According to estimates, there are an astounding 10.2 million dogs in the country. Additionally, studies reveal that during the COVID lockdown, more households adopted four-legged family members. So it shouldn't surprise anybody that more and more of us are looking for methods to build pet-friendly homes, particularly in the kitchen.
We are looking right now! Google searches for “Dog-Friendly Kitchens” have increased 118% in the past 18 months. In contrast, there was a 200% spike in “Dog Bed in Kitchen.” The number of searches for “Dog Bed Ideas for Kitchen” increased by an astounding 2700%. Also growing by 490% was “Dog Bed Under Kitchen Worktop.”
We could go on, but we believe you get the idea. Google searches for anything, including the words “dog” and “kitchen design,” have recently increased.
First things first – Can you have a boot room?
Although it's only feasible in some homes, having a utility or boot room is an excellent idea. In the hotter summer months, it's less of a problem, but we are now well into the seasons where almost every journey our four-legged companions take outdoors will result in muddy paws returning inside. It may be a lifesaver to have a boot room where paws can be dried off and cleaned before going into the rest of the home.
A utility area is undoubtedly wonderful for the kids (and the entire family) to store their coats, boots, and wellies. Ceramic tiles that are easy to clean create the ideal flooring. The utility room should also contain a deep ceramic sink suitable for a little dog and a child's feet.
A boot room can be an option if you are starting from scratch with your kitchen design or are considering adding an addition. If so, make an effort to include a low bench or lounging area, floor-level boot storage, and overhead hooks.
Dog-friendly kitchens: Consider easy-clean surfaces and dark colors
Choose a simple floor, such as laminate or tiles, if you are constructing a kitchen from scratch. Either surface is simple to wipe, mop, or clean with a brush. It will save you a tonne of time and give you a gorgeous kitchen floor. If you have dirty animals, sweeping or brushing is the least efficient way to clean the floor. Brushing only moves the pet hair from one-floor area to another. The best vacuum cleaner has a hard floor setting. If it doesn't work, paw prints may usually be removed using a mop and soapy water.
Mishaps sometimes happen, especially regarding little pups and “toilet accidents.” This is why easily washable surfaces are a need. There is no limit to how much stomping may be done on tile and vinyl flooring. Surfaces won't become scuffed up over time!
Darker color schemes often do a better job of hiding scratches and flaws. Fortunately, deeper tones like dark green and navy blue are some of the most fashionable and appealing colors right now.
What qualities do a dog-friendly kitchen have then?
Everyone who owns a pet will concur that our pets play a vital role in the household. All family members must be considered when buying a new house or a new kitchen. When it comes to our dogs, we must think through their requirements in the same way we would when considering a toddler's needs and ensuring that everything is child-friendly. Remember that your dogs' requirements are the same as those of the people who reside in your house.
Thinking about your daily routine and that of your dogs should be the place to start. What can you do to make the kitchen a more secure, practical, and welcoming environment for the whole family to use? It's crucial to provide a place for the dog's belongings. You can maintain the kitchen appear neat and clean by doing so. Additionally, it will avoid certain mishaps like stumbling over the dog dish with a hot skillet in your hand.
Read More – Ways to Maximize Kitchen Bench Space
Does the design of the kitchen matter?
Practically speaking, slab, flat-faced kitchen cabinets and doors are simpler to clean than paneled or Shaker-style doors. If you already have the former or if a new Shaker kitchen is something you want, though, you shouldn't panic.
A dog-friendly kitchen's flooring selection is far more crucial than its cabinetry. The dog won't be stepping on the cabinets, even though they will likely be all over the floor! However, you should undoubtedly give low-hanging shelves and open end units some thought. A dog is quite likely to knock things off with its tail or take things off with its mouth if anything looks fascinating enough, not only will they attract dust and dog hair.
Consider durability and sanitation for a dog-friendly kitchen
Cleanliness and toughness should be your top priorities if you want to design a kitchen that is ideal for dogs. Consider using tabletop materials that are scratch resistant and simple to clean after being contacted by small grubby paws.
Upstands along the edges of worktops generally facilitate cleaning. We have previously stressed the significance of selecting durable flooring materials, such as sealed laminate or tiles, that are simple to wipe up and maintain. Harder woods are the ideal choice if solid wood floors are something you want. Oak and mahogany are resilient and less prone to sustain water-stain damage.
How to make your kitchen dog-friendly
The great thing is that you should only need to make a few adjustments to your current kitchen to make it slightly more dog-friendly.
Cabinet fronts and doors that are pet-proof are ones that won't get scratched or dented by those over excited paws and claws. However, this does not imply that you must build a completely new kitchen. Improvements may be quick, efficient, and reasonably priced. Why not replace your existing doors with replacement ones for your drawer fronts? You may select surfaces with high gloss laminate and no maintenance. Muddy paw prints and other marks will be simpler to remove.
An all-inclusive kitchen that is warm and cozy
Although the kitchen is sometimes described as the “heart of the home,” the actual lifeblood of the household is the family. Pets are as much a part of the family as Mom and Dad, as any pet owner can relate to. This implies that you must create a warm and inviting place in your bespoke kitchens for every family member, both human and dog.
This does not necessarily require you to lose style. Broadly said, the best pet-friendly kitchens are attractive, functional, and integrated areas that let dogs be part of the family. Most importantly, they are kitchens without extra clutter or dangers for the paws and tails of our furry pets. You should be able to design the ideal dog-friendly kitchen with the help of the advice and suggestions provided in this article.
