How to Make a Pet Room: Ideas for Dogs & Cats
Whether they’re cuddling up with you on the couch or on the lookout for dropped morsels as you’re making dinner, your furry friends are there when you need them. While their love and devotion are the reason why we adopt dogs and cats, both people and pets need alone time. Pet room ideas that include storage for supplies and toys, a cozy, durable bed and stylish decor benefit the whole family.
Overview
Want to set up a special place for the furry members of your family? In this article, we’ll help you:
- Choose the best spot for your dog’s room
- Decide what furnishings you’ll need for dogs
- Determine the best place for your cat room
- Pick out feline friendly furniture
- Personalize your pet’s room with pet themed decor
- Understand which upholstery and rugs work best with pets
What Is a Pet Room?
A pet room can take different forms. You can design one in a guest bedroom or a corner of your living room, depending on your available space. Dogs and cats also have different needs during every stage of their lives. What you put in your pet room and how you choose to decorate it will have a lot to do with your unique animal and your style.
Providing your furry family members with a pet room as a safe, quiet space keeps them calm and out of trouble. Parties can be overwhelming, and home improvement projects may be dangerous for free-roaming cats and dogs. When thinking of pet room ideas, consider how often your pet will stay in it, the space’s size and the supplies or furniture you will need to keep them comfortable.
When working out how to make your dog’s room perfect, think about your available space. Choose a room that’s cool during hotter months to prevent double-coated dogs from overheating. Features like ceiling fans help with air circulation, while windows with a view of the yard can keep them entertained when you’re away. Not sure which area is best? Here are some ideas for a dog room to help you brainstorm.
Entryways
Any place close to an entrance, such as a mudroom or front foyer, provides quick access to the outdoors when it’s time to go for a walk. Entryway storage offers plenty of room for leashes, harnesses, collars, treats and other walking supplies. Adding an outdoor rug can also help reduce messes caused by dirty paws.
Living Room Corner
Devoting a part of your living room to your dog may require some adjustments, but it allows your pet to join in on family fun or take a break while giving them the run of the house. This arrangement is especially useful for training young puppies. Depending on their size, wire kennels can tuck neatly underneath console or end tables so they are accessible but out of the way.
Your Bedroom or Kids’ Rooms
Sharing a room with your furry best friend can be a great idea too. Carve out a section close to your bed for their crate, bowls and toys. Concerned about space for larger breeds? Repurpose an outgrown toddler bed as a spot for your pup. Kids’ trundle bed can also keep your child’s favorite companions close while giving them both their own space.
What Should Be in a Dog’s Room?
Once you decide on the best spot in the house for your dog’s room, you can start filling it with the essentials to store toys, leashes, cleaning supplies and more, along with cozy furniture items. Of course, as you make your choices, keep your dog’s safety and rough-and-tumble playtime habits in mind.
Dog Room Storage Ideas
Chances are your pet has almost as many belongings as you do, including tasty treats, fun toys, leashes and grooming tools. Some pet supplies like spray cleaners or medications you’ll want to keep in your dog’s room but out of reach of curious canines. Keep your pet space tidy with these dog room storage ideas:
- Use wall-mounted shelves and credenzas with doors to keep cleaning supplies, flea treatments, grooming kits and treats securely tucked away.
- Coat racks or hall trees organize leashes, harnesses and totes while doubling as a spot for your own sweaters, shoes and other walking gear. Is your pet especially clumsy or rambunctious? Consider larger, pieces like bookcases or room dividers to stash their stuff.
- Dog toy storage is essential to decorating the ultimate canine room, so look for items that serve a dual purpose. For example, decorative accents like baskets in varying sizes let pups grab their favorite toys and keep fresh towels ready for bath day. Sharing a home office space with your pet? Consider using an empty file cabinet to organize all their stuff.
Durable Dog Beds
Every pet deserves a cozy spot to rest at night. While comfort is crucial, you should also look for durable pet beds that stand up to claws, teeth and the occasional accident. Search for quality beds with features that work with your individual animal’s needs, including:
- The Lessie Green Pet Bed is a dog couch bed that features moisture-resistant velvet upholstery. Its clever sofa shape fits in perfectly alongside a contemporary living room set.
- With its low-profile design, the Leralynn Brown Pet Bed is ideal for small breeds, older dogs or pups with mobility issues and has a solid, acacia wood frame for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Made with washable, waterproof velvet, the Spaniel Gray Pet Bed blends right in with classic living room decor. This luxury gray dog bed features rolled arms and nailhead trim to coordinate with traditional seating or to serve as the focal point for a dedicated dog room.
How to Set up a Room for a Cat
Our feline friends are independent creatures who enjoy romping around at night, chasing small toys and snoozing in sunlight. When creating your cat room, think about your cat’s behavior as you choose a location. Need more inspiration? We’ve listed a few cat room ideas to consider:
- Enclosed Patio or Sunroom: Cats prefer warm sunlit perches near windows to stretch out for an afternoon nap or watch the local wildlife. An enclosed porch with cozy patio furniture is ideal, especially if you have more than one cat.
- Nooks, Closets and Corners: When they’re not stretching out to bask in the sunlight, cats also like to curl up in quiet places. In smaller spaces like a studio apartment, cozy nooks beneath staircases, spare closets and empty corners are easy to convert into feline-friendly hideaways.
- Office: Try designating part of your home office as a cat room by filling it with fun toys and climbable towers to keep your pet entertained. Invest in a desk chair that’s roomy enough to share, so your purring pal can curl up on your lap while you work.
Choosing Furniture for Felines
After deciding on a location for your pet’s new hangout, design a cat room that complements your other decor. Cats take advantage of all available space, so multi-functional furniture is a must. As you brainstorm how to make a pet room for your favorite feline, remember to include pet beds, storage for cat toys and supplies, creative play options and an appropriate spot for the litter box.
Saving Space With Multi-Purpose Pet Sofas and Furniture
Cats are energetic animals that, when they’re not napping, like to jump, climb and prowl, making full use of the space they have. As you begin decorating a cat room, choose pet furnishings carefully and opt for pieces that store their toys and treats efficiently while also giving them a comfy spot to nap.
Here are some ideas for organizing a cat room:
- Tall cabinets with doors or a