Pet features get more attention in home designs

Home owners love their pets and they also love great design with modern function.

So its no surprise that home builders and designers increasingly are being asked to consider pets when developing floor plans and custom amenities.

Builders are responding to this demand by offering homes with pet-friendly design in the kitchen, laundry room/mud room and even outdoor spaces. Condos and apartment buildings now feature amenities like rooftop dog parks and self-serve grooming stations.

Whether youre in the market for a new home, will soon be remodeling or just need some inspiration for how to use your current space, here are a few ideas to get started.

Kitchen: If you have a small- or medium-sized pet, consider finding a spot in your kitchen to create a built-in eating area. It can be as simple as using free floor space under an island to create a stylish spot for the food and water bowls.

Or, declutter a large lower eeeeeee cabinet, remove the door and create a convenient feeding spot. You also can add a comfortable cushion instead of a pet bed.

If a bottom drawer is all you can spare, put a built-in food bowl that easily slides in and out.

The water bowl should be accessible to your pet all the time though.

If your pet is a messy eater, keep the feeding station away from most of the foot traffic. Water spills can be especially hazardous in the kitchen. Thats why feeding bowls for larger pets may be better suited for the laundry room or mud room.

Laundry room/mud room: If you have a separate laundry room and/or mud room, there are many ways to utilize this space for your pets. A feeding station for your larger pet can be conveniently located beneath a boot bench. This also makes a great spot for a pet bed.

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Pet features get more attention in home designs