What makes a dog friendly kitchen?
What makes a dog friendly kitchen?
UK has traditionally been regarded as a dog-friendly country. According to the most current poll, 27% of UK people own dogs. The United Kingdom has an estimated 10.2 million dogs. According to research, more homes adopted four-legged family members during the COVID-19 lockdown. As a result, it should come as no surprise that many of us are looking for approaches to creating pet-friendly homes, particularly kitchens, that keep your dog as part of the family.
We are definitely searching! Over the previous 18 months, Google searches for the term ‘Dog-Friendly Kitchens’ have increased by 118%. Meanwhile, ‘Dog Bed in Kitchen’ experienced a 200% spike. In fact, ‘Dog Bed Ideas for Kitchen’ has seen a staggering 2700% rise in searches! Dog Bed Under Kitchen Worktop‘ also increased by 490%.
We could continue, but we believe you get the point by now. Google searches for anything including the words ‘dog’ and ‘kitchen’ have recently increased dramatically.
Pet friendly kitchens are a priority for furry parents
Since lockdown, more people have been working from home, so we’ve spent more time with our dogs than ever. The biggest major problem for many people in getting a dog has always been the need to leave them at home while they went to work. However, with the immense growth in remote and hybrid work patterns, this is no longer an issue of concern. Many dog parents now make having a dog-friendly kitchen a top priority.
Whether you’re planning a full kitchen renovation or simply want to know what to change around the house before bringing a new furry friend home, here’s how to create and maintain the ideal pooch-friendly area – and the ultimate dog-friendly kitchen space.
Create a boot room for your furry friend
Although not practicable in all homes, having a utility or boot room is a wonderful idea. It’s less of an issue in the warmer (and dryer) summer months, but we’re now well into the season when almost every trip outside by our four-legged friends results in muddy paws returning home. A boot room, which allows paws to be dried and wiped down before entering the dog-friendly home.
Surely, a utility space is ideal for the kids (and, indeed, the entire family) to store their wellies, boots, and coats. Ceramic tiles that are easy to wipe clean are ideal for flooring. The utility room should include a deep ceramic sink that is suitable for little puppy paws and little kiddie feet.
If you are constructing a new kitchen or considering an extension, a boot room may be an option. If this is the case, consider adding a low bench or seating, boot storage on the floor, and ceiling hooks.
Opt for easy-to-clean floors
If you’re starting from scratch with your kitchen design, use an easy-to-clean floor like tiles or laminate. Either surface can be easily wiped, mopped, or brushed, making it ideal for a kitchen remodel focused on pet safety. It will save you a lot of time while also creating a beautiful kitchen floor. Brushing or sweeping is the least effective way to clean a floor if you have dirty animals, so consider using appropriate cleaning products for a pet-friendly home. Brushing simply spreads pet hair from one area of the floor to another. A vacuum with a hard floor setting is recommended. Otherwise, a mop with soapy water will easily remove any paw marks.
Accidents do happen, especially ‘toilet accidents’ with little puppies. This is why easy-clean surfaces are important. Vinyl and tile flooring are also durable enough to handle a lot of running. The floors will remain scratch-free!
Darker tones in colour schemes are better at hiding imperfections and scratches. Fortunately, darker shades, like as dark navy and dark green, have recently become popular and on-trend.
So, what is considered a dog-friendly kitchen?
Anyone who has a pet will agree that our furry friends are an essential component of our families. When thinking about buying a new home or even a new kitchen, all members of the family must be considered. We must consider our pets’ requirements in the same manner that we would consider the needs of a toddler in terms of ensuring that everything is child-friendly. Keep in mind that your pets have the same requirements as the people who live in your home.
The first step should be to consider your daily routine with your pets. What can you do to make the kitchen a safer, more convenient, and comfortable area for everyone to use? It’s important to have a place for the dog’s stuff. It will help you keep your kitchen clean and neat. It will also prevent accidents, such as stumbling over the dog bowl while holding a hot pan.
Is there a difference in kitchen designs?
Slab, flat-faced kitchen doors and cabinets are more practical to clean than panelled or Shaker-style doors. However, if you already have the latter or if you want a new kitchen, you shouldn’t be concerned.
In a dog-friendly kitchen, flooring is far more important than cabinets. The dog will surely walk all over the floor, but not on the cabinets!
But, when it comes to low-hanging shelves or open-end units, think again. Not only will these attract dust and dog hair, but a dog is likely to knock things off with its tail – even pull things off with its mouth if something is fascinating enough!
The kitchen serves as a contained area
Since the kitchen is such an inviting space for a dog, it is often the room in which homeowners keep their dog while they are away at work. Other obvious advantages of the kitchen include tiles or wooden flooring rather than carpets.
To keep the dog inside, you could, of course, close the kitchen door. However, many modern open-plan designs do not allow for this. Pet gates, which function similarly to baby gates, can be an ideal alternative for maintaining a clean kitchen pet-friendly environment. In the past few years, kitchen pet-friendly designs have grown in style and sophistication. From hand-painted screens to striking designer finishes, these kitchen ideas can enhance your space. This is in contrast to the clunky functioning of previous pet gates. You may also have gates that slide out of the way for easy access.
Consider hygiene and durability while planning a dog-friendly kitchen
If you want to design a dog-friendly kitchen, hygiene and durability should be top priorities. Consider worktop materials that are scratch-resistant and easy to clean once little dirty paws have come into contact with them.
Overall, upstands around worktop corners make cleaning easier. We’ve already discussed the importance of choosing hard-wearing materials like sealed laminate or easy-to-mop and maintain tiles. If you decide on solid wood flooring, tougher woods are the best choice. Oak and mahogany, for example, are more durable and immune to water stains, making them ideal for a kitchen remodel.
If the kitchen is where the dog is left when you’re away, you might wish to look for underfloor heating on a tiled floor. This will make a great, cosy place for the dog to lie down during the cold winter months. In the summer, it will be a welcome break from the blazing sun, with cool, darker tones.
A dedicated space for your beloved pet
Naturally, dogs are highly sociable creatures. They enjoy our companionship and can become anxious if they are away from us for an extended period. However, much like humans, dogs sometimes need some ‘me time’, and many dogs enjoy having a room to hide away in, such as a little den, and spend some time alone every now and then. It gives them a unique spot to unwind and escape when they need some quiet time.
This sort of place does not necessarily have to be in the kitchen. However, the kitchen is the ideal spot for your dog’s bed where it can sleep. This could be under a seating area.
Indeed, in many ways, certain areas of the kitchen are ideal for this purpose. It gives your dog the security it needs. Furthermore, they have peace of mind because humans are unlikely to be far away. It will also keep the kitchen floor clean and clutter-free.
A spot to hang out and take naps
The kitchen can often be the warmest area in the house. Not only that, but it’s a treasure trove of enticing scents and odours. Lastly, the kitchen is a hub of activity. It’s not surprising that many dogs draw towards the kitchen. The kitchen has everything a typical dog could want: company, comfort and warmth, and the tempting possibility of good treats.
It’s not surprising that dogs like to hang out in the kitchen. However, this might be problematic, especially when cooking and preparing meals. Dogs have a knack for positioning their bodies exactly where you are stepping. You can shoo them away, knowing they’ll be back in the same position in 30 seconds. This is why creating a dog-friendly home with a private area for your dog in your kitchen is the best solution.
Look for smart storage options
Although the advantages of having a boot room area have previously been discussed extensively, it’s not the end of the world if this isn’t possible. It just means you need to be creative with your storage solutions. Having a dog means you have a lot more stuff to store. From pet food and water dishes to toys, leads, and towels to dry them, you’d be shocked at how quickly it all gathers.
You don’t want them all over the house. You also do not want them to clutter up a specific area of your home. If a designed utility room is not an option, a separate kitchen cabinet to store all of the dog’s necessities in an easily accessible location is usually the next best option.
Hidden storage, such as pullouts or baskets, can be used to store food. Drawer dividers can be used to organise all of your dog’s stuff. You might even consider purchasing a crate, whether cheap plastic or luxury, to keep all of your dog’s favourite toys and things.
Always make the kitchen bins dog-proof
Is there anything else you should consider about your furry buddy to make sure that you have a pet-friendly kitchen? There is… food! The craving for food might sometimes seem to control a dog’s existence. Anyone who has sat down on the sofa to eat a snack understands what we mean. You will most likely find yourself with longing eyes staring up at you. A lot of dogs cleverly position themselves in places where they believe a good piece of food will drop. Whether it’s beneath the dinner table while the family eats or beneath the counter as you chop. When there is food in the house, your four-legged pet is most likely nearby.
As a result, the kitchen bin will be always full of interesting odours and perhaps delicious temptations. This makes an integral bin a very wise choice. It appears to be a lot cleaner, which is beneficial for a dog-friendly kitchen. An built-in integrated bin will also be dog-proof! It cannot be penetrated, knocked over, or rummaged through.
Why feeding area is important?
We all enjoy the idea of lovely cuisine and the warmth and comfort of a family home. We are confident that dogs feel the same way. The fastest way to any dog’s heart is through food! However, it is still a good idea to create a safe area for your dog to eat away from the main traffic flow in the kitchen. Similarly, you don’t want the bowls to be tripped over or to spatter water everywhere. You don’t want to find stray dog hair in your meal either, which is why a cupboard for dog supplies is essential.
Cabinets can be customised to contain a pull-out pet drawer. These can be pulled away when not in use. However, they only function if your dog eats very cleanly. And these dogs are rare. It would not be a practical solution for a messy eater or dogs who prefer eating their food throughout the day. Also, if your dog tends to splash water, make sure to add a waterproof mat in the drawer.
Dedicated water stations are another option worth considering. You may position the water pot at the ideal height for the dog. This makes it incredibly easy to refill.
Always consider practicality and safety
Consider your everyday routine, such as entering and exiting the house to take the dog for a walk. A hook on the entrance to hang the dog leash on will make life much easier.
If you want to create a dog-friendly kitchen, safety should never be overlooked. If you enjoy growing plants and herbs in your kitchen, keep in mind that some are dangerous to pets. It goes without saying that cleaning supplies and the like should be kept safely in a cabinet.
How to arrange your kitchen to be suitable for dogs?
Fortunately, all it takes to make your current kitchen a little dog-friendly is a few minor adjustments and modifications.
Cabinet fronts and doors that are pet-proof are immune to scuffs and scratches from active paws and claws. However, this does not require you to install a brand-new kitchen. Upgrades can be simple, effective, and economical. Why not modify the fronts of your cabinets and drawers with replacement doors? Surfaces might be high-gloss laminate or easy-to-clean. This will make it easier to remove muddy paw prints and the such.
An inviting and comfortable kitchen for everyone
Although the kitchen is often referred to as the “heart of the home,” the true heartbeat is found among the family members. And, as any pet owner will tell you, their pets are just as important members of the family as Mom and Dad. This means that you should make your kitchen a warm and inviting area for all family members, both dog and human alike.
This does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice style. In short, the greatest pet-friendly kitchens are stylish, integrated, and functional rooms that allow dogs to truly become a members of the family. Most importantly, they are kitchens that do not add clutter or pose a risk to our furry friends’ paws or tails. The tips and suggestions provided in this article should assist you in creating the ideal dog-friendly kitchen. If you have any questions, please contact the My Beautiful Kitchen team. We are always available to share our knowledge and experience with our customers.