Designing for Pets: Beyond Basic Accommodation to Enrichment

Bringing a pet into your home changes everything about how you live and how you use your space. Most British homeowners expect some mess—a few chew marks, muddy pawprints, and the odd hair tumbleweed under the sofa. But thoughtful design can go beyond simply tolerating your dog or cat. With a bit of planning and imagination, your house can work for every family member, furry or otherwise.

If you’ve struggled with shoving pet beds in awkward corners, wondered how to hide litter trays before friends arrive, or cringed when your dog barrels through your newly painted hallway, you’re not alone. I’ve spent years working with pet owners, witnessing first-hand how small changes can dramatically improve daily life for both humans and animals.

Why Traditional Pet Spaces Fall Short

The classic pet “corner”—a dog bed by the radiator or a scratching post lurking behind the television—rarely succeeds for long. Pets don’t just want a patch of floor. They want safety, stimulation, and daily interaction (or peace, if you have a nervous rescue cat).

Most ready-made pet furniture is designed to minimise embarrassment—not to fit your lifestyle or your house. Open-plan living rooms, period homes, and new builds with limited storage create new problems. You want a dog-proof AND presentable home.

RSPCA research shows that animals provided with spaces designed for their behaviour and comfort have fewer behavioural issues and better overall health.

Core Principles: What Makes a Truly Pet-Friendly Home?

Forget the idea of hiding your animal’s stuff. A great pet-friendly home works for your pets as much as for you:

• Every pet deserves its own sanctuary—private, comfortable, reliably theirs.
• Easy-to-clean doesn’t mean unattractive—choose finishes that do both.
• Connect indoors and outdoors for active, curious pets.
• Provide mental stimulation: scratching, climbing, hiding, watching, chasing.
• Integrate food, water, and litter in ways that fit your routines, not disrupt them.

Your living space will look better, smell fresher, and work for everyone involved.

Cat Owner Solutions That Actually Work

Cats are fussy about territory, privacy, and choice. You can solve the most common problems with targeted design tweaks.

1. Litter Tray Dilemmas

Nothing ruins a hallway or utility room faster than an exposed litter tray.

• Use ventilated cabinets or low-profile cupboards with cut-outs to hide trays. Keep at least two exits if there are multiple cats.
• Place litter away from food and water areas—use shelving, low cabinets, or Ikea-hack benches.
• Choose non-slip, easy-wash mats for entrances and exits.

2. Vertical Territory

Cats need to climb, perch, and observe. Period.

• Install wall-mounted cat shelves and ramps on blank walls or alcoves.
• Add window perches or climbable shelving near bright spots.
• Integrate cat trees in awkward corners, using textures that match your home.

3. Scratching Outlets

Pushing a single post into a corner isn’t enough.

• Place sturdy scratchers at every major junction—doorways, bedroom entrances, and next to sofas.
• Use horizontal scratching mats or woven rugs as part of your room design.
• Refresh or rotate scented scratch points to keep interest high.

Creating Dream Spaces for Dogs in British Homes

From tiny flats in Brighton to detached homes in the Kent countryside, dogs quickly make their needs known (often on your clean floors). Smart design fixes their biggest lifestyle obstacles.

1. Bed Placement with Thought

Don’t tuck beds behind the sofa. Dogs want to be close—but not in the way.

• Position beds in the main living zone but away from heavy traffic.
• Use washable, non-slip covers in materials that complement your furniture.
• Take advantage of bay windows for sunbathing spots.
• Provide a second quiet perch in a private corner or utility room for downtime.

2. Muddy Paws, Wet Fur—Utility Zones Matter

In the South East’s rainy months, you need a plan before dirt reaches the living room.

• Build a dog-wash space in the utility area: a raised platform and hand-held shower make it easy.
• Store leads, towels, and poo bags in a wall-mounted cupboard by the back door.
• Use durable block flooring or non-slip tiles in pathways from the garden to the kitchen.
• Position an absorbent mat inside and outside the door.

3. Open-Plan Living With Dogs

Modern kitchens and lounges often feel exposed. Some dogs crave a den, especially in busy households.

• Create a built-in nook beneath the stairs or an island with a comfy bed and chew-proof walls.
• If space is tight, use a dog crate disguised as a side table or a low cabinet.
• Tuck a travel water dish near main entrance points to avoid constant spills.

Smart Storage for Pet Gear

Leads in one room, toys in another, treats in the third—sound familiar?

Instead, dedicate storage for each category:

• A hallway cupboard for leads, harnesses, coats, and outdoor toys
• Kitchen drawers just for pet food and medications
• Baskets for toys in both lounge and garden, rotated weekly to keep pets interested

For practical storage tips, see Reimagining Storage: Creative Solutions for the Modern Home.

Pet-Friendly Materials That Look Good

Animals shed, scratch, and sometimes chew. That’s a fact. Choose finishes and fabrics with British life in mind.

• Pull-tight woven upholstery stands up better than loose knits or velvets.
• Hard floorings like sealed timber, luxury vinyl, and ceramic tiles are easy to clean.
• Avoid looped carpets—claws get stuck and threads unravel.
• Opt for low-gloss paint on skirting and walls; it’s easier to spot-clean.

Explore more advice on finishes and wellbeing at Sustainable Luxury: Eco-Friendly Materials in High-End Design.

Outdoor Space for Active Pets

Even a small garden can become a pet paradise:

• Use secure, low fencing (especially for cats and small dogs)
• Add shaded quiet corners with bushes or small structures
• Plant pet-safe grass blends and herbs—avoid toxic plants like lilies and foxgloves (see the RSPCA’s Pet-Safe Plants List)
• Provide fresh, clean water at all times

Building a catio? Look for robust mesh, easy-to-clean flooring, and climbing opportunities at multiple levels. For dogs, consider areas to dig, a splash pad, and rotation of durable outdoor toys.

Simple Upgrades for Any Pet-Lover on a Budget

You don’t need endless funds or a massive house to give your pets a better life.

• Repurpose an old shelving unit as a cat tower with carpet remnants and brackets.
• Convert an under-stair cupboard to a dog den with a washable cushion.
• Use wall-mounted storage baskets to keep leashes, bags, and brushes near every entrance.
• Add an extendable child gate for easy room division when needed.
• Try peel-and-stick vinyl tiles in pet feeding zones for quick cleaning.

Enrich Your Pet’s Day-to-Day Life

British animals, like their owners, can get bored and frustrated. Boredom leads to destructive behaviour, not because your pet is “naughty,” but because their environment isn’t meeting their needs.

Try these enrichment strategies:

• Rotate toys weekly to keep interest high.
• Use puzzle feeders at mealtime.
• Position beds or perches where pets can safely observe outdoor life.
• Introduce new textures, sounds, or scents with household items.

For more insights on multi-sensory design, see Sensory Gardens: Designing Outdoor Spaces for All Five Senses.

A Happier, Harmonious Home—for You and Your Pets

Designing for pets is about sharing your life—not just your square footage. When you adapt your spaces to fit their natural behaviours, you gain a calmer, cleaner home and a happier animal.

You deserve rooms that look good and function for your whole family, paws included. Rethink your approach. Put love and care into building spaces that work for everyone—tails, whiskers, and all.

What are your top challenges and wins as a pet owner designing your home? Think about where you can add comfort, flexibility, or fun—for both you and your four-legged friends. Why not start with one corner of your house today? Your pet (and your sanity) will thank you.