April 14, 2021

Pet-friendly kitchens are definitely on the rise, with many people working from home over the past year and spending more time with their pets. The last year saw a 118% increase in Google searches for “pet-friendly kitchen,” and “dog bed ideas for kitchen” saw a massive 2,700% increase. Creating a cover-worthy design with messes in mind is challenging, so Wren Kitchens has offered its top tips on designing a pet-friendly kitchen to keep everyone happy (and everything tidy!).

1. Incorporate a boot room. Muddy paws (and muddy boots!) are everyone’s nightmare, especially in the winter months. A bespoke boot room is a designated area to keep the mud at bay and helps prevent the dreaded dirt splattered around the kitchen and home. Create this practical yet pretty area near the door with space to store coats and boots, as well as hang collars and leashes from hooks. The main elements of a boot room are seating to perch, boot storage at the base, hanging racks and hooks overhead, as well as integrated floor-to-ceiling tower units to hide away all those extra items. If there is space it, will be worth considering a sink in the boot room area, such as a deep ceramic style to help clean any dirty paws as they come indoors.

2. Add a nook for the pet. It’s important that your client’s pet feels safe in its environment, so we’d recommend tucking your pooch or feline away in a quiet spot in the kitchen. These quiet nooks for your pets not only create a nice feature in a pet-friendly kitchen, but they’re extremely practical too and can create sleek storage for bowls, leashes and food. Don’t forget to tuck them away from danger and cooking areas, as smoke and fumes can make furry friends ill.

3. Choose easy-clean materials. The durability of the kitchen is important to endure the drool, dirt splatters and scratches that a pet will throw at it. Prevention is always best, so we’d advise opting for finish that can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth and soapy water. High-gloss units tend to show nose smudges and waggy tail swooshes, so it’s recommended to stay clear of these. Always pick an easy-to-clean floor – such as laminate or tiles – which are both durable and can be quickly swept or mopped to remove fur and paw marks. If tiles are your client’s thing, then choose a dark grout such as charcoal or black to avoid nasty stains over the years. If you’re looking to add a rug for a bit of warmth, choose one that’s washable so it can be easily cleaned.

4. Stick to dark tones. Darker shades such as charcoal, navy, raven black and forest green are the perfect hues to disguise those scuffs and blemishes.

5. Add hidden storage. Inevitably, owning a pet means your client has a lot more stuff to store, such as food, toys, leashes and towels to clean them down with. Choosing a dedicated area in the kitchen is the best way to keep the essentials in one easy-to-reach space in your pet-friendly kitchen.