Home design has gone to the dogs (and cats): creative ways to store your pet gear

TUCK AWAY THE TOYS. When it comes to corralling balls, rope toys and squeaky stuffed animals, look for low-profile storage containers that can be tucked under the couch or bed. Options range

from wood and wicker to plastic costing as low as $20 at Walmart. Or tuck toys into a stylish storage ottoman that matches your decor. For easy access and easy cleaning, Trunz advises

keeping toys in the room where your dog likes to spend time. “It’s best to have one big catchall for cleaning up the toys.” MAKE A TO-GO BAG. You may reach for leashes and doggy sweaters,

raincoats and booties as often as you grab your car keys, so keeping them accessible is essential. Trunz suggests allocating a shelf or a segment of hanging space in a closet for your pet’s

essentials. If you can’t stuff anything else in your closet, store pet gear in clear zip bags with labels and tuck it into an easy-to-access drawer. PET WARDROBES. You could purchase

customized pet wardrobes or hanging racks. You can find prefab pup-sized wardrobes on Amazon for less than $100. Custom closets and clothing racks complete with engraved nameplates cost a

few hundred dollars when ordered on Etsy. Evelina Juzėnaitė, principal interior designer at Planner 5D, suggests lockers for storing your pet gear. “If you have several pets, having a space

designated for each is a great way to know where everything is,” she says. “You can even add a name or portrait of an animal to the doors.” Score vintage lockers on Facebook Marketplace or

purchase new (in traditional metal or bold colors) from big-box retailers. NEXT-LEVEL PET DESIGN Some people take pet-centered design very seriously. The trend, sometimes called

“bark-itecture,” includes several upscale options. SLIDING DOG GATES. When you need to secure the dog in a separate room, skip the unattractive baby gates. Pocket dog gates, similar to

pocket doors, disappear into door frames and can be tucked out of sight when not in use, Ahearn says. You’ll need to hire a contractor to do the job and can expect to spend $800 to $2,500

for the high-end option. PLATFORM BEDS. Building a platform beneath your bed creates the perfect spot to tuck cozy dog beds beneath. The dog gets “its own little compartment to sleep in at

night but is still in close proximity to the owner,” Ahearn says. Basic versions of beds with built-in cubbies beneath are sold through Walmart and other retailers for around $400; custom

designs go for much more.