The most successful kitchen remodels result from thoughtful consideration of the needs and wishes of everyone who will be cooking, working, eating, and relaxing in what is often referred to as the heart of the home. Families with several chefs make sure there is plenty of space for two or more people to cook side-by-side comfortably. Active households appreciate a well-organized adjacent mudroom with plenty of space for storing coats, backpacks, and sports gear. In homes that include one or more four legged family members, savvy kitchen designers are coming up with some clever accommodations for man’s best friend. Here are a few of our favorite ideas from kitchens that have gone to the dogs.

Lucky’s got a room of his own

A kitchen remodel gave this busy family a much needed mudroom. Situated between the kitchen and the new back entrance, the mudroom also has become Lucky the golden doodle’s hangout. Designed to accommodate a 2-ft. by 2-ft. by 4-ft. dog crate, Lucky’s “bedroom” is tucked away under a set of drawers that hold his food, leashes, and other doggie necessities. A local metal artist designed the custom gate, which can separate the mudroom from the rest of the kitchen. The punched-metal design was inspired by the house’s star patterned hardware, and the same metal pattern was used on some of the kitchen cabinet doors. The gate operates like a pocket door. When open, it slides into the half-wall behind the dog-bed area. When closed, it’s secured to the wall with a latch.

Great gate for the greyhounds

Her clients were delighted when architectural designer Alexandra Immel removed a wall between their tiny kitchen and the adjoining dining room. Now one open and attractive space, the redesigned kitchen and dining area is more welcoming and conducive to cooking and entertaining. But the homeowners still needed a way to restrict the movement of their three large greyhounds. Reluctant to mar the sleek lines of their new kitchen with the plastic baby gate they had used in the past, they added a wood framed tempered-glass door to separate the kitchen from the rest of the house. Functioning like a pocket door, the gate slides between the base cabinets and the back of the peninsula when not in use. A wheel mounted at the bottom of each end of the gate raises it off the floor, allowing it to glide back and forth with ease. Intended for dogs who won’t be trying to open it, the gate is heavy enough that it does not need a latch to stay closed. If the gate were designed to keep small children safe, locking pocket-door hardware could be installed in the leading edge of the gate and where the gate meets the base cabinet.

A place for the pups

When architect Jeffrey Pelletier remodeled his kitchen, he included some pretty sweet spots for his two small dogs, including an area under the kitchen island for their water bowl and a tilt-out cabinet above for their food.

For photos of these pet-friendly kitchen remodels, click the View PDF button below. 

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