Beds inserted in furniture, shelving with compartments for shelters or cabinets with built-in feeders could improve the harmony of the home and comfort of pets.
When thinking about the space in which we live and share with others, we cannot ignore animals, who are part of the family and the home. That is why, when creating and decorating spaces for our needs and comfort, it is essential to consider the welfare of pets.
Many of the products or predetermined designs of retail or even various retail stores can be impractical, often with colors or furniture not so new, being spaces that visually invade, making it difficult to maintain the aesthetics of the home.
In addition, many of these products for sale are not optimized for specific spaces. By not having a personalized design, they usually hinder the passage or harmony, forcing pet owners to make adjustments in the house that they had not planned.
The Pets in the Home 2024 study mentions that 76% of Chileans have pets, 77% consider them as a member of the family, and 76% of these live inside the home. Therefore, it is essential to design areas just for them, without obstructing the visual frame of the house. Beds, shelters or scratching posts that not only integrate with the interior design, but are also functional and practical.
Likewise, the Executive Director of designer Atika, Muriel Khamis, commented that "optimized design is about making the place where our pets, who are members of the family, live compatible with you. At the end of the day, these considerations end up being quality of life for everyone".
For her part, Andrea Chateau, Masisa's specification manager, comments that, "with a focus on intelligent design, it is possible to create an environment where everyone can enjoy a safe and prosperous space. Pet-friendly design does not have to be an invasive element; on the contrary, it can be an opportunity to demonstrate that aesthetics and functionality can coexist harmoniously."
For example, shelves and bookcases can be designed with open compartments to transform into cozy shelters for cats, while washable rugs in neutral tones not only add warmth to the home, but serve as slip-resistant surfaces for older pets.
Incorporating built-in feeding stations can likewise be a functional solution, keeping the eating area tidy and allowing owners to customize the space to the pet's specific needs, such as adjusting the height. In addition, unifying the pet space with wainscoting that follows the path of the wall and encompasses their area can create a harmonious and functional design that seamlessly integrates the spaces in the home.
