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CREATING A DOG-FRIENDLY HOME: A TOP REALTOR’S GUIDE

December 2, 2024

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Santa Barbara is known for its love of dogs, with pet-friendly beaches, trails, and an overall dog-loving community. If you’re a dog owner and a homeowner here, creating a dog-friendly home is not just a luxury—it's a necessity. Homeowners are working with interior designers and builders to include thoughtful, pet-centric amenities like feeding stations, cozy nooks, custom showers, and storage solutions. Here's how you can design the perfect space for your four-legged family member in your Santa Barbara home.

A woman in denim jeans itting on a blue velvet couch with a Cocker Spaniel on her lap.
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Designing the Perfect Dog Space in Your Santa Barbara Home

Gone are the days when a dog’s corner consisted of a simple crate and a food bowl hastily tucked into an out-of-the-way spot. Today’s discerning dog owners, especially those living in upscale communities in and around Santa Barbara, are reimagining what it means to share their home with their four-legged family members. Modern pet-friendly design goes beyond practicality, embracing the idea that dogs are integral members of the household and deserve spaces that reflect their cherished place in the family; something I’ve always believed.

In response to this growing demand, designers and architects are creating a dog-friendly home with sophisticated, permanent spaces for pets that seamlessly integrate into the home’s overall aesthetic. These aren’t just functional areas—they’re thoughtfully designed havens that align with the homeowner’s lifestyle while meeting their pet’s needs. From custom cabinetry with built-in feeding stations to stylish, built-in nooks for cozy dog beds, these spaces are as elegant as they are practical.

This trend enhances the comfort of the family dog while elevating the home itself, blending luxury living with the love of pets. For homeowners in Santa Barbara’s high-end communities, these tailored spaces are becoming as much a statement of their love for their pets as they reflect their commitment to beautiful, functional design.

Options range from built-in furniture-style gates to islands with built-in dog beds and wall niches hiding canine water fountains. Some homeowners are even creating dedicated dog rooms. Personalization is key, and custom features like whirlpools for aging dogs or outdoor showers for pups who love Santa Barbara’s beaches are becoming must-haves.

An Australian Shepherd dog in a custom crate that is also a table.
Image by Susan Hartzler

Creating a Private Hideaway

Dogs are natural den animals, instinctively drawn to small, safe spaces. A private hideaway can provide your pet with a sanctuary where it feels comfortable and secure. Consider using an underutilized area of your home, such as under the stairs or a nook in the living room. For a stylish yet practical approach, consider furniture that serves a dual purpose, such as the side table pictured above that also functions as a dog crate.

A woman wearing blue denim in her kitchen feeding her dog at a pull-out, built in dog feeding station in a drawer.
Image by Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry

Dog Den in the Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and for many dog owners, it’s also the perfect place to integrate a pet space. Built-in dog beds beneath kitchen islands are becoming popular. These tucked-away spots allow your dog to be close to the action without being underfoot.

Incorporating pull-out storage for food, leashes, and toys keeps things organized and out of sight. You can even add a pull-out drawer for a feeding station, making mealtime easy while maintaining the kitchen’s clean aesthetic. Another option is a built-in water fountain. Installing it in a wall niche eliminates the risk of tripping over water bowls while keeping your pup hydrated.

A shaggy dog sitting in an at dog-sized tub/shower in a custom home grooming station.
Image by Homesmith Design

Clean and Tidy: Pet Washing Stations and Durable Materials

Santa Barbara’s outdoor lifestyle often means muddy paws and sandy fur. When creating a dog-friendly home consider adding a pet washing station to keep your home clean and your pet happy. Pet washing stations can be as simple as a shower area in the laundry room or as elaborate as a spa-like tub with hydrotherapy jets for older dogs. Don’t forget to invest in durable, pet-resistant materials for furniture and flooring. Consider fully washable rugs like those from Ruggable, which are both stylish and practical.

A wet Australian Shepherd sitting in a shallow backyard pool.
Image by Susan Hartzler

Designing the Dream Backyard

A thoughtfully designed outdoor space is as essential for your dog’s well-being as the interiors of your home. In sunny Santa Barbara, where the climate is ideal for outdoor living, a dog-friendly backyard can provide a safe and enjoyable environment for exploring, playing, and relaxing.

Start by making safety a priority. Secure the yard with fencing that keeps your dog contained while complementing your home’s aesthetic. Make sure all the plants in your backyard are dog-safe.

Shade is crucial for your dog’s comfort and health, especially in warmer climates. Planting trees or installing a shade structure, such as a pergola, will protect your pet from the sun's rays, helping to prevent dehydration or heatstroke. Next, design meandering pathways with paw-friendly materials like smooth pebbles, flagstones, or cool concrete. This will allow your dog to roam comfortably without discomfort to its paws.

Finally, add a refreshing water feature to complete your dog’s dream spot. A built-in doggy water fountain offers a steady supply of clean water, while a small pool or splash area can provide endless entertainment on hot days. Even a dedicated doggie step in your pool, like the one pictured above, can transform a hot day into a paw-some oasis.

Giving Back to Your Furry Friend

Our dogs shower us with unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship every single day. They greet us at the door with wagging tails, comfort us during tough times, and bring us endless joy.

These thoughtful touches can significantly improve your dog’s quality of life. They benefit your dog and enhance your home, proving that pet-friendly design can be both functional and beautiful.


Are you considering creating a dog-friendly home in a new location? A special place for yourself and your four-legged family member(s) in any of Santa Barbara’s upscale communities? Then consider contacting me at (805) 886-9378 or at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. I will happily add your listing to my portfolio of fine homes in the area and find your new dream home with plenty of space for Fido or Fifi.


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“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch