More and more people are keeping pets, which have now become part of the family. To ensure that both you and your dog are happy in your new kitchen, there are a few things worth bearing in mind. We’ve put together a list of what you, as a pet owner, should pay attention to when planning your kitchen.
Give your dog its own place to rest
Every pet needs its own little nook where it can retreat to. As most dogs love to be close to their owner at all times, it’s a good idea to provide them with several places to lie down. In every room where we spend a lot of time, there should be a small resting spot where they can retreat to. It’s important to choose a spot in the kitchen where they won’t be underfoot and where they can’t get into any accidents. Such hazards might include splattering oil or a dropped saucepan. Your dog should have a fixed feeding spot so that they always know where to find their water bowl. It’s also very important to keep their food and treats in a securely locked place where they can’t get to them, because as soon as you leave them on their own, you can be sure they’ll help themselves.
Choose materials that are easy to clean
We don’t usually recommend delicate materials for homes with young children, and this is even more true for homes with dogs. The floor should be easy to keep clean; laminate or tiles, for example, are excellent choices. They don’t require any special care and are easy to maintain. Incidentally, simply sweeping won’t be enough with a dog around; a vacuum cleaner is the best option for pet hair, and it’s worth following this up with a thorough mop.
Dark shades are the most practical
Stains and minor scratches are less noticeable on darker shades, but be careful – the choice of fabric does matter! Within your budget, choose the best-quality items you can, as these are much more resistant to creasing, less prone to damage, and frequent cleaning won’t lead to a decline in quality. If you have a small kitchen, be careful with dark colours! These can make the space feel cramped and make it look even smaller. A good solution in this case is two-tone kitchen furniture, with dark colours at the bottom and light colours at the top. Be sure to seek the advice of your kitchen designer; it’s important to mention before the design process begins that you live with a pet, so that this can be taken into account.
Pay attention to storage
After a while, your dog will end up with loads of bits and bobs. It’s a good idea to keep these all in one place, perhaps in a designated spot in the kitchen. This is where you can keep the dog food, toys, leads and towels. Be sure to choose a place that locks securely, is out of your dog’s reach, and is kept away from food and cleaning products that are toxic to dogs.
When designing kitchen furniture, it is therefore important, after careful consideration, to choose the highest-quality furniture possible, which our pets are less likely to damage. Colour choice and ease of cleaning are also important factors. Banning them from the kitchen isn’t the answer; instead, let’s design it so that everyone is happy. Mobilan’s experienced team are on hand to help with kitchen design and fitting – please feel free to get in touch using our contact details!
