Parents, Kids, and Pets, Oh My!

When re-designing a kitchen space for a family, everyone who lives in the house and their needs must be considered. When I meet clients for the first time, I find out how many adults and kids there are, and also if they have pets. Some tell me “no pets yet“, but they are thinking about getting a dog. (Some tell me 3 cats, 2 dogs, a parakeet, a lizard, and 2 snakes!) I have a good reason for wanting to know about the pets because of their specific requirements. Can the floor material hold up to sandy dog feet? Where will you bathe the dog? Their food and feeding is also a household issue that must be addressed. If it’s a big dog, or several dogs, often the food is stored in huge bags in the pantry, a closet, or the laundry room. I often find boxes and bags of it in the old knee hole of the original kitchen desk (where no one has sat, apparently, since 1976).

Since we are starting from scratch, we can prepare a specific spot to feed the pets, store their food and hair care products, and even be sure to plan a great washing area for them. I try to also think about other items like the leashes. Can they go somewhere near the door without being in full view? Let’s make this easier, ok?

The floor material is critical. The enemy of a new wood floor is not water, food, or even the dog’s nails. It’s the grit that comes in from outside. That grit, carried onto the floor, begins to get spread around on your feet, the bottoms of chair legs, etc. It acts like sandpaper on your new floor. This doesn’t mean you can’t have wood floors, but if you do you will have to stop the grit from getting in. (or else vacuum and mop every day.) Most of us have a rug of some sort in the foyer and garage entry. If you come in the house with the dog through the garage, a space can be set up out there for wiping the dog’s feet before entering the house. Ideally, there is also a laundry tub nearby to make this easier and more efficient. A mud room would be the ideal place, if you have one. (see My Mud)

A feeding station needs to have a mat of some sort to catch the drips, (which in the case of Great Danes is considerable.) This mat should be water resistant, but can also be pretty. You will want the colors to coordinate with your new cabinets, countertops, and other accent accessories. Bargain rugs are available from lots of outlet type stores. Home Goods, T J Max, and Bed Bath, & Beyond come to mind. (look in the “Beyond” department!) Since these colorful rugs are usually inexpensive, they can be replaced as they get ratty without too much guilt. We also have to be certain to locate this station where it will not impede the daily traffic of your busy kitchen
.

The storage of large amounts of pet food can be an issue as well. I have used a rollout trash container with it’s large plastic bin in place of the silly old desk area, and the kibble can go directly in there with a large scoop. If it’s only small amounts, perhaps a rollout shelf near the feeding area will work better. You can also keep medications, brushes, toys and treats there where everyone in the house can find them. 

The ideal conditions for washing large dogs is a special shower with a hand held spray to control the water. A tiled corner of a laundry room, basement, or mud room with a shower pan works perfectly, and can even be designed with wall recesses at a lower height so you can easily reach the shampoo and other items quickly. A water proof stool nearby will be handy as you can sit while doing this duty. This shower can also come in handy for watering large plants, or rinsing sporting equipment. Imagine taking down those gross window screens occasionally and being able to spray a cleaner on them, rinse and drip dry them all without breaking a sweat. 

Pets are family members. They don’t speak English so can’t tell us, but they have needs. When you redesign your kitchen with us, we want to be sure to create the ideal situation for them, and for you.
-Julie Hendrickson