Bespoke Dog Beds Built Into the Kitchen
More than half of UK households own a pet, and for most of those homes the animal spends more of its day in the kitchen than anywhere else. It follows that the kitchen should be designed around them, rather than the bed being an afterthought pushed into a corner once the units are in. We have built dog beds into many of our kitchens. Below are three from projects across Essex and Hertfordshire, each solving the problem differently. Our guide to the
covers the wider question of materials, flooring and layout.
Bespoke Dog Beds at a Glance
A bespoke dog bed is a sleeping space built into the kitchen cabinetry rather than a freestanding basket. It is made to the dimensions of the dog, usually with drawers alongside for food, leads, grooming kit and waste bags, and it is finished in the same paint and timber as the rest of the run so it reads as part of the kitchen. The three usual positions are within a tall run of cabinetry, inside the utility or boot room end of the kitchen, or beneath an extended worktop. Handmade Kitchen Company design and build them alongside the kitchen from our workshop in Essex.
Built into the cabinetry: Chelmsford
Our clients in this
project had a clear vision for the renovated and extended room at the rear of the property. They wanted a bespoke dog bed that was comfortable but also earned its space, with storage for all the dog's accessories built in around it. It became an eye-catching feature in its own right, positioned close to the entertaining area and the garden doors, so the dog is in the middle of things rather than shut away from them.
In the boot room end: Bishop's Stortford
Stanley's bed in this
kitchen was built for him specifically: a retreat to settle into while the family is in the room, but out of the main working triangle. It sits within the kitchen run, with drawers built alongside for food, treats, grooming kit and waste bags. This part of the room doubles as a
and
, which is the natural home for a dog bed: it is where muddy paws arrive, and where the lead, towel and food already live.
The wider shot shows how the bed sits within the run, reading as cabinetry rather than as a pet bed dropped into the room.
Beneath an extended worktop: Chelmsford
The bed does not have to be enclosed within cabinetry. In this
kitchen the worktop was extended out into the open space to form what is effectively a peninsula, leaving generous floor space underneath for the dog bed. This approach suits a larger dog, or an owner who would rather not box the animal in. It also costs nothing in cabinetry, since it uses space that would otherwise be a void beneath an overhang.
Bespoke Dog Bed FAQs
Where is the best place for a dog bed in a kitchen?
Out of the working triangle but still within sight of it. Dogs settle better where they can see the family, so a corner near the seating or garden doors works well, while directly beside the hob, the oven or the main walkway does not. The boot room or utility end is the other strong option, because the lead, towel and food are already there.
What size should a built-in dog bed be?
Measure the dog lying fully stretched out on its side, then add roughly 15cm in each direction. Building to the dog rather than to a standard cabinet size is the whole point of doing it bespoke, and it is worth allowing a little extra if the dog is young and still growing.
Should the dog bed have storage built around it?
Usually yes, and it is the part clients appreciate most afterwards. A drawer or two alongside takes food, treats, leads, grooming kit, towels and waste bags, which keeps the clutter that comes with a dog out of the main kitchen cupboards.
Is a built-in dog bed practical to keep clean?
It is more practical than a basket, provided it is designed for it. We specify a removable, washable cushion, hand-painted surfaces that wipe down, and an opening wide enough to get a vacuum into the back of the recess.
Where does Handmade Kitchen Company build bespoke dog beds?
We design, hand-build and hand-paint bespoke kitchens, including built-in dog beds and boot room furniture, from our workshop in Essex, for clients across Essex, Hertfordshire and North London. If you would like to know more about building a bespoke dog bed into your kitchen,
today. We look forward to hearing from you.
