I’m often asked to keep four-legged family members in mind when designing homes for my clients, and that’s an assignment I love. My family has a dog that we adore named Penny - she also happens to be the Chief Barkitect for Kara Cox Interiors. Since she’s the perfect consultant for all things pet related, we designed a special home-within-a-home for her, just in time for the holidays. Here’s a tour of Penny’s fabulous space, along with tips for creating your own pet sanctum.

The Perfect Spot

The first step is to find a great spot (or two) in the home for your dog or cat. A few spaces to consider include a laundry room, mud room, bathroom, kitchen, pantry, or bonus space. You could have feeding stations in the kitchen and a dog washing shower in the mudroom, for example. Make them convenient for both your pet and for you. We chose our new wet bar, which also acts as a butler’s pantry for the family. It has great storage for food, a sink for water, and places to store treats and leashes.

Comfort and Joy

Dogs like to feel cozy and safe - that’s why most of them like to be crated. So we included a big fluffy dog bed for Penny’s pen, so she can snuggle up and take a snooze when the holiday action gets too crazy. This space also offers her parent (that would be me) peace of mind when we head out to see the Christmas lights or visit the grandparents. Pens like this can also include lights, heat, sound machines, and other bells and whistles to spoil your pooch.

To Your Stations

I’ve always wanted a feeding station like the one above in our home. It can be pulled out for dinner time and then hidden away when guests arrive. These are great for under-cabinet areas, or you can design lower drawers in the kitchen to offer the same functionality. Also consider storage for food (wet and dry), treats, medicines, and other important pet needs. You can also have pet-washing stations, a space just for storing toys, and special places that hide the litterbox in your home. There are so many creative ways to design chic interiors that make pets feel at home, too.

Use these ideas to give your furry loved ones a great holiday treat! If you need help designing a home for you and your pets, give my team a call!

All the best,

Kara