Barkitechture! Introducing Pet-First Interior Design
Choose design that puts your pet first and that also brings luxury, relaxation, and playfulness into your space.
Pet-Centric Interior Design
With pets increasingly getting their own rooms in their owners' homes, it's about time you considered pawing your way into the "Barkitecture" trend. Pet-centric architecture is all about making your pet feel like part of the family. Whether you want to give your furry friend a fitness-forward play area or a spa-like relaxation station, let LL Flooring give you some inspiration to get you started.
What Is Pet-First Design?
You might see pet-led designs making their way into your social media feeds, sometimes showing whole rooms decked out in cozy pet beds and fanciful décor. This trend is relatively new, with its popularity boosted by image-led social platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Animal-first design is the ultimate in pet couture, often incorporating lavish bedding areas, intricate play towers, and exciting furniture that encourages pets to get moving. It isn't always limited to just one room—some homeowners spread the design throughout their home, giving their pets free range to lounge, play, and socialize where they please.
The "catio" might be the most famous example of pet-first design. These are the patio enclosures popularized by cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. Complete with places to climb, scratch, and perch, these converted patios or build-it-yourself attachments allow your cat to enjoy the outdoors safely. If you're considering installing one, you'll need to make sure you choose a pet-friendly flooring option that's also able to withstand the elements. A waterproof porcelain tile could be purr-fect.
Get Creative
Full animal-first design is built around your pet's wants and needs, but it should also fit in with your own décor and lifestyle. There are many ways to get creative with spaces and objects that make them both functional for your pet and appealing to you. Find pet beds that match your color scheme, or repurpose an old chair using coordinating throws and your pet’s favorite snuggle toy. You can also create a relaxation nook in a cozy out-of-the-way place for pets who like a bit of privacy when they’re lounging. Turn a wall into a climbing and perching area for your cat, using artistic shelving that’s both fun for your cats to climb on and appealing for you to look at. To help keep things neat and orderly, convert a lower cabinet in your kitchen into a pet feeding nook, integrating the bowls. Use decorative bins that blend into your décor for storing pet supplies and toys.
What's the Best Flooring for a Pet-Led Design?
It’s important to choose flooring that can hold up to wear and tear from active paws and that’s also waterproof (or at least water resistant) for easy cleanup. At LL Flooring, we have a wide assortment of pet-friendly flooring to choose from. Waterproof and wear-resistant options such as porcelain tile or Coreluxe rigid vinyl plank are great for entryways or mudrooms—places prone to muddy paws and dripping fur. You can find other waterproof options in laminate and hybrid resilient flooring. Hydrocork is a an environmentally sustainable waterproof option that also provides sound and thermal insulation.
For a touch of luxury, you might want to consider installing radiant heat underlayment pads under suitable flooring such as tile. That way your pet will have a warm surface to lounge on and you'll also enjoy the added comfort underfoot.
Happy Pets, Happy Homes
Pet-led design can be one of the most fun interior trends to play with because it's all about what benefits you and your furry friend. With the right additions, your pet can live their best life in their favorite spaces—and when they're happy, you're happy. Browse LL Flooring's selection of pet-friendly options that can provide a practical yet stylish foundation for your pet-led design.