Create pet-friendly space in your home

We love our pets and want to return their unconditional love with pet-friendly spaces in the home. If you’re looking for a new home in the Columbia, South Carolina, region, talk to us at McGuinn Homes. We have experience in accommodating special features—including pet-friendly ones—in our floor plans. We’ll build on your lot or you can browse our new home communities We currently offer a selection of move-in ready homes ready right now. Anyone who has ever shared their life and their home with a pet knows that this companion is really a family member—and deserves to be treated like one. While you probably resist setting a place at the dinner table or opening up the pantry for free exploration by a hungry critter, you can create pet-friendly space in your home (assuming they don’t need to be caged). Pet Cubbies Dogs and cats like their privacy when it’s time for one of the many naps that fill their days and nights. The family dog might like your company at night, but often looks for other places for daytime breaks. A dog bed placed out of the way of foot traffic is a good solution.If you want something that fits into your décor, encase the pet bed in a wooden frame or box, maybe adding your pet’s name or a design that complements your décor. Cubbies are great for smaller dogs and cats. Repurpose a drawer or crate by adding a bed, fluffy blanket, or pillow. Convert the bottom shelf of an end table or nightstand to welcome a little snooze from your furry friend. Cat Shelves Cats generally fall into one of two categories: bush dweller or percher. The bush dweller likes to hide under things, while the percher prefers to observe from above. If your feline likes the aerial view, consider installing cat shelves that are deep and sturdy enough to support a leaping, sprawling cat. Windows are a preferred spot, so expanding the sill with a shelf will allow your cat to bask in the sun, give the death stare to birds and squirrels in their view, and possibly stay off your good furniture. Pet Feeding Station When house-hunting, a true pet lover instantly identifies where the feeding dishes will be placed. It needs to be easily accessible but out of the way of passersby. Pamper your pet with a feeding station that incorporates the dishes with storage. For large dogs, elevate the dishes so they don’t have to bend as low for their food and water. Cut holes in the top of a nightstand or small chest to hold the dishes and use the bottom drawer to store the food. For smaller animals, pull out the bottom drawer for the dishes and stash the food in the upper drawer. If you’re building a new home, talk to your builder about incorporating the pet feeding station into the floor plan. Dog Grooming Tub or Shower Homeowners with dogs are more frequently incorporating a designated grooming area in their new homes. The laundry room is an ideal space for installing a tub or shower with a pull-down faucet. Add tile to the enclosure so the area is more attractive. A nearby or overhead shelf, cabinet or cubby allows for storing the pet shampoo, towels, and other products you’ll need. Litterbox Every cat lover struggles with finding the ideal location for the litterbox. You don’t want it in an obvious location and the good news is you’re your cat wants a private spot, too. You can tuck a litterbox under the utility sink in the laundry room or a vanity in the bathroom. You can buy a litterbox enclosure that looks like a piece of furniture, or build one yourself. As long as it’s easy to get to and filled with clean litter, your cat has no preference about the décor or design. Pet Door If you have a cat or dog that is allowed outdoors unsupervised, a pet door frees you up from monitoring the entry (and potentially cleaning up an “accident”). A doggie door requires cutting a hold in your existing door, and it’s hinged so the pup or cat can enter or exit from either side. Some doors are designed to blend in with your door, for a subtler look. Pet Gate Inside your home, keep the family pet out of the forbidden zones with a gate. There are many decorative designs—from plastic and wood to metal, fabric, and wrought iron—so you can incorporate this boundary without interrupting the flow of your interior design. Fence The safest way to protect your pet and your family outdoors is to fence in your yard. Be sure that the fence you choose is tall enough to keep your pets on your side. Picket fences, while attractive, can be dangerous to small children as well as allowing unwanted animals into your yard. Your dog or cat is curious, so any opening in a fence is an invitation to peek or poke through!