The latest home décor and design trend steadily climbing the popularity charts, is all about making your precious pet(s) feel safer, more comfortable and more stylish (why not?) at home.  

WHY BARKITECTURE IS IMPORTANT 

Let’s take a moment to think about the  role of ‘quiet hero’ that so many pets have played – and continue to play – during life in the pandemic.

Have we taken their presence for granted much more than we have actually appreciated it? Is there anything we can do to make them feel like they don’t need to travel far at all, for a place to call home? Barkitecture trends offer an answer and a tribute, too. 

We humans should feel as grateful for our pets as they might feel grateful for us.  Yes, many of us may have given the lonely one in the litter a new home, or adopted a lost, abandoned creature. Some of us have even helped our pets fight death and nursed them back to good health, or permanently adopted one that we only intended to foster for some time.

 Whatever the circumstance, soul-stirring effects have always been mutual. The many stories of people who were vehemently against pets in the house but are now their best friends and staunch guardians, is evidence of the fact, isn’t it?

WHAT DOES BARKITECTURE ENTAIL?

The name may seem partial to dogs, but it certainly welcomes cats, birds, and any other favourite pet. Barkitecture goes beyond making the living space user friendly. Sure, it includes pet-proofing, but it’s also about a conscious decision to designate living and relaxing spaces specifically for your furry, winged and even scaly friends (think goldfish).

You may not have a pet, or may not even want one. But, you may like animals, generally. In that case, Barkitecture is for you if you’re all about making your space inviting and convenient for pets of the family and of friends, especially if you don’t mind being the go-to ‘pet-sitter.’

HOW TO BEGIN WITH BARKITECTURE TRENDS

In the true fuss-free functional spirit of modern minimalism, we recommend that you begin with assessing your space and working with whatever you’ve got, before investing in new materials. Would the investments be worth it, though? Without a tail-wag of a doubt!

A REDECORATED SPARE ROOM OR SPACIOUS CORNER

Pet pawrents will think nothing of turning that one room everyone wants but no one knows why, or what for, into the doggie or kitty room. 

It’s not new at all, in fact, to decorate such a room with cots or beds, pet bean bags, bed linen, and curtains. Such a room will also have playtime ‘cocoons,’ forts, multilevel towers as scratching posts, and ‘climbing walls’ if your kitty is a particularly fidgety, hyperactive feline.

Shelves – for snacks, meal bags, or grooming accessories – are thoughtful, and practical.

Why just a stand, when you can have a ‘gastro-pub mood’ feeding station?

Even your pets’ pets can have their own wall of fame. That’s too many toys, woofed and mewed no pet ever!

Don’t forget hooks to hang outerwear – like raincoats and caps – besides drawers for clothing, blankets, thermal coats,  and booties. This sounds surreal, but it’s a daily reality for pet pawrents!

If not an entire room, then that large, awkward corner, or the spandrel – the space beneath the staircase – has a fresh purpose with Barkitecture.

FURNITURE AND HOME TEXTILES MADE WITH REPURPOSED OR RECYCLED ITEMS

Think again before discarding old dressers, cabinets, or table tops. Or those broken legs from tables that aren’t around anymore. Even old dresses, robes, kaftans, skirts and shirts. If  you’re thinking about Barkitecture, then you do have at least  one practical or creative use for these. 

They can be used to make a bed, support bench, or an eclectic mix of food and chewy-toy containers. Maybe, even an ‘exercise space’ for your excessively indoorsy pet. 

The fabrics can be used to make ‘sheers’ and curtains, covers, or to upholster that cushion or pillow your pet would fight you for possession.

Mirrors. Don’t forget extra, unused mirrors! They’re entertainment for your pet, and that could mean a lot of IG-worthy entertainment content for you! 

SHOWER AND SPA STATION, ANYONE?

You’ve only to look to your usual pet salon or grooming service for some design and décor tips.  A cubicle-like space should do it, for the important bath time basics. But, if there’s scope for installing a shower and a convenient draining arrangement, then nothing like it.  

Should you want to go all out, pick new tiles, lighting, and bath mats, along with shelves in fun shapes for storing soaps, sprays, brushes; floating toys, gloves, towels, and other cleaning accessories

If you know your pet(s) dread bathing, as much as they dread a visit to the vet; but then you’re surprised to see them enjoying this station, you’ll know what was missing all along. 

SWEET-DEAL SOFAS

These are pets of the future. They’ll find ways to let you know they’re thinking out of the box – literally – and would like you to do so, too. You simply can’t keep them cooped up in baskets anymore while you’re multitasking; watching TV, and watching them. If you don’t like them on your sofa, you’ll simply have to get them their own. There’s a market for it, and you’ll be surprised at what’s available out there.

MY FABRICS ARE MY FABRICS, YOUR FABRICS ARE OUR FABRICS

It’s relatable: the idea, the visual of a pet lounging everywhere, except on their own sofas. 

The solution: as pet-proof an upholstery fabric as you can find.

Cotton or linen fabrics with a relatively high percentage of nylon, polyester, velvet or velvet-like velour, and other synthetic materials of personal preference work well; especially if woven, and textured on the surface. This woven-textured look brings in dimension, depth, and even a distracting visual effect, making it easier to hide stains and scuffing.

If your pet tends to shed, dark-coloured fabrics may not be the best choice. If you must have darker shades, see if you can find a patterned option that you like, as the details of the patterns draw attention away from the ‘artwork’ of mischievous pets 

When shopping for pet-proof fabrics, ask for more information about the fabric construction and pile. Low-pile, denser or tighter weave fabrics prove to be better choices if your pets like to have their claws out and can’t help pulling away at your sofa legs, instead of their scratching post.