A huge rise in pet ownership during lockdown has led to the new Barkitecture trend, which is all about keeping pets in mind when decorating.
You may have already considered your dog or cat when buying for the home – pet vaccuum cleaners, scratching posts, dog bed areas, or perhaps wood or vinyl flooring for those muddy pawprints – but how many have actually designed areas just for their pampered pets?
More of us than you might think, apparently, as Pinterest has revealed searches for luxury dog rooms have increased by 115 per cent since lockdown. Meanwhile, people looking for pet beds styled as furniture has tripled, and the hunt for cat house design ideas is also on the up.
You may not want to go the whole hog (or should that be dog?) and make over a room just for your pet, but we’ve sniffed out some simple ways for you to incorporate the barkitecture trend without breaking the bank.
Spare room pad
Ok, so it might seem crazy to give over a room to your dog, but if your spare room is currently just a dumping ground for old toys or piles of washing, there’s no harm in making it a dog-friendly den, filled with plenty of their favourite toys and blankets. It’s the ultimate play zone, and also keeps your pet’s toys out of the way but still easily accessible.
Have we got snooze for you
Turn bedtime into an event with a dog bed styled as actual furniture. You can find a multitude of beds that look like mini sofas, luxury loungers and even space pods – just pawfect for the design-conscious dog.
Picture pawfect
Frame a pet portrait or favourite photo and hang in pride of place. You can also find places that can convert your favourite pet picture into a renaissance painting or dress your pet up as a regal princess or dashing superhero.
Cat-a-walling
Create a cat’s playground on a blank wall by fixing a series of cat shelves at various heights and distances to jump around. Many come with sisal surfaces for scratching or cushioned tops to make the perfect lounging spot and can be used alongside tall cat towers and posts. As they’re fixed to the wall, they don’t take up any floor space, either.
