Dog Friendly Home Design Favorites

Having a dog friendly home doesn’t mean letting your home go to the dogs. Quite the contrary! My favorite dog friendly home design ideas are dual purpose. They serve not only to meet your dog’s needs, but they add a level of style and convenience for busy dog moms (and dog dads too).

Dog Washing Station

Having a dedicated dog washing station has become a must-have on my dog friendly home design list. Using a 24″ x 40″ Bigtub Utilatub by Mustee, I created an At Home Dog Washing Station in my garage. It’s so convenient! No more dragging sand through the house after a beach trip, and no worries about it being too cold outside to use the hose. And because it’s in my garage, I don’t have to be overly sensitive about the splashes and loose dog hair that come with the territory of washing dogs.

But my set up does have its drawbacks. The girls could not be any bigger, or the utility tub wouldn’t work for bathing them. And if I were unable to lift them myself, there are no stairs for easy access. The perfect solution for these concerns is this custom dog wash by KGA Studio Architects.

Photo by KGA Studio Architects, PC – Look for entryway design inspiration

Their design is both beautiful and functional, providing a larger size for the big dogs. The stairs, which can be conveniently hidden away when not in use, are ergonomically situated. Your dog can enter straight into the tub without an awkward reverse turn. And the stair placement doesn’t interfere with the space you need to not only wash your dog, but to assist them in and out of the tub.

Built In Feeding Station with water spigot

In my kitchen, I have a a small counter space with a drawer and cupboard, which serve as my “dog cabinet”. Each of the girls has a bowl stand nearby for their food. And separately there’s a water bowl stand in the laundry room. Having a dedicated space for their food, treats, and medicine is essential.

But what I really need to amp up my dog friendly home design is a built-in feeding station. But not just any built-in feeding station. I’ve got designs on a custom feeding station with one of those fancy pot filler spigots, so I can fill the water bowl in place. No more carrying water from the sink, across the room, to where the water bowl lives. How genius is that?! It’s like a doggie mini wet bar!

Wall Entry Dog Door

Truly, one of the best dog friendly home design improvements I’ve made is Adding A Wall Entry Dog Door. With three dogs, I was in a constant battle of letting someone out, then back in, then out again. Now, with their very own PetSafe wall entry dog door, the girls have a little extra freedom to come and go as they please.

The internet is full of ideas to zhuzh it up a little and give your dog’s door some style. Consider interior upgrades like added framing, or a sliding barn door closure. Exterior additions might include a small awning, or porch stoop.

Custom Gates and Doors

If you’ve ever used a baby gate to block your dog from a certain area of your home, you know what a pain those gates can be. They are unattractive, always fall down, and a nuisance to store when not in use. Rock Paper Hammer has a better way! Their custom pocket dog gate provides a stylish, integrative solution to control your dog’s access to certain areas of your home.

Another unique dog friendly home design creation by the Rock Paper Hammer team is their dutch doggy door. What makes this dutch door unique is the bottom panel allows your dog line of sight to what’s on the other side. Having the ability to see through the door eliminates their need to jump up on bottom panel to look over.

Under Stairs Dog Cove

All dogs need a quiet place of their own. Whether you have crate trained your dog, or allowed them run of the house, a dog’s protective instinct will have them seeking a small space, often enclosed, that allows them to relax and rest. An Under Stairs Dog Cove is the perfect solution.

My girls use their under stairs dog cove all the time as a go-to space to snooze. If your dog is crate trained, adding a gate or barn door to the dog cove is an excellent way to integrate their “crate” space into your home.

Artificial Turf

Having dogs and a beautiful lawn can be challenging. My dream yard has an artificial turf lawn. Who’s with me? A high quality artificial turf is a major investment. But over time, it’s likely to be a savings compared to a natural lawn.

My water bill triples in summer months. I spend ridiculous money on fertilizers, insecticide and weed control, having to take extra caution on what products are used to keep the girls safe. I’ve had to re-sod large areas of the yard, not once, but twice. And my time is money! I’ve spent countless hours edging, mowing, pulling weeds, mulching potty spots, and repairing holes or other damage from rough play. Let’s not even talk about how much dirt muddy paws will track into the house. Artificial turf is not maintenance free, but it’s far less maintenance relative to a natural lawn. And as an added bonus, it looks green all year long.

When choosing an artificial turf for your yard, there are a number of things to consider:

• Choose a high quality product designed for pets. Not only will it hold up better to pet traffic, these products will feature antimicrobial properties and optimal drainage to minimize odors.
• The best products will be fade resistant and provide some level of protection or cooling from radiation heat transfer. This is especially important if you live in a hot climate.
• The pile height, or length of the grass blades, plays a part in both appearance and drainage. Longer pile height looks more natural, but lower pile height improves drainage. You’ll want to strike a balance in this department.
• Turf density typically ranges 40 to 80 ounces per square yard. A higher density turf is more lush and durable, but it’s also pricier.

Home Design for the Dogs

Smart home design choices are ones that work for your family. Dogs are the family we choose, so it’s only natural to consider their needs too. Incorporating any of these dog friendly home design ideas provides both form and function for you and your furry family member!