5 Creative Ideas for Designing Pet-Friendly Cabinets and Storage
- Josh Klein
- Jan 19
- 5 min read
Ever step over a dog bowl, bump into a basket of chew toys, or discover your cat has claimed yet another cabinet as their personal condo?
Yeah. We’ve been there too.
In fact, after serving Coastal Georgia and Low Country South Carolina homes since 1984, our team at Closet & Cabinet Experts has met more golden retrievers, rescue pups, geriatric cats, and feisty kittens than we can count. And you know what we’ve learned?
Your home works best when your pet has a place of their own inside it.
And that’s exactly where pet-friendly cabinets come in.
Not the flimsy store-bought stuff that warps after a year of food spills and enthusiastic tail thwacks… We’re talking built-in, organized, truly functional spaces that make life easier for both you and your furry family member.
Why Built-In Pet Spaces Just Make Sense
You walk into your kitchen. No more dog bowls sliding across the floor. No more leaning over a cluttered corner to refill food. No more bags of kibble sitting out like oversized décor.
Everything has a home.
Everything is easy.
Everything looks good.
Sounds dreamy, right?
Well, that’s intentionally planning pet-friendly storage solutions as part of your cabinetry design. When you bake pet needs into your home’s layout—feeding stations, pet beds, supply drawers—you instantly cut down on clutter and daily chaos.
And here’s the real secret: Your pet already created a “system.” It’s just not a good one.
Those toys in every room? That’s their organizational style. Bless their hearts.
But when you upgrade your cabinetry, you get to create a system that actually works—for them and for you.
1. Built-In Feeding Stations
If your dog eats like they’re trying to beat an invisible clock, or your cat likes to dramatically splash water out of the bowl “just because,” then this one is for you.
A built-in feeding station inside pet-friendly cabinets keeps meals tidy, contained, and out of the footpath.
Here’s how we often design them:
A lower drawer that pulls out with built-in stainless-steel bowls
A toe-kick cutout where bowls sit flush with the cabinet front
A closed upper cabinet that stores food, treats, and meds
A wipeable mat or waterproof liner underneath (your future self will thank you)
Our Savannah clients especially love this option because kitchens tend to be the busiest rooms in the house. Also, a dedicated food zone means fewer spills, fewer tripping hazards, and far fewer “Oops, I kicked the water bowl again” moments.
Material Tip: Choose water-resistant finishes and durable surfaces like laminate, melamine, or powder-coated metal for the feeding station area. Trust us: Spills will happen.
2. Hidden Litter Box Compartments (Because Your Cat Deserves Privacy… and So Do You)
Let’s talk litter boxes—briefly, politely, and honestly.
They’re necessary. They’re not cute. They smell.
And they always seem to end up in the most awkward place possible.
What do you need here? Custom pet cabinets with built-in litter box enclosures.
We design these all the time, and homeowners LOVE them because they:
Hide the litter box inside a cabinet or bench
Include ventilation openings to keep the air fresh
Use easy-clean surfaces on the interior
Provide a side or front entry for your cat
Keep litter from scattering all over your floors
Just picture a mudroom bench with a hidden side entrance.Or a bathroom vanity with a discreet litter nook. Or a hallway cabinet that looks beautiful from the outside… and secretly houses your cat’s kingdom.
Here, consider thermofoil or laminate interiors. They’re smooth, easy to wipe, and far more “oops-proof” than raw wood.
3. Pull-Out Toy, Leash & Grooming Drawers (Pet Clutter, Meet Your Match)
Toys are multiplying in your home like they’re part of a government experiment?
Every pet owner eventually ends up with:
A basket of mismatched balls
A tangle of leashes
Grooming tools scattered in five different rooms
Treats hidden so well you forget where they are
Built-in pet organization ideas can give all of that a tidy, predictable home.
Here’s what we design most often:
Pull-out drawers with adjustable dividers for toys
Shallow organizers for grooming tools
Vertical cubbies for leashes and harnesses
Pull-out bins for kibble or litter
And because you’re building this into custom cabinetry, you can finally stop talking yourself into those flimsy plastic containers that crack after a year. And the built-in version? It’s going nowhere!
Soft-close drawers = no startling noises for anxious pets.
4. Built-In Pet Beds & Cozy Nooks (Your Pet’s New Favorite Spot)
Every household has “that spot” where your dog or cat always ends up.
The corner of the laundry room. Under a desk. Next to the sunny back door.
So, why not turn that naturally loved area into something intentional and beautiful?
Custom pet cabinets often include a built-in sleeping nook, which we can design to match your cabinetry and blend right into the room.
Some of our favorite placements:
Under mudroom benches
Inside a lower kitchen cabinet
In a hallway cubby
Built into a walk-in closet (yes, really)
Under a stair landing
These cozy cubbies become instant favorites for pets who love a snug hideaway. You maintain clean lines in your home, and your pet gets their own “apartment.” Everyone wins!
Material Tip: Removable, washable cushion covers are a must. Also, choose materials that resist pet hair and odors—outdoor fabrics work surprisingly well indoors.
5. Mudroom “Pet Stop” Stations (The Ultimate All-In-One Setup)
Now, if your dog comes in from outside looking like they wrestled a swamp creature… Or your cat likes to roll in every plant in the backyard… You, my friend, need a pet-friendly mudroom station.
These built-in pet storage ideas are some of our most-requested features because they keep the mess contained right where it enters the house.
A typical setup includes:
A lower cabinet for leashes and jackets
Hooks at pet height (yes, those exist!)
A built-in grooming drawer for brushes
A bench with space underneath for a pet bed
A nearby towel pull-out for quick cleanups
Optional: A pet shower or rinse station
Clients with active dogs absolutely love this one—it turns chaos into a simple routine.
Opt for scratch-resistant finishes. Pets mean business when they’re excited!
Choosing the Right Materials for Pet-Friendly Storage
Pets are adorable.
Pets are messy.
Pets are… unpredictable.
And that’s why the materials you use in pet-friendly home storage matter almost as much as the design. We usually recommend:
Easy-Clean Surfaces
Laminate
Melamine
Thermofoil
Powder-coated steel
These surfaces wipe clean, resist odors, and don’t stain easily.
Durable Hardware
Go with heavy-duty hinges and ball-bearing glides. Pets tug, bump, scratch, and slam things more than people do.
Moisture-Resistant Bases
Especially important for feeding stations and litter compartments.
Scratch-Resistant Finishes
Satin and matte hold up better than high-gloss around pets.
Why Work With Designers for Custom Pet Cabinets?
Because your pet deserves good design… and so do you.
You know your pet’s habits better than anyone. We know cabinetry, space planning, durability, and flow.
Put those together? Magic!
When you plan pet-friendly features with a designer, you get:
Smarter layouts
Better long-term durability
A cohesive, beautiful home
Features that actually fit your lifestyle
Solutions that look like part of the cabinetry—not an afterthought
And because we handle everything from consultation to design to build to installation, the process is easy, clear, and neighborly from start to finish.
Your Pet Deserves a Home That Works for Both of You
Your home is your sanctuary—and your pet is part of that sanctuary.
And if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities… that’s exactly what we’re here for.
We love helping homeowners create storage that feels like it finally fits—for the whole family, paws included.
Your pet already knows you’re their favorite human. Let’s design cabinetry that makes life easier for both of you!
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