One of the most exciting things about building a new home is the ability to customize various aspects to meet your exact wants and needs. From spacious kitchens to luxurious bathrooms to smart features, the team at Triple A Homes is ready to take your custom home to the next level, including pet-friendly features. Pets are, after all, part of the family and should not be forgotten during the home design process! Think of your pets while your home is still in the blueprint stage and add convenience, safety, and happiness for your four-legged friends.

Perhaps the most important element to consider when building a pet-friendly home is its flooring. Pets can be tough on floors as scratching, shedding, and occasional accidents can quickly cause wear and tear.

• Hardwood Alternatives: While traditional hardwood floors are stunning, they are prone to scratches and water damage. Install luxury vinyl plank, engineered hardwood, or bamboo flooring in your pets’ high-traffic areas. Each of these options is scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and can mimic the look of natural wood seamlessly.
• Tile or Stone: Tile and stone flooring are excellent choices for homes with pets and come with textured surfaces that can reduce slipping. Both options are durable, easy to clean, and stain-resistant. For those with senior pets, consider adding heating elements beneath your floor to create a joint-friendly spot to relax.
• Carpet Considerations: Carpets can make a home feel cozy, but it is important to choose a pet-friendly option! Select low-pile or stain-resistant varieties in multi-tone or darker shades to help disguise pet hair. Non-slip area rugs are also a great choice for high pet-traffic areas.

If you are a pet owner, you already know that your furry friends tend to bring in dirt, mud, and moisture from the outside. Allow the design team at Triple A Homes to create an entryway focused on leaving outdoor elements behind.

• Durable Flooring and Washable Walls: Install durable flooring at your home’s primary pet entryway. Use washable, semi-gloss paint on this area’s walls to handle the splashes of water and dirt. Combining pet-friendly flooring and paint will allow your pets to shake off the outdoors on easy-to-clean surfaces.
• Storage for Pet Gear: Custom-built mud rooms continue to be very popular in newly built homes. When designing yours, don’t forget to add a cubby for your pets! Reserve a cabinet for leashes, pet towels, and grooming supplies to help keep things organized.
• Built-In Pet Washing Stations: A small, waist-high pet shower or washing station in the mudroom can make bath time easier, especially for dogs. Include a handheld sprayer and non-slip tiles. A bonus? It’s also a great spot to rinse off muddy paws and boots!

Feeding areas for pets should be convenient and clean. With some creativity, they can also blend seamlessly into your new home’s design.

• Custom Feeding Drawers: Pull-out drawers with built-in pet bowls help keep feeding stations tidy while minimizing spills. When not in use, they can also be tucked away out of sight.
• Elevated Feeding Areas: Raised food and water stations are great for larger dogs, reducing strain on their necks, aiding digestion, and creating a smaller splash zone.
• Water Fountains: Consider installing a filtered pet water fountain in your kitchen or mudroom to encourage hydration, especially for cats. Cats prefer moving water, which is why they often dip their paws before drinking. A water fountain will reduce those wet paw prints trailing from the bowl!

Just like their favorite humans, pets need dedicated space to encourage feelings of comfort and security. Design a space away from your home’s traffic flow where your pet can rest undisturbed throughout the day.

• Pet Nooks: One of the most common convertible spaces for pets is under the staircase. This space often goes unused and can easily be transformed into the perfect pet nook.
• Dual-Purpose Crates: Dog crates come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including options that serve a dual purpose. Invest in an end table that also houses a small crate or, if you are a multi-dog home, use two stylish crates as support ends for a workspace or desk.
• Dog Beds: A quality dog bed tucked into a quiet corner gives pets a place to retreat to when they need downtime. If your home has multiple floors, consider buying a pet bed for each level.
• Window Perches: Cats love observing the outside world! A built-in perch or extra-wide window ledge offers the perfect spot for cats to watch their favorite show.
• Enclosed Cat Rooms: If you have multiple cats, consider installing a small, enclosed space with shelves and climbing structures for your feline friends. This multi-purpose space can serve as a play area, house litter and food, or simply offer a space for an epic catnap.

Cats make amazing companions, except for one small quandary: Where to put the litter box? Designing a custom home allows you to create the perfect, out-of-sight spot!

• Hidden Boxes: Consider building a faux cabinet to serve as a hidden bathroom for your cats. This well-ventilated space is a great way to keep that litter out of sight.
• Automatic Litter Boxes: Self-cleaning litter boxes reduce odor, maintenance time, and require less attention from homeowners.
• Cat (Bath) Rooms: If you do opt for an enclosed cat room, it will also offer the perfect out-of-sight area for a litter box.
• More is Better: If you have a multi-cat home, you should also have multiple litter boxes to eliminate territory wars. Whether you opt for multiple boxes on a single floor or to spread them out on separate levels, the more the better. 

Smart technology isn’t just for homeowners. Smart technology can also enhance a pet’s life!

• Smart Pet Doors: Electronic pet doors that respond to microchip collars allow your pets to come and go on their schedule while eliminating the chance of strays doing the same. If you opt for a pet door of any kind, make sure it leads to a secure, fenced area.
• Cameras and Monitors: Smart cameras let you check in on your pets when you’re not home. Some even allow you to talk to your four-legged friends and distribute treats to that very good boy.
• Automated Feeders: Schedule meals with programmable pet feeders. Automated feeders are terrific in single-pet households and can eliminate owner stress on days when your return home is later than usual.

A well-designed yard ensures pets have a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience. The team at Triple A Homes knows how important the great outdoors is to our clients–including time spent with pets!

• Secure Fencing: Choose a fence that is tall enough to keep dogs contained. Install a dig-proof barrier at the bottom for extra security.
• Pet-Resistant Landscaping: It is crucial, as your home nears completion, to let your landscaping team know if you have pets. Avoid pet-toxic plants like lilies and azaleas opting instead for pet-friendly greenery like lavender, rosemary, and marigolds.
• Designated Potty Areas: Install a gravel or artificial turf area for your pets' nature breaks. These are terrific for easy cleanup! Once moved in, train your pets to use this special spot by guiding them to it each time you take them outside. Before long, they will head there on their own!
• Shaded and Cooling Areas: Ensure there are shaded spots for your pets to relax in on warm summer days. Consider installing a pet-friendly splash pad–it’s a great spot to play and cool down!
• Safety is paramount when designing a home. If you are a pet-lover, don’t forget to include safety features geared toward your four-legged friends.
• Pet Gates: Stylish, built-in gates can separate pets from restricted areas without looking out of place.
• Pet-Proof Windows: Ensure windows have secure screens and latches to prevent pets from escaping or falling.
• Toxin-Free Materials: Choose non-toxic paints, finishes, and cleaning products to keep pets safe.
• Soft-Close Cabinets: Prevent paws and tails from getting caught in slamming doors by opting for soft-close cabinetry.

Designing a home with pets in mind doesn’t mean sacrificing style or comfort. By incorporating pet-friendly features, you create a space that works for both you and your furry companions. The design team at Triple A Homes understands that pets are part of the family and is happy to incorporate a variety of pet-friendly options into your home’s blueprint. Triple A Homes is currently building luxury, custom homes in Apex, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs, and Pittsboro.

For a pawsitively, purrfect pet-friendly home design, reach out to Triple A Homes today.