For many pet owners, dogs are as much a part of the family as the kids. Dogs fill our homes with companionship, unconditional love, and lots of hair. As pet parents, we want to provide the best possible care for our furry friends, including the ability to provide grooming and bathing. Creating dedicated space for your loyal friend in the way of a dog spa can be a practical and cost effective way to create a pet-friendly home.

Grooming can be expensive, especially if your pet requires regular hair cuts. Adding a grooming space to your home can easily pay for itself in just a couple years by eliminating those $100 appointments every month. Plus, it can be a great selling feature in a competitive housing market. Here are some tips for designing a laundry room with a dog spa.

Choose a suitable location for the dog spa

When we are planning a laundry room renovation with a dog spa, it’s essential to choose the right location. Ideally, the space should be large enough to allow you to get down on your dog’s level (or raise him up to yours) and move around, and located where it is easily accessible but separate enough to keep your dog contained. If you enjoy hiking with your dog, or frequent trips to the dog park, direct access from outside may be a bonus. Additionally, the room should be well-ventilated and waterproof, with proper drainage to avoid water damage or mold growth.

Install dog-friendly fixtures and materials

To ensure that your dog spa is both functional and comfortable, it’s important to choose the right fixtures and materials. Consider installing a dog-sized bath tub or shower, as well as a hand shower or grooming wand on a long hose for getting Pup’s underbelly and easy cleaning after bath time. Add a hook to hold your dog’s leash so he can’t jump and run. Think about choosing non-skid flooring to provide traction and prevent falls. Using outdoor cabinetry can help withstand water exposure from your clean dog’s after bath shake-off or if you accidently spray water in the wrong direction during the final rinse.  Heavy duty, water proof materials will stand up to frequent  and heavy use and cleaning.

Personalize It and Make it Fun!

Nobody enjoys giving the dog a bath, especially the dog. Add some fun items such as a licking pad to help reduce his stress or floating water toys to take his attention away from the task at hand. To make bath time more fun for you, think about adding some fun wallpaper or tile showcasing furry friends. A colorful thick, absorbent rug will both help with spills and be easier on your knees And some canine artwork on the walls will finish the room to be fun and inviting.

Add storage for dog grooming supplies

One of the biggest challenges of pet grooming is keeping all the necessary supplies organized and easily accessible. Consider incorporating storage solutions into your renovation. A built-in niche within arms’ reach in the dog’s shower that can hold pump bottles of shampoos can help when you only have one free hand. A bar or rail to hold buckets or canisters on brushes and combs will keep them close at hand but off the floor for easy access. A shelf on casters to hold towels is a great way to pull them close while keeping the towels dry. And a waterproof container of dog treats is a necessity to reward good bath time behavior- try one with a push button releasable lid for quick opening and closing.

Make it comfortable for you and your dog

Even if your dog’s space isn’t a full on dog spa, it’s important to make sure that the dog room is comfortable for both you and your furry friend. Install appropriate lighting and a ventilation fan to create a light and pleasant atmosphere, and add a cozy bed or mat to make the space inviting for your dog. Find a good place for dog bowls that is out of the way of being kicked over but easy for your pet to reach. Also, you could consider adding a sound system to play calming music or white noise to help sooth your pet during grooming or while you are away from the house.

Using these tips to incorporate a dedicated dog room into your home renovation can be a great way to create a pet-friendly home while also improving the functionality and aesthetics of your living space. With careful planning, attention to detail, and the help of a talented designer, you can have a dog spa that makes grooming your pet much easier on you and adds value to your home.

At Virginia Design Group, we hold a special affection for our furry friends and relish the chance to create an exceptional doggy spa in your laundry area through our design and execution services. Contact Jennifer Duncan and her team to schedule a consultation.

P.S. DJ and Mac have requested Jennifer add a spa in their home, too.