How to Design a Pet-Friendly Kitchen That’s Both Fashionable and Functional

Remember when I mentioned eyesores? Well, there’s an easy fix for hiding unsightly and bulky pet food bags. Install a pull-out in some existing storage space.

If you have kitchen benches or chairs that your pets love to lounge on (*raises hand*), then consider reupholstering or purchasing pet-friendly cushions.

“I would definitely consider a vinyl material or something that is considered what we call ‘performance material,’” Al-fuwaries says. “It allows you to wipe it down, and even bleach it.”

If you have pets that shed like there’s no tomorrow (*raises hand again*), “Vinyl's great because it can be wiped off, which prevents fur from getting sucked into the fabric. A laminate could work, too.”

Got a hypoallergenic pet who doesn’t shed as much? Well, first, I’m jealous. Second, fabric-based seating is totally fine, but make sure you can remove the seat cover so you can just throw it in the wash for easy cleaning.

Scratched and damaged floors are difficult to repair or replace. So, when designing a pet-friendly kitchen, opt for flooring that can sustain heavy wear and tear.

“I actually just had to make a decision for my own personal home because I do have a dog with nails that likes to run around,” Al-fuwaries says.

“So, we have tile in spaces where there might be water-use, [including the kitchen]. The rest of the house, we opted for a luxury vinyl plank. Essentially, it's a wood-look but it’s good for heavy traffic. It [prevents against] scratching and is easy to clean, so it's very appropriate for households with pets.”

Other good options include cork or bamboo.

• Cork flooring looks like hardwood, is antimicrobial, and absorbs sound. It’s also great for pets and breeds who tend to have sensitive joints.
• Bamboo resembles natural wood, but is said to be more durable, stain-resistant, and scratch resistant.

Now, if you’re looking to spruce up your kitchen with a rug, choosing the right one is key.

“I would consider something that's machine washable, so that I could just drop it in the washing machine every so often,” says Al-fuwaries. “And then, I would look into very dense rug pads that keep the rugs in place.”

For a general rule of thumb, steer clear of materials such as velvet or chintz. Those are said to be pet hair magnets.

You may have never thought about pet-proofing your kitchen countertops, but there are a couple reasons you should.

For one, some pets often jump onto countertops, leaving scratches or “accidents” behind.

This type of behavior naturally introduces new germs. Porous countertops can be breeding grounds for bacteria. So, when building or remodeling your kitchen, choose counter material that isn’t porous and is also easy to clean. Options such as marble, granite and limestone? They’re out. Quartz, on the other hand, is in.

“[Some countertops will] absorb anything that is contaminated on the surface,” Al-fuwaries says. “Because of this, I would say quartz is a great idea. It's a man-made composite material that allows you to clean the surface with pretty strong [but pet friendly!] chemical solutions. It doesn't absorb or stain, either.”

Bonus: Quartz is also very hard to scratch.

Another option is lava stone. It tends to run on the pricier side, but due to its nonporous and scratch-resistant nature, it can be an excellent choice.

Not sure how to ensure the counters you’re choosing are pet-friendly enough? “Take a couple of samples home and test them out,” Al-fuwaries says.

Pro tip: “One of the biggest tests we do to make sure [counters] are stain resistant and easy to clean is the soy sauce test,” Al-fuwaries says. “We pour soy sauce on the surface and see how it reacts. We’ll even let it sit there for a few days. Experiment at home with something like soy sauce and see how it works out [before purchasing].”

Need help finding pet-friendly cleaners? We like:

“Being able to design in advance and build a feeding station into the kitchen allows you to intentionally create spaces for things like food and water,” Al-fuwaries says.

“[This keeps] bowls in a convenient location. [You can also build in] direct access to filtered water, so that the bowl doesn't have to be moved in and out a ton.”

Planning to take this route in the future? Be sure to keep water and food bowls removable so you can clean them regularly.

Sometimes, you just can’t have pets in the kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you have to lock them out entirely.

Let’s face it; doggy doors can be eyesores. But they don’t have to be.

But “this one's probably one of our favorites,” Al-fuwaries says, referring to the chic and seamlessly integrated pet door seen below (left).