Pets are family. But most homes are not built with them in mind. Slippery floors, tight spaces, and hard to clean surfaces make daily life harder for both you and your animals.
A pet friendly remodel fixes that. It adds features that make your home safer, cleaner, and more comfortable for your pets without sacrificing style. At BGC, we help homeowners in the Dayton area build smarter spaces that work for every member of the family, including the four-legged ones.
Whether you’re planning a full renovation or a few targeted upgrades, this guide covers everything you need to know. From flooring to feeding stations, mudrooms to cat walls, here is how to design a home your pets will love and you’ll actually enjoy living in.
What Is a Pet Friendly Remodel?
A pet friendly remodel is any home renovation designed with your pets in mind. It focuses on durable materials, smart built-ins, easy cleanup, and safety features that reduce stress for both pets and owners.
This isn’t just about adding a dog bowl to the kitchen. It covers flooring choices, storage solutions, grooming areas, built-in pet furniture, and safety barriers. The goal is a home that looks great and holds up to real life with animals in it.
Best Flooring Options for Pet Owners
Flooring takes the most punishment in a pet friendly home. Scratches, accidents, and muddy paws happen every day. Choosing the right material from the start saves you money and frustration down the road.
Scratch-Resistant Materials
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is one of the best options for pet owners. It resists scratches, holds up to moisture, and feels comfortable underfoot. It also comes in dozens of styles that look like real wood or stone.
Tile is another strong choice. It doesn’t scratch, it’s completely waterproof, and it’s easy to mop clean. The downside is that it can feel cold and hard, which some pets dislike.
If you prefer hardwood, look for harder species like hickory or white oak with a matte finish. Soft woods like pine scratch easily and show wear quickly in homes with active dogs.
Waterproof Flooring Choices
Accidents happen, especially with puppies, senior dogs, or cats. Waterproof flooring stops liquid from soaking into the subfloor, which prevents odor and mold over time.
LVP and tile are both fully waterproof. Some laminate products are water resistant but not waterproof, so read the specs carefully before buying.
If you are planning a room renovation and have pets, flooring is the first decision to make before anything else goes in.
Built-In Pet Features for Modern Homes
Built-in features keep your home looking clean while giving your pets dedicated spaces. These upgrades add real function and are far more attractive than plastic crates and freestanding bowls scattered across the floor.
Feeding Stations
A built-in feeding station keeps food and water bowls off the floor and out of the way. Cabinet makers can build a pull-out drawer at floor level with a non-slip mat and space for two bowls. This setup keeps the kitchen looking organized and makes it easy to clean under and around the feeding area.
Some homeowners add a built-in drinking fountain with a small basin and faucet. This eliminates the mess of carrying full water bowls across the room. If you are doing a kitchen remodeling project, this is a great time to add one.
Pet Nooks and Kennels
The space under a staircase is one of the most underused areas in a home. It’s the perfect size for a built-in dog kennel or cat nook. Add a door, a cushion, and some ventilation and you’ve got a dedicated pet space that blends into the architecture of the home.
For dogs that need their own room, a spare bedroom can be converted into a full dog room with built-in crates, storage for gear, and easy-clean flooring. This works especially well in homes with multiple large dogs.
Mudrooms and Pet Cleaning Stations
Coming home from a walk in the rain is one of the messiest moments in any pet owner’s life. A well-designed mudroom solves this completely.
Dog Wash Station Design
A dog wash station is a low basin with a handheld sprayer, non-slip flooring, and enough room for your dog to stand comfortably. It can be built into a mudroom, laundry room, or basement. The best setups include warm water access, a hook for the leash, and nearby storage for towels and grooming supplies.
This upgrade pays for itself quickly. Instead of bathing your dog in the bathtub or using a garden hose outside, you have a dedicated space designed for the job. A bathroom remodeling contractor can also integrate a pet washing station into a larger bathroom if you do not have a mudroom.
Utility Room Upgrades
If you already have a laundry room or utility room, adding a utility sink and a grooming counter is a straightforward upgrade. Include a few hooks on the wall, a cabinet for shampoo and towels, and a non-slip mat. This turns an underused space into a fully functional pet care area.
Pet Storage and Organization Ideas
Leashes, toys, food bags, treats, grooming tools. Pet supplies pile up fast. Without a system, they end up on counters, floors, and in every corner of the house.
Hidden Food Storage
A dedicated pet food cabinet near the feeding station keeps bags sealed and off the floor. Pull-out bins work well for dry kibble. A shallow cabinet with adjustable shelves handles canned food, treats, and supplements.
If you are updating your kitchen cabinets, ask about adding a pull-out pet pantry. It looks like a regular cabinet from the outside and keeps everything in one place.
Toy and Leash Organization
A simple built-in cubby near the door with hooks for leashes and a basket for toys keeps the entryway clean. This is a small addition to any mudroom or entryway project but makes a noticeable difference in daily life.
A porch or entryway remodel is a good opportunity to build in this kind of practical pet storage without a full renovation.
Safety Features in a Pet Friendly Home
Keeping pets safe inside the home takes some planning. A few well-placed features give pets freedom while keeping them out of dangerous areas.
Built-In Gates
Freestanding baby gates are easy to trip over and easy for dogs to knock down. A built-in pocket gate slides into the wall when not in use and pulls out to block a doorway or hallway when needed. It blends into the trim and looks intentional, not temporary.
For open floor plans, a low built-in fence around part of the living room can create a defined pet zone without blocking the sight lines of the space.
Non-Toxic Materials
Pets spend a lot of time on the floor. They lick surfaces, chew on baseboards, and breathe in everything at ground level. Use low-VOC or zero-VOC paints throughout the home. Choose adhesives and finishes that are labeled safe for indoor air quality.
Ask your contractor to confirm that all materials used in a pet-occupied space meet safe indoor air standards. This is especially important during a home addition or new build when fresh materials are curing throughout the house.
Cat-Friendly vs Dog-Friendly Design Differences
Dogs and cats need very different things from a home. Dogs need floor-level space, outdoor access, and grooming areas. Cats need vertical space, hiding spots, and indoor enrichment.
For cat owners, consider adding wall-mounted shelving at varying heights to create a cat walkway. This keeps cats off counters and furniture by giving them their own climbing route. A catio, which is an enclosed outdoor structure, gives indoor cats safe access to fresh air without the risk of them roaming.
For dog owners, the priorities are durable flooring, secure outdoor space, and a cleaning station for muddy paws. A dog level window, positioned low on the wall, gives dogs a view outside and reduces anxiety from noise and movement they can’t see.
You can build features for both if you have cats and dogs. The key is planning each species separately and then combining them into a layout that works for the whole household.
Cost of a Pet Friendly Remodel
The cost depends entirely on what you’re adding and the size of your home. Here is a rough breakdown of common pet friendly upgrades:
A dog wash station in a mudroom typically costs between $1,500 and $4,000 depending on plumbing access and finishes. Built-in feeding stations range from $500 to $2,000. Under-stair dog kennels run $1,000 to $3,500 depending on size and finish quality. New pet-friendly flooring for a whole home can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more based on square footage and material choice.
Smaller upgrades like storage cubbies, hooks, and hidden litter box cabinets can be added for a few hundred dollars each. A full room renovation designed specifically for pets can run anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on what’s included.
For homeowners in Beavercreek, Centerville, or the surrounding Dayton area, BGC covers all of these locations and can provide a detailed estimate based on your specific home.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the wrong flooring first. Many homeowners pick flooring based on looks and regret it within a year. Always prioritize durability and waterproofing in a home with pets.
Skipping the mudroom. If you have a dog, a mudroom or at minimum a grooming station near an entry point is not optional. Without one, mud and water come in through the main entry every single day.
Forgetting ventilation. Pet odors build up in homes that lack proper air circulation. Make sure any renovation includes updated ventilation, especially in pet-heavy rooms like mudrooms and laundry rooms.
Using carpets in high-traffic pet areas. Carpet traps hair, absorbs accidents, and holds odors long after cleaning. Hard surface flooring is always the better choice in areas your pets use most.
Buying freestanding furniture instead of built-ins. Freestanding pet furniture looks out of place and gets moved around. Built-in solutions last longer, look better, and add resale value to your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pet friendly remodel?
It’s a home renovation that adds durable materials, cleaning stations, built-in pet spaces, and safety features designed around the needs of pets and their owners.
What flooring is best for pets?
Luxury vinyl plank and tile are the top choices. Both resist scratches and are fully waterproof. LVP is warmer underfoot and easier on pet joints.
How do I add a dog wash station to my home?
A dog wash station can be built into a mudroom, laundry room, or bathroom. It requires plumbing access, a low basin with a sprayer, non-slip flooring, and nearby storage. A contractor can assess your space and recommend the best location.
What built-in features are most popular for pet owners?
Dog wash stations, built-in feeding stations, under-stair kennels, and pet storage cubbies near the entryway are the most requested upgrades. Hidden litter box cabinets are also very popular for cat owners.
Can I add pet features during a larger remodel?
Yes. The best time to add pet features is during a larger renovation when walls, plumbing, and cabinetry are already being touched. Adding them as part of a bigger project reduces cost and keeps the design cohesive.
Final Thoughts
A pet friendly remodel is one of the most practical investments you can make as a pet owner. The right flooring, a proper cleaning station, and smart built-ins make daily life easier and keep your home in better condition for years.
You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with the upgrades that matter most for your specific pets and lifestyle, then add more over time.
If you are ready to plan a pet friendly renovation in the Dayton area, the team at BGC can help. We serve homeowners across Kettering, Springboro, and the greater Dayton region. Contact us at 937-800-4409 or email info@bgcnow.us. Our office at 8450 E. Westbrook Road, Brookville, Ohio 45309 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5PM, and Saturday, 12PM to 3PM.
For more inspiration on pet friendly home design, the American Kennel Club’s home design resource offers useful ideas for dog owners planning a remodel.
