Because pets are part of the family, their belongings should have a designated place in the home. These things are ideally placed where they will be easy to access when needed. Although you will often find a couple dog and cat toys scattered about the floor, most of my pets’ supplies have a home within our home. This may be inside a cabinet, in a basket or hanging in the entryway. Consider the following home storage solutions for pet supplies.
Designate a pet toy box
Most pets have a lot more toys than they can possibly play with at once. These toys should be kept in one place where they can be taken out for your pets during playtime. Your best bet is to designate a large toy box and to keep a few items in a small basket where they can pull out a toy when they want to play. Swap the toys out occasionally so your dog or cat doesn’t get bored playing with the same toys all the time.
Consider cabinetry storage ideas
There are virtually limitless options for pet storage that is built into cabinetry, especially if the cabinets are custom made. What can you store inside cabinets in the kitchen, laundry or mudroom? Pet dishes can be built into kitchen cabinets that pull out near the floor. You might like to build a pet bed into the laundry room cabinets. A cat box will be easy to access inside mudroom cabinets behind a swinging pet door.
Keep small items in decorative baskets
All my dog’s grooming supplies are organized inside various size baskets, which double as decorative storage solutions for an open shelving unit. Treats, medicine, brushes and any smaller items can be stored in small baskets and larger things in large baskets. Choose baskets that complement your decor; mine are dark, woven containers with a fabric lining. Yours may be colorful plastic, or whatever suits your style.
Decorate with unique treat canisters
Do you have old apothecary jars or decorative canisters that you never use? Turn them into decorative storage solutions. Line them up on the counter, a window sill or on a shelf and keep treats inside. I have two small glass jars with lids–one for the dog’s treats, and one for the cat’s. I placed each of the jars on either side of a short drinking glass, where I kept rawhide sticks. It looks like a pet candy store!
Hang leashes near the door
Leashes are easiest to access when they are hanging near the door, where you can grab them on your way out. Buy or make coat hooks that can double as a place to hang leashes and other pet supplies. I once made a shelf that had three hooks underneath; something like this can be a handy place to hang leashes and set doggy bags (or even your keys) as you walk in the door.
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Decorate the Mudroom With a Pets Theme