Our homes are our pets’ too, so why not embrace durable designs that hold up to muddy paws and the zoomies? Whether you’re looking for clever storage, bathing solutions or backyard dog structures, the stars of HGTV have ideas for it all. Here’s how they pull off stylish pet-friendly spaces.
Mina Starsiak: Dedicated Doggie Spa
Host of Good Bones and known canine-lover, Mina Starsiak created a full-blown doggie spa in her family’s forever home. Located in the attached garage, the space features a tub with a marble surround, recessed lighting and personalized accessories. Even the most resistant pooches get excited for bath time here.
Jasmine Roth: Secret Treats
Help! I Wrecked My House host Jasmine Roth cleverly used the extra space under her client’s staircase not for Harry Potter, but to create a little puppy getaway. An elevated platform serves as a cozy bed, while striped pillows, a faux fur throw and animal-themed wallpaper make the cubby just as chic as the rest of the house. Not wanting to waste an inch of space, Jasmine installed a drawer under the platform for secret bowls of treats.
Jasmine Roth: Nifty Nook
When Jasmine’s client requested a dog cave, she knew the perfect place for it. She carved out a nook under the stairs where an old air-conditioning vent used to be and decorated the inside with plush furnishings perfect for nap time. The pentagon-shaped door makes the nook pop against a funky, color-blocked mural.
Ben and Erin Napier: Retro and Repurposed
In typical Home Town fashion, Ben and Erin rescued an old tub from the inside of their client’s house and turned it into an outdoor dog bath. Ben installed reclaimed wood around it and painted it the same color as the porch, then attached hooks to hang brushes and a hose.
Drew and Jonathan Scott: Kitty Jungle Gym
With the help of Drew and Jonathan Scott, actress Lisa Kudrow turned her cousin’s dated condo into an animal-lover’s paradise during Season 2 of Celebrity IOU. With accident-proof luxury vinyl planks and maple floating shelves that double as a cat tower, the eclectic space is like heaven for cats.
Drew and Jonathan: Puppy Proof Patio
On the same condo’s attached patio, Drew and Jonathan installed a piece of turf with a pee pad underneath that also acts as a dog run and a potty break station. The pad has self-rinsing capabilities to keep the area clean for pups.
Drew and Jonathan: Hidden Storage
For this Celebrity IOU makeover, the brothers teamed up with actress Emma Roberts to transform a plain kitchen into a colorful escape for a close friend. They outfitted the space with custom pet storage, including a cabinet drawer with hooks to hold collars and leashes on one side and containers for dog treats on the other.
Jenny and Dave Marrs: Built-In Brilliance
A custom inset feeding station built under the kitchen counter with its own pot filler makes meal time for pets easy-peasy. Jenny and Dave Marrs outfitted their clients’ Fixer to Fabulous pet station with the same material as the kitchen countertops for seamless design flow.
Jenny and Dave: Double Duty Bench
Jenny and Dave installed a cubby the exact size of their client’s chihuahua in a window bench built by Dave. Jenny snuck the petite pup into the construction site to measure her height and width before Dave cut a hole in the window seat then trimmed it out. A bed and the dog fit perfectly inside.
Jenny and Dave: Fun for the Whole Family
During their Season 3 Rock the Block pet challenge, the Marrs turned an old boat into a creative play space that’s both kid and dog-friendly. They put a sandbox in the back half of the boat and a dog bed, plus bowls and toys in the front half. A tarp makes it a shady spot for pups to lounge.
Brian Patrick Flynn: Fido-Friendly Mudroom
In the mudroom for the HGTV Dream Home 2023 located in Morisson, Colorado, designer Brian Patrick Flynn built a pet station for those post-muddy hike paws. The doggie shower checks all the boxes: a removable shower to wash Fido off and a bench for owners to sit on during bath time. Brian even tucked dog bowls (with a convenient faucet for easy filling!) under the counter.
Brian Patrick Flynn: Creative Crate
Brian crafted a custom crate for a client’s laundry room under the workspace counter, complete with beadboard paneling inside. It’s spacious enough to comfortably house a Bernese Mountain Dog, but aesthetic enough to blend into the home’s design. The birch countertop above the crate can be used to fold laundry and store pet essentials.
Tiffany Brooks: A Sink Fit for Fido
For the Smart Home 2019’s sleek laundry room, designer Tiffany Brooks made sure to incorporate a sink big enough to put your pet in for bath time. It’s extra-deep shape and removable faucet handle makes shampooing and rinsing a breeze — without any back pain. The stainless steel material is super durable, too.
Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson: Dog House Chic
Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson, hosts of Married to Real Estate, went architectural for their Season 3 Rock the Block pet challenge. The winning couple decided to build a mini version of the main house complete with perfectly pruned landscaping and inset bowls. Painted trim work and a mini yard made of turf make the dog house feel like its own oasis.
Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis: Stylish Shower
For their pet challenge on Season 3 of Rock the Block, DIY gurus and Unsellable Houses hosts Leslie and Lyndsay, created a dog shower that looks like a contemporary trellis. The rock base prevents water from puddling up, while a secure stand keeps the hose tucked away.
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