5. Pretty and Pet-Friendly
Designer: Molly Robinson of Homoly Design + Build
Location: Westwood, Kansas
Homeowners’ request. “This room was thoughtfully designed with the homeowners’ two dogs and two cats in mind,” says designer Molly Robinson, who uses Houzz Pro software.
Special features. “A dedicated ‘cat condo’ includes a custom ramp, a designated litter box area and built-in ventilation to keep things fresh and functional,” Robinson says. “For the pups, there’s a cozy zone complete with a doggy door that provides easy access to the outdoors. The black-and-white checkered tile flooring, paired with bold wallpaper that extends across the walls and ceiling, injects a playful and whimsical energy into the space. The pattern creates visual interest and a sense of movement, making the room feel dynamic and full of personality.
“To ground the design and let those elements shine, we opted for neutral white cabinetry that adds a crisp, clean contrast without competing for attention. The result is a fun, stylish space that feels both fresh and thoughtfully balanced.”
Designer tip. “We designed the countertop to be slightly taller than standard height, which makes folding laundry more comfortable and ergonomic — no more hunching over,” Robinson says. “As a bonus, the added height also serves a practical purpose by keeping pet treats and other essentials out of reach of curious paws.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “One of the biggest ‘uh-oh’ moments came when we realized just how tricky it would be to incorporate all of the custom pet features and maintain a clean, functional layout for everyday use,” Robinson says. “Between the cat ramp, litter box ventilation, doggy access to the outdoors and still needing room for laundry tasks, it started to feel like we were designing three rooms in one. We reworked the cabinetry layout and decided to go fully custom, which gave us the flexibility to tuck away the pet zones in a way that felt intentional and integrated.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Designer: Molly Robinson of Homoly Design + Build
Location: Westwood, Kansas
Homeowners’ request. “This room was thoughtfully designed with the homeowners’ two dogs and two cats in mind,” says designer Molly Robinson, who uses Houzz Pro software.
Special features. “A dedicated ‘cat condo’ includes a custom ramp, a designated litter box area and built-in ventilation to keep things fresh and functional,” Robinson says. “For the pups, there’s a cozy zone complete with a doggy door that provides easy access to the outdoors. The black-and-white checkered tile flooring, paired with bold wallpaper that extends across the walls and ceiling, injects a playful and whimsical energy into the space. The pattern creates visual interest and a sense of movement, making the room feel dynamic and full of personality.
“To ground the design and let those elements shine, we opted for neutral white cabinetry that adds a crisp, clean contrast without competing for attention. The result is a fun, stylish space that feels both fresh and thoughtfully balanced.”
Designer tip. “We designed the countertop to be slightly taller than standard height, which makes folding laundry more comfortable and ergonomic — no more hunching over,” Robinson says. “As a bonus, the added height also serves a practical purpose by keeping pet treats and other essentials out of reach of curious paws.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “One of the biggest ‘uh-oh’ moments came when we realized just how tricky it would be to incorporate all of the custom pet features and maintain a clean, functional layout for everyday use,” Robinson says. “Between the cat ramp, litter box ventilation, doggy access to the outdoors and still needing room for laundry tasks, it started to feel like we were designing three rooms in one. We reworked the cabinetry layout and decided to go fully custom, which gave us the flexibility to tuck away the pet zones in a way that felt intentional and integrated.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics