With pets being very much loved in the UK and around the world, the kitchen space needs to be a safe place for our animals. According to research, there is an estimated 20 million pets in the UK, that’s nearly one in every two homes.

In this blog, we look at how we can create a pet-friendly kitchen to meet our client’s and animal’s needs.

How can we design a pet-friendly kitchen?

With the help of our kitchen designers, we will work with you to design and build a kitchen that is suitable for your pets.

• Think about a handleless kitchen or inlaid handles so that those wandering paws can’t open the kitchen cabinets, (it is known to happen). Even putting child-proof latches on the cupboards will keep the most cleverest dogs out. We all know animals love to consume things they can’t always have like us, for example, chocolate which is very dangerous to dogs.
• Opt for a pull-out bin that is built in amongst the furniture, so no pooches have the opportunity to chew through the bin bags and find themselves a tasty treat.
• Always unplug appliances when they are not in use, and design in as much storage as you can to fit those appliances.
• Put breakable ornaments and houseplants that could be poisonous to pets up high on an open-shelf.

We built a dog bed into the classic shaker cabinetry in the Bishop’s Stortford project that’s perfect for their pooch Stanley. Stanley loves to lay in there when our client is busy in the kitchen. It provides him with comfort knowing that he can be near the family and still be incredibly comfortable.

The bed area is located underneath the bespoke furniture with purposely built drawers to store food, treats, grooming accessories, and waste bags. An easy-clean floor was opted to wipe away those muddy paws and wet spillages. Stanley seemed to love this space that was designed purposely just for him!

Build in a cosy corner

Our pets want to be part of the family and daily life as much as they can be, so building in an area for a pet bed is a wonderful idea for your kitchen design and layout. Your pet is able to snuggle while you carry on with the daily chores and can even share mealtimes with you if your seating area is in the kitchen. Another way of incorporating a pet bed is underneath part of the cabinetry or an over-hang of the worktop.

Pet-proof your kitchen

Choose durable worktops to build into the kitchen design. Choose a material that is scratch-resistant, like granite or quartz. Decide on cabinetry that is easy to wipe down and add non-slip mats to smooth floors, to avoid your pet from slipping.

Keep the kitchen clean

• Add a floor that is easy to clean such as laminate, tiles, or vinyl, this will allow you to mop up easily and wipe away those muddy paws prints.
• Clean as we go and wipe away those muddy paws, drool, and shedding fur.
• Choosing waterproof paint is a great idea as this will allow you to wipe away dirt and water easily.
• Make sure you sweep up every day, it is surprising how much fur your pet can shred.

The traditional shaker in Chelmsford was designed for their furry friend to have their very own space where they could be part of the family’s everyday life and daily routine. We utilize every inch of space with a U-shaped layout where we created one length with a peninsula made of granite. This was made into a comfy spot for him to sleep and cupboards were purposely built nearby to store food, treats, waste bags, and grooming accessories for easy access and keeping everything together in one place.

This comfy place for this beautiful dog is a great example of the perfect retreat, where the kitchen can still look stylish as well as a homely place to relax in.

If you would like to know more about our handmade kitchens and how we can make them pet-friendly contact us today – we look forward to hearing from you.