Americans love their pets. So much so they are expected to spend more than $40 billion on their furry friends this year, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, almost double what they spent a decade ago. Although there are no statistics for how much homeowners spend on interior design elements for their pets, some choose to build a few cozy features for their furry companions (see the 2006 Kitchen of the Year for an example), while others go all out, such as the California couple that turned their entire home into a cat’s adventure land, complete with a floor-to-ceiling scratching column, ramps, stairs and a 140-ft. system of interconnected pathways that run along and through the walls.

If you can tap into this animal-obsessed market, you can profit from a very lucrative and under-served niche. Below are a few tips for designing pet-friendly kitchens and baths.


1. Solve the food bowl problem. Every pet owner has tripped over a bowl of water or Kibbles and Bits and, in any case, having pet dishes lying in the middle of the floor isn’t exactly aesthetically appealing. Consider building a special toe kick that can house food dishes. Other alternatives would be to create a special nook carved into a wall or into cabinetry.

2. Create a cozy place. In the above-mentioned 2006 Kitchen of the Year, the designer created a special cat nook by placing a small cushion near a window that the cats were fond of. Because the kitchen is generally one of the busiest rooms, you may want to place a mat or bed for a dog or cat somewhere so they can be included in the action.

3. Choose the appropriate flooring. Really do your homework when it comes to flooring options. Bamboo and cork are hot eco-friendly choices, but they scratch easily, especially when exposed to dog or cat claws. If a dog has a digging problem, linoleum may not be the best choice either. Most people wouldn't put carpet in the kitchen or bath, but if you do, remember that it traps pet hair. Therefore, tile and wood are probably the best options.

4. Incorporate appropriate storage. Think about where big food bags, leashes, dog crates and all the other paraphernalia that comes with owning a pet will go. For example, an oversized pullout cabinet bin under the sink and carefully placed hooks and drawers can add convenience and keep the home organized.

5. Make bath time easy. According to a recent study by Moen, 83 percent of respondents bathe their pets in their home or in a space just outside of the home, such as a driveway. If the vast majority of owners are bathing their pets themselves, why not make their lives easier with a special bathtub for dogs? One example is the JentlePet spa from MTI Whirlpools.

Gail Doby, ASID, president and principal designer at Renaissance Design in Denver, once designed a pet spa that had a shower handle located close to a bench, making it easier to bathe a dog, and cabinets with a Silestone countertop for grooming supplies. “[Pet-friendly design] doesn't come up that often,” says Doby, who owns two cats. "But it is an issue that is rarely considered and really needed." For ideas and products, she suggests contacting local grooming shops.

By Jennifer Brite