As much as we love our pets, sometimes sacrificing our living space for their needs can grow tiring. Between food bowls and furry couches, pets require you to make certain concessions in your apartment rental. But we love our furry friends enough to get past any hurdle. After spending so much time renting apartments, we’ve come up with a few decor hacks that remove the everyday obstacles pet ownership brings.
The Kitty Sleeper
It’s no secret that cats love covered spaces, almost as much as they love heights. Unfortunately, cat trees take up a large amount of room, and cardboard boxes aren’t exactly stunning decor. So we’ve come up with a solution that lets your kitty stay off the ground while still feeling enclosed.
The only items needed for this hack are things you likely already own. But be warned, you’ll have to sacrifice some dresser space for this, unless you enjoy furry clothes. First, clean out a dresser drawer, preferably one mid way up the dresser. Next, either place a cat-bed inside of it, or make your own out of towels and blankets. Leave the drawer open enough for your cat to jump in and your kitty will have his or her own private sleeping compartment. Alternatively, remove the dresser drawer and its rail system entirely to keep a sleek look.
Note: We strongly suggest making the bed in a drawer not near the floor. Tripping on open lower drawers is almost guaranteed at night.
The Vanishing Litter Box
No one likes an unsightly litter box. Even in the absence of everyday cleaning duties, a litter box is never going to be appealing. Our solution is to hide that box from view, while still allowing your cat easy access. This can be accomplished by purchasing something like this pet-friendly piece of furniture or by converting any end table with a cupboard door into a place to hide the box. A cat door can be installed on the cupboard door, allowing your cat constant access while also keeping the litter box from becoming an eyesore in the bathroom. As a bonus, kitty will also have his or her privacy.
The Coffee Table Dog Bed
This trick works by utilizing space that already exists in most apartments. Depending on how tall your coffee table is, you might have a built-in dog bed and not even know it. Similar to the cathouse dresser drawer, this hack can be accomplished by taking blankets, towels, and pillows to fashion your own dog bed. Start by ensuring your buddy will fit on your coffee table’s lower shelf, accounting for the extra height your improvised dog-bed will add. Next, make the bed up and invite your furry companion in. If your pup is hesitant to change, try putting a few favorite toys inside their new bed to entice them. Chances are they’ll appreciate that their new spot is in the same room you like to relax.
With these hacks, hopefully you’ll be able to make your pet feel more at home and keep your apartment looking sharp. We know how important a pet is to you, and we know that balancing your living space with theirs is essential to your mutual happiness. If you’re looking for apartments in Boulder that allow pets, contact us to schedule a private showing of one of our pet-friendly rentals.
In the meantime, check out our pet policy, which is available online, or enjoy a photo tour of our beautiful Boulder apartment community.