11 Reasons Why We Love Pinterest’s New Barkitecture Trend
You think you're spoiling Fluffy with a doghouse or cat condo, but there are other ways to make him feel like part of the family. See how some designers are taking pet-friendly design to new extremes.
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American pet owners spent over $103 billion on their animal family members in 2020, and our furry companions have enjoyed more attention than perhaps ever before in the two years since the Covid-19 pandemic upended public and home life. Sooner or later, new pet trends like barkitecture—or pet-centric design—were bound to happen.
There are only so many plush beds, squeaky footballs, catnip-filled fish, and organic artisanal biscuits a pet parent can purchase, and more ambitious pet products and furniture have arrived in the form of barkitecture. Thanks to Pinterest visionaries, we’re featuring an assortment of ingenious products below designed with our poodles and Persians in mind.
1. Barn Door Pet Feeding Station
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Conscientious pet owners have taken notice of the way so many traditional supplies are packaged or stored in plastic. Aside from the environmental impact of plastic, keeping kibble in large plastic bins can make some kitchens look cluttered or unsightly. Give those big, unwieldy bags and plastic totes the boot and streamline dinnertime with an attractive, farmhouse-chic cabinet.
This LakesideExpress pet feeding station features a pull-out “drawer” with space for two bowls, a tilt-out compartment for storing dry food, and three hooks for hanging scoop, dish towels, leashes, and so on.
Get the Barn Door Pet Feeding Station from LakesideExpress on Etsy for $159.99
2. Cat Spiral Staircase
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The kitty-obsessed artist and author known as SARK calls cats “angels with fur,” making this spiral set of steps more like a stairway to heaven. Watch your cute little cherub come up and down their very own spiral staircase, the steps of which are wide enough that they can stop for a quick grooming session (or even a catnap) along the way.
Constructed from birch plywood, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel, the cat spiral staircase by Catswall Design offers timeless Scandinavian beauty, while the stable base, steps, and wall anchor are a snap to set up.
Get the Catswall Cat Spiral Staircase on ShopMeoow for $949
3. Wooden Outdoor Cat Sanctuary
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You’ve probably heard of catios, but did you know that you can buy a catio kit? Now even DIY-averse cat lovers can erect a fresh-air structure for their felines without much trouble. This TRIXIE outdoor cat sanctuary works as a freestanding structure, but it can also be mounted to an exterior wall surrounding a window for easy cat access. It’s made from wood and heavy-duty mesh screening that’s impervious to even the sharpest claws.
Get the Trixie Wooden Outdoor Cat Sanctuary on Amazon for $461.99
4. Cabernet Wine Barrel Pet Bed
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If you’ve ever wondered what kind of wine your dog would drink—if your dog were human and over the age of 21—then BuddhaBarrels has the perfect pet bed for both of you. Wine barrels once used to age reds right in the heart of Napa Valley have been reclaimed and meticulously sanded for a surface as smooth as the finest Bordeaux finish. Rustic and refined, haute but approachable, just like many a fine vintage, this stylish snoozing spot can transform your space.
Get the BuddhaBarrels Cabernet Wine Barrel Pet Bed on Etsy for $199
5. Cabana for Dogs
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Elaborate outdoor living is now so ubiquitous that it’s really not a “trend” anymore. One reason? Our canine companions can easily join us when we entertain, and everyone benefits. Dogs love being outside, pet parents don’t need to excuse themselves to tend to their needs, and guests get to enjoy the company of a pup.
To amplify the cute factor of your outdoor living space, let your dog lounge in their very own cabana-themed bed. Clean lines, artfully draped mosquito netting, and a roof made from real reeds will allow your pet to live their best beach house life.
Get the Cabana for Dogs from PETSACE on Etsy, from $149
6. Silver Baroque Pet Bed
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Don’t listen to those people who frown on spoiled pets. If pampering your little prince or princess brings you joy, then why not fully embrace it with this over-the-top offering from DecorianDesign on Etsy? Almost certainly fancier than the bed you sleep in (unless you are Marie Antoinette), this baroque pet bed is carved from oak to make it as sturdy and durable as it is exquisite. It also boasts a quilted velvet mattress and matching padded headboard in your choice of eight rich jewel tones. You can even opt for personalized engraving!
Get the Silver Baroque Pet Bed from DecorianDesign on Etsy for $438
7. Macramé Cat Hammock
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Macramé is back! But did it ever really go out of style? Well, yes, but now it’s returned in all its boho glory with Macramebeautiful’s cat hammock. Of course, your cat won’t care that their bed looks like it belongs in Mary Richards’s apartment; they’ll simply enjoy the soft cushion and soothing swaying motion that lulls them into cozy naps.
Get the Macramé Cat Hammock from Macramebeautiful on Etsy, from $59.99
8. Mid-Century Modern Dog Sofa
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Midcentury modern is another design aesthetic that’s here to stay. If you aren’t super enthusiastic about bean-shaped tables, bottle-green cushions, starburst motifs, and Lucite chairs, try this sleek and chic pet bed from Tucker Murphy Pet, which features a clean rectangular shape, hairpin legs, and a low profile suitable for smaller dogs and most cats. The wood is acacia, the cushion is waterproof, and the bed lends a sense of subdued style to any room.
Get the Kaylor Mid Century Modern Dog Sofa on Wayfair for $87.84
9. Classic Pine 4-Step Ladder
catladder.com
Do cats love high places simply to look down on us inferior humans? Well, duh. But the desire to climb is also in their nature, as high vantage points provide better views of prey (birds, cat toys) and shelter from predators (coyotes, toddlers). Indulge your kitty’s superiority complex with this beautiful handcrafted piece from Cat Ladder. You can customize the ladder’s height, number of steps, step width, wood finish, and carpet. With these options, it becomes a complementary, durable addition to your home décor, unlike most ordinary cat trees.
Get the finished Classic Pine 4-Step Ladder at Cat Ladder, starting at $187
10. Modern Cat Tower and Bookcase
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People who think cats and books are the perfect combination will love Cat Matter’s beautiful bookcase-turned-cat-tower (or is it the other way around?). Display your most impressive volumes, or use the shelves for decorative—and ideally durable—tchotchkes. In the bookcase’s hidden interior areas, your kitty will be content to doze the day away behind the scenes.
Modern, modular, stackable, and customizable, this accent tower is a unique addition to any living room or home library. After all, if there’s any creature who truly embodies “main character energy,” it’s a cat.
Get the Modern Cat Tower and Bookcase from CatMatterCo on Etsy, starting at $575
11. Custom Dog Crate
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For the dog lover who simply won’t sacrifice style, a fully customized rustic dog crate from TheRusticForest is the only way to go. Depending on the bespoke features you choose and the space it’s destined to occupy, it can function as furniture or an architectural feature. Either way, the custom crate is sure to become a showpiece as well as a safe and cozy spot for your darling canine.
Available options include sliding barn doors or hinged steel mesh doors, butcher-block tops, custom inlays, exotic hardwoods, an add-on dog door, and many more possibilities.
Get the Rustic Dog Crate from TheRusticForest on Etsy, starting at $1,759.60
Prices listed here are accurate as of publication on February 28, 2022.
