Dogs and cats have always had gear around the house, from a comfy pillow to nap on or a chew toy to play with, but a new trend is kicking things up a notch for our beloved pets that involves considering them before making major design and remodeling decisions.
You might be familiar with the term “Barkitecture,” which originally meant elaborate dog houses and cat condos, but it has expanded to cover all sorts of elegant furniture and gear for pets.
So what’s behind this trend?
Jennifer Kovacs, Vice President of Merchandising for Dog and Cat Supplies at Petco tells RetailMeNot, “Pet parents continue to find new ways to treat and care for their pets as they would any other family member – including them in the home design process is just another way to do that. It’s more than just designating space for your pets to wipe their muddy paws; it’s about incorporating your pets’ behavior and preferences into the flow and design of your home, instead of tucking it all away.”
The trend has been growing for years, the expert says, with pet parents extending their personal preferences, standards and expectations towards their pets when it comes to everything from wellness to home décor.
“If the pet parent leans toward a modern, minimalist style for their home, they’re looking for items that help them extend that style to their pets’ spaces, as well.”
Maybe you don’t have the space or budget to build a full-on pet palace (though Americans did spend over $100 billion on their animals in 2021 and 2022!) but there are still many ways to incorporate a sense of style and pizzazz while shopping for your pet. After all, who is more deserving of spoiling than our beloved companions? Scroll down for some fun splurges, then visit RetailMeNot’s massive list of pet freebies and deals to balance it all out.
Dog Furniture
— Editors’ Pick —
Top Paw® Indoor/Outdoor Elevated Dog Bed
What You Get: An elevated dog bed that’s simple, minimalistic and a perfect fit for any indoor/outdoor space. The breathable fabric will keep your furry friend comfortable during relaxation and rest.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s ready to fit all types of environments and it’s easy to clean so you can maintain the quality. Plus, your pet can hang beside you wherever you go. Ready for the deal to get even sweeter? On top of PetSmart’s current $10 off orders of $50+ with free same-day delivery deal, you can also get 10% cash back on purchases sitewide.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: Dogs love to be close to their human best friends, but indoor and outdoor temperature changes may limit where they feel comfortable laying down. The material in this elevated dog bed offers quality and consistency so your dog can slip into a sweet puppy dream anywhere.
Price: $29.99 at PetSmart.com
Fable Crate
What You Get: This wooden dog crate fits right into an elegant living room, and serves as a handy little side table, as well. Comes in small or medium, depending on the size of your dog’s adorable chonky body.
Why You’ll Love It: Dog crates are not the most attractive things around since they’re typically all wire and more function than form, so designers taking the time to make ones that look good is appreciated.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: Dogs consider their crate a safe haven to sleep, chill and destress.
Price: $395 – $595 at FablePets.com
Merry Products 2-in-1 Configurable Pet Crate and Gate
What You Get: This cool 2-in-1 crate from Petco unfolds to serve a gate to keep your dog in (or out) of a certain room. When in crate form, it’s got an attractive wooden top so it can stay in the living room/family room and blend in instead of sticking out.
Why You’ll Love It: Getting anything 2-in-1 cuts down on expenses (and outfitting a home for a new dog can add up) and saves you space. This is also handy if you’re taking your pet on a visit to a relative and want to keep them in one room.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: “Ensuring pets are comfortable, at ease, safe and stimulated in their home environment is an important aspect of supporting their overall health and wellness,” Kovacs says, so products that prevent them from getting into trouble or getting hurt makes their lives better and more fun.
Price: $149.69, $169.99 – $199.99, $239.99 at Petco.com
Heisler Dog Sofa
What You Get: A gorgeous couch bed for dogs. It’s 12” x 26.5” x16” so it’s the ideal size for toy breeds and other small pooches.
Why You’ll Love It: The piece is seriously attractive. As in, if it came in a bigger size, you’d want it for yourself.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: Dogs sleep half the day away (and puppies need up to 18 to 20 hours of sleep each day!) so you know they’ll love another spot for naps
Price: $89.99, $169.99 at Wayfair.com
Farm House Dog Bed
What You Get: Perhaps rustic is more their style? If so, order this large (36″ x 24″ x 8″) acaia wood cozy sleeping spot for them.
Why You’ll Love It: This will match your farmhouse decor, and from a practical standpoint, you’ll appreciate that the cover of the cushion unzips and can be thrown into the washing machine. Kovacs says that personalized dog beds are particularly trendy now, too, and all part of creating a space for a pet that’s all their own.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: As noted above, more spots to snooze = happy pup! Plus, the mattress is made of orthopedic memory foam for an extra-comfy snuggle spot.
Price: $209.20 $224.95 at Etsy (28PetSupplies Shop)
PawHut Wicker Dog House Elevated Pet Bed
What You Get: A dog bed with canopy covering to keep them cool and comfortable on sunny days. This 36″ x 28″ x 32″ holds dogs that weigh up to 55 pounds.
Why You’ll Love It: The design blends well with the outdoors and it’s roomy! (Check out the Amazon reviewer photos for furry friends enjoying themselves on theirs.)
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: Where you are is where they want to be, so if you’re outdoors chilling and grilling, they can join you without getting overheated.
Price: $99.99, $129.99 at Amazon.com
Recommended: Does your dog need boots? A dog trainer weighs in
Cat Furniture
Elevated Ceramic Double Pet Feeder
What You Get: A quality Teamson Pet product complete with two ceramic and dishwasher-safe white bowls in a lovely ashwood stand that can be cleaned with ease. This feeder holds a bowl for food and for water.
Why You’ll Love It: This can be used indoors or out, though it should not be left outdoors in extreme weather. Kovacs says that a more elegant-looking food and water setup is not just a way to include a beloved pet in family mealtime, but does so in a way that matches the aesthetic of the rest of the home.
Save time by ordering your pet food online.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: This is designed with comfort in mind — the feeder is the perfect height for eating and drinking.
Price: $42.99 at Maisonette.com
Cat Storage Basket
What You Get: A 16″ x 13.5″ x 8.5″ storage basket made of woven natural water hyacinth and an iron frame.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s the simplest way to quickly clean up any messy toys. Got a dog? Get a bone-shaped basket for them.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: Though cats may not mind what shape their toy box is, they will like that this one gives them access to their favorite squeaky toys whenever they feel like grabbing one.
Price: $69 at PotteryBarn.com
Wood Backrest Cat Sofa Chair
What You Get: Choose from a pretty pastel pink or a more subdued blue, this cotton and wood chair gives cats the dignity they deserve.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s easy to put together, and the cushion is made of an abrasion-resistant cotton so it won’t get ruined with one wrong flick of the paw.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: Felines know that they deserve throne-like seating.
Price: $74.99 $79.99 at HappyAndPolly.com
Wood Litter Box Enclosure
What You Get: With a modern design, this litter box lets them have some privacy when doing their business.
Why You’ll Love It: Though it’s still a litter box and nothing will change that, this is about as attractive a way to house one as you’ll ever find, and the enclosed design helps reduce odors. It’s also available in four colors so you can select one that will best match your space.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: The added level of privacy is something cats will appreciate.
Price: $139.99, $169.99 at Wayfair.com
EveryYay Scratchin’ The Surface Cactus Cat Scratcher
What You Get: This on-trend cat scratcher keeps cats happy and engaged, in a design that blends in nicely to the rest of a home that is infused with natural elements. “Cat furniture and scratchers have evolved significantly and pet parents are always looking for colors and configurations that blend in and keep their cat occupied and happy,” Kovacs says.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s made from jute, it’s attractive, and your cat will (hopefully!) scratch this and not your sofa.
Why Your Pet Will Love It Too: Three awesome covered scratching posts for all sorts of playtime shredding fun.
Price: $39.99 at Petco.com
The post 11 Pieces of Pet Furniture to Jump on the Barkitecture Trend appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
