Designing a Home That Works for Every Member of the Family Including Pets

When planning a new kitchen, bathroom or utility room, most people naturally focus on how the space will work for the household. But increasingly, those conversations also include another important member of the family - the pets.

At Gardiner Haskins Interiors, we have noticed more customers considering pets as part of the design process, whether that’s choosing durable flooring, planning practical storage or incorporating a dedicated dog wash into a utility room. It’s something we understand well ourselves too, with our own office dogs regularly making themselves at home in our pet-friendly Bristol showroom - where visiting dogs are always welcome.

The result isn’t about “pet-proofing” a home. Instead, it’s about creating spaces that feel practical, organised and better suited to everyday living.

Kitchens Designed Around Real Life

The kitchen often becomes the centre of family life, and pets are usually part of that daily rhythm.

Material choices can make a noticeable difference over time. Easy-clean cabinetry, durable flooring and hardwearing worktops all help support a space that feels practical without compromising on design.

Matt finishes and textured surfaces can also be more forgiving in busy households, while open-plan layouts allow kitchens to feel connected to the rest of the home. Some homeowners even incorporate more discreet details, such as built-in feeding stations or integrated storage for pet essentials, helping maintain a calmer, less cluttered feel.

The focus is always on creating a kitchen that supports everyday routines naturally.

Utility Rooms and Dog Washes

One of the most requested pet-friendly features we’re seeing is the addition of a dog wash within the utility room.

For homes with active dogs, especially after countryside walks or wetter weather, having a dedicated wash area helps keep the rest of the home cleaner and more organised. Utility rooms are increasingly being designed as hardworking spaces that combine laundry, storage and pet care within one practical layout.

A built-in dog wash space can include:

• Handheld shower fittings

• Easy-clean wall surfaces

• Durable flooring

• Integrated towel and lead storage

• Raised platforms for easier access

When incorporated thoughtfully, these features feel integrated into the room rather than added as an afterthought.

A dog wash installed into a real customer kitchen for Roz & Neil.

Bathrooms That Support Everyday Use

Bathrooms can also be designed with pets in mind, often through subtle practical decisions rather than obvious features.

Walk-in showers can make washing dogs easier, while handheld shower attachments offer greater flexibility. Slip-resistant flooring may also help improve comfort and practicality for both pets and people.

Larger baths continue to work well for some households, particularly where dogs still need occasional bathing indoors. The key is ensuring the layout supports how the room is genuinely used day to day.

Choosing Practical Materials

Homes with pets often place different demands on surfaces and finishes.

Flooring choices become particularly important, especially in high-traffic areas such as kitchens, utility rooms and entrances. Porcelain tiles, luxury vinyl and textured finishes are all popular options due to their durability and ease of maintenance.

Similarly, when choosing furniture and upholstery, many homeowners now consider fabrics and finishes that are easier to maintain while still feeling refined and comfortable within the space.

Practicality no longer means compromising on style.

Designing Around Everyday Living

The best interiors are rarely designed around trends alone. They’re designed around how people actually live.

That might mean more storage, easier maintenance, better organisation or thoughtful details that support the routines of the whole household, pets included.

At Gardiner Haskins Interiors, our approach always begins with understanding how a space needs to function day to day. Whether designing kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms or fitted furniture, the goal is to create interiors that feel cohesive, practical and comfortable to live in long term.

Final Thoughts

Pets naturally shape the way a home is used, and increasingly they are becoming part of the design conversation too.

By considering practical layouts, durable materials and thoughtful storage from the outset, it’s possible to create spaces that feel calm, organised and better suited to everyday family life, for every member of the household.