’s paws will protest – the heat and texture will damage sensitive paws. Instead, chose pet-safe turf or grass.
Emergencies
The tag on your pet’s collar that has their name on one side and your name and phone number on the other isn’t the only protection they need during an emergency. Neither is the microchip embedded in their skin – believe it or not, animals can ‘absorb’ the chip into their skin, which makes it undetectable to scanners.
Just as you plan for an emergency for yourself, make sure your pets are taken care of as well. Pet-proof your home in the case of:
– Power outages (back up heating for comfort)
– Accidental escape
– Vet transportation
– Temporary isolation
– Escape when home is in danger (pet door to escape into the yard away from indoor hazards)
Make sure you have on-hand:
– Travel containers for food and water
– Heat or cooling packs to help regulate body temperature
– Emergency contacts visible for everyone to see
Cats
Cats may be independent, ignore their humans, and seem like a very low-maintenance pet, but when prepping your home to be pet-friendly for your kitty, you’ll realize they’re anything but. Cats have very specific needs that will help them thrive and grow while also being a beloved family pet.
Vertical Space
Providing vertical space for cats is non-negotiable. If you haven’t provided it for them, they’ll find a way! Depending on whether you’re designing your cat-friendly home from the ground up, you’re remodeling, or living in a rental, there are ways to provide this space:
– Tall cat tree to reach near ceiling (ideal for rentals where wall damage can compromise security deposits)
– Wall-mounted shelves placed strategically to form a “cat highway” around the house
– Tall bookcases or other furnishings (be sure you’re okay with the damage that may come from this)
Litter Box Design
Yes, design. Cats are picky by nature and will let you know when they’re not satisfied. To please your kitty’s potty ritual:
– One box per cat, plus one extra
– Located in quiet, low traffic areas away from food and water
– Large, uncovered box (preferred by most cats)
– Built-in litter cabinets with ventilation for storage
– Washable mats that catch ‘tracking’ on the way out of the box
– Easy nighttime access
Scratching
It’s a survival instinct, not a behavior to upset you or grab your attention – unless you don’t provide an outlet. Cats love:
– Vertical scratchers that allow them to stretch their whole body as well
– Horizontal scratch pads
– A variety of textures (cardboard, wood, carpet, etc.)
To save your sanity and give your cat just what they need, be sure to place scratchers near sleeping spots, entrances, and where damage has already happened.
Safe Hideouts & Quiet Zones
My parents had a cat none of their friends believed existed. Whenever someone would come to visit, or even just drop a package at the door, she would run and hide. Giving your cat a place to disappear and recharge will keep them happy and healthy. This is especially true in multi-pet (not just multi-cat) homes. Offer:
– Enclosed beds
– Boxes (keep those Amazon boxes!)
– Under-bed or cabinet hideaways
– Calm rooms away from noise
Windows
Windows do more than let in natural light – they’re entertainment for your cat! To put it shortly, windows = CatTV. Your furry friend lives for surveillance, and watching outside will help fulfill this natural urge. Provide:
– Window perches or hammocks so they can sun themselves and watch the world
– Secure screens for when windows are open (cats can lean hard)
– Sun patches for naps (cats will lie in the middle of a room to take advantage of the sun patch there
– Bonus: place bird feeders outside so cats can watch (and you can keep them from attacking the birds)
Cat Claw-Survivable Furniture & Materials
In addition to the scratchers and cat tree, you’ll want to choose furnishings and materials that can survive your cat’s claws and lifestyle. Choose:
– Tightly woven fabrics (no loose weaves)
– Real (not bonded) leather
– Microfiber or other performance fabrics
Tip: choose patterns or mid-tones to hide fur and minor claw marks
Feeding & Water Preferences
While you eat and drink in the same place, your cat might not want to. Many cats prefer their food and water in separate locations. Choose shallow bowls or wide dishes – cats’ whiskers are for navigating their environment and constant brushing against bowls, food, or water can cause ‘whisker fatigue.’ Provide water fountains to encourage hydration throughout the day (remember to hydrate yourself!), and elevate bowls for easy consumption for senior pets.
Home Safety for Cats
Cats have predictably unpredictable behavior that make their safety in your home an important detail you want to cover to the fullest. Make sure to:
– Secure furniture that may tip or fall
– Cover cords and window covering strings (or opt for cordless window coverings)
– Choose pet-safe plants (see list above)
– Skip essential oil diffusers (toxic)
Cat-Specific Physical and Mental Enrichment
Bored cats become destructive quickly. Even with scratchers, if other physical and mental stimulation are not available, boredom sets in. Make sure to offer:
– Daily ‘play zone’ with enough space for toys like wand and string
– Puzzle feeders
– Catnip or silvervine stations
– Rotate toys to maintain variety and decrease boredom
Multi-Cat Harmony
When more than one cat lives in a home, there are specific things you can do to keep harmony between all the felines, as well as between the cats and any other pet in the household:
– Offer multiple vertical routes to avoid cornering
– Separate resources (give each cat their own food, water, and litter)
– Provide visual barriers
– Provide multiple rest areas where cats can go to get away
Dogs
Dogs are a unique pet indeed. They’re fiercely loyal to their owners, and need interaction to stay stimulated and healthy. Many items already discussed are perfect for dogs, but there are some additional needs dogs have that other animals don’t, including:
Dedicated Rest Space
“Let sleeping dogs lie.” Dogs love to sleep near their humans, or in a space they know is just for them. Set them up with an orthopedic bed, especially medium size dogs and larger, in a quiet corner away from most foot traffic. This area may also include a crate if you have crate-trained your pet. In hot and humid Michigan summers, add a cooling mat, especially if your pup has a thick coat. Keep in mind that summer doesn’t mean you need too move ‘their spot’ near HVAC vents or drafty doors. That sort of variation isn’t good for comfort, no matter the time of year.
Furniture & Layout
Whether or not you ‘let’ your dog on the furniture, they’ll interact with it. No matter how old your pup is, they love to stretch out, watch through windows and doors, and stay near their humans.
With these details in mind, choose:
– Low-profile furniture (easy on joints)
– Performance fabrics or real leather (both can take a beating)
– Access to windows without encouraging barking (consider frosted lower panels)
Whether or not your dog is “allowed” on the furniture, they’ll inevitably make themselves comfortable from time to time. Manage hair with washable throws or furniture slips.
Dog-Specific Physical and Mental Enrichment
A bored dog will help you with demolition and let you know it’s time to remodel, or remind you they need stimulation, too. Stave off boredom by:
– Having toy baskets in multiple rooms or a central location
– Designate ‘chew safe” zones with washable mats
– Opt for “puzzle” feeders over a traditional bowl and store them where you can rotate them
– Designate a space for training or indoor play (a long hallway works)
Home Safety for Dogs
Keeping your home safe for your pup is an invaluable peace of mind for you both. Make sure to include:
– Lidded trash cans (dogs love to dig and retrieve)
– Safety gates for off-limits areas
– Electronics cord management
– Food storage with locking lid
Climate & Comfort For Dogs
Dogs and humans experience temperature and climate differently. To keep yourself and your dog comfortable
– Focus on airflow and add fans when necessary
– Provide shade near sunny windows
– Offer heated beds for seniors and short-haired breeds
– Provide quiet spaces away from noise like thunder or fireworks
Breed & Age Considerations
Dogs are as different as humans. When planning your custom home, customize for your custom dog:
– Medium and Large breeds appreciate wider walkways and fewer stairs
– Small breeds appreciate ramps and stair treads to help negotiate spaces and obstacles larger than them
– Puppies: chew-proofing for everything mouth-level and below
– Seniors appreciate non-slip rugs, night lighting, and orthopedic support
Final Thoughts
The staff and designers at Acipe Design help you create your dream home that fits for you – and your pets. Whether you already have pets or are considering adding a new family member, keep these details in mind when planning. If you’re looking to design a custom home from the ground up that includes everything you and your pets need – Contact us!