How to Build a Pet Nook for Your Furry Friend
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Puppy palace, kitty corner, pet nook—whatever you want to call it, this built-in mini room has become a signature from designer Jasmine Roth from HGTV’s Hidden Potential. And now, she’s sharing her favorite tips so you can build one in your own space! This clever cubby, pictured here in her own home, carves unused space under the stairs into a cozy hangout where her fur babies can curl up and chill. “Whenever I see ‘dead space’ in a home I’m designing, I think about how the homeowners might be able to use it,” says Jasmine. “Usually it’s the dogs that my heart goes out to, but I don’t discriminate against cats, storage, kids, or office space!”
If you have some extra space you want to get creative with in your home, then a pet nook could be the perfect DIY project. You could use some empty space under the stairs like Jasmine did, but you could also use some dead space below your built-in shelving, under a hutch, or even inside a wide cabinet, if you rent or don’t want to demo any walls. Because it’s so versatile, this is a pet hack that you could incorporate pretty much anywhere! And if you don’t have pets, it could be a great opportunity to splash a little personality around the home in an unexpected way.
How to Build a DIY Pet Nook
1. Make Sure It’s Structurally Sound
A local general contractor, carpenter, or handyman can help ensure your nook is structurally sound—especially if you’re working with a load-bearing wall. Before you start knocking down any walls at all, make sure you have a professional there to tell you that it’s safe first.
2. Play With Pattern
Have some fun with the walls! Jasmine likes using playful wallpaper, vintage mini mirrors, and framed photos of the pup’s friends to add personality to the small space. It doesn’t take much to give a tiny space a big makeover.
“Pups need a space to call their own, too! Just like humans, they enjoy a cozy home away from home where they can relax and savor some alone time whenever they want to.”
—Jonathan
3. Add In Comfortable Elements
Make sure your pup is comfortable by lining the floor with a custom cushion or dog bed. For extra coziness, add a faux fur blanket and some extra throw pillows. Your furry friend is going to love their paw-some new palace!
By Hannah Baker | Photograph by Michael Radford
Pet Nook Additions They’ll Drool Over
