In the Dog House: Remodeling With Pets in Mind

We spend a lot of time thinking about how a remodeling project will work for the people who live in a house. But in plenty of homes, the people aren't the only ones with opinions.

Pets have an impressive ability to turn ordinary design decisions into very practical questions. Where will the food bowls go? Can an older dog handle that flooring? Is there a good place for a pet gate that doesn't make the house look like a kennel? And is there somewhere a dog can watch the entire neighborhood while contributing absolutely nothing to household security?

Design for the Household You Actually Have

Good remodeling isn't about following a checklist of fashionable features. It's about paying attention to how a family actually lives—including the four-legged members of it. Durable flooring, easy-to-clean surfaces, sensible traffic patterns and a little thought about food, water and sleeping areas can make a home work better without making it look like it was designed around the dog.

The same thinking becomes even more important as pets get older. A slick floor, a high step or a difficult route outside may not matter much to a young dog, but those details can become surprisingly important later.

Sometimes Small Changes Matter Most

Not every useful improvement requires a major remodel. A better location for a feeding station, a washable entry area, improved access to the yard or simply choosing the right flooring can make daily life easier for everyone.

That's really the point. A house should work for the people—and animals—who live there. Because despite what the dog may believe, technically the mortgage is still in your name.