Just like people, dogs need a safe and comfortable space for a healthy and happy life.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways we can provide them with this. And most of them can be found on the subreddit 'Barkitecture' — members of this online community regularly post pictures of custom dog houses that are the epitome of modern pet living.
Whether we're talking about functional staircases or comfy beds, the residents of these units must be barking about their features to the whole neighborhood!
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Are Dog Ramps Acceptable?! My Friend’s Dog, Buddy, Doesn’t Do Stairs Well. So They Asked Me To Build Him A Ramp. Voilà!
Cozy Dog Cabin
One of the most famous barkitects, who really contributed to the boom of this trend, is Johnathan Lower.
In 2021, he, then a real estate agent in South Carolina, posted some old photos on TikTok that showed how he had turned a closet into a miniature home for his golden retriever, Teddy.
The post quickly racked up millions of views and Lower set out to build an even more elaborate indoor dog house for Teddy, this one including lights, wall decor, a miniature television, a faux fireplace, and a tiny magazine called 'Playdog.' ("I just did it because I'm extra," Lower said.)
I Was Told This Belonged Here. Made A Bunk Bed For My Dog And My Half Dog
A House vs. A Home
Deluxe Dog Door
The popularity of Teddy's custom doghouse helped Lower build a nearly 8-million-dollar following on TikTok alone and led to partnerships with brands like Petsmart, Subaru, and Hilton.
But whether it's the subreddit 'Barkitecture', TikTok, or other social media platforms, there are plenty of pet owners who are showcasing their own dog nooks. Lower said he had recently seen personal contractors and entire home construction companies offering under-stair dog houses.
Dogs Burgers
Doggo With A View
This Is Maya, Her Owner Built Her A Luxury Cabin So That People Passing By Can Say Hello
Fueled by these social media images, magazine spreads, and home renovation TV shows, people aren't afraid to invest their resources into one-of-a-kind homes for pets.
Some families are incorporating custom-built showers just for dogs into their entrances and laundry rooms so that muddy pups don't have to be rinsed off outside or in a human shower.
There are electronic pet doors that open only for the chip on a specific pet's collar, custom kennels built to blend into a room's decor, and pet feeding stations that come with water faucets that automatically fill the critter's bowl in the kitchen.
Built A Cozy Place For My Dog To Hang Out
I Was Recommended To Share My Doggy House With This Community! I Hope It Makes The Cut!
A Home Fit For A King
Chill Spot
While some barkitecture elements have been in use for a decade or more, according to Jennifer Pinto, an interior designer for Jackson Design and Remodeling, the trend saw a big boom during the pandemic.
"People were nesting at home and really viewing their spaces more as sanctuaries," Pinto told The Guardian. "A lot of people started hyper-focusing on their pets."
My Old Friend Needed A New Bed. So I Made Him One!
I know he appreciates the bed, but I hope he recognizes the unique design.
Spent Some Social Distancing Time Building Rufio A Mansion
Their Own Little Balcony
This is broken bones waiting to happen; you CANNOT expect a terrier to stay behind such a tiny railing if they see something they want to go after. They've got big dog protective instincts, and once they're focused in on something it's d*** the consequences!
Chicago Fire Dept Engine 115 Has This Doghouse. Originally Built For Bear (R.I.P.), It Is Now Frequented By Good Boy Jax When He Hangs Around Outside
Aww, RIP Bear. I'm sure he was much loved; I'm glad Jax is now there to help fill the void (and the house).
And the numbers are telling us that many aren't stopping.
For example, according to the American Pet Products Association's (APPA) 2022 State of the Industry data, that year total pet industry sales topped $136.8 billion, representing an increase of 10.8% from 2021.
Plus, about half of US pet owners now consider pets to be "as much a part of their family as a human member."
I Made A Two Story Dog House For My Mastiff. I Haven’t Even Painted Yet And She Loves It
Built This About 6 Years Ago For Our Dogs. Made From Logs On Our Land, 4 Feet Wide, 7 Feet Long And A Small Heat Lamp For The Winter
There are dogs who would refuse to go into your nice heated house and prefer to stay outside even in the cold. I don't know their correct name but the breed is made for herding and protect their sheeps or goats on their own. They have thick fur and also a thick undercoat that protects them from the cold.
Custom Doghome
Was Told To Post Here!
Lower, the dog influencer, and Teddy's owner, said that beneath the pet architecture trend, he sees a more profound social change: a decrease in the share of households with children and a continued rise in pet ownership. Particularly among younger Americans, Lower added, more people may feel that they can afford a pet than that they can afford having kids.
My Husky Sequoia Inspecting Her New House
Had To Bribe Him With Baby Carrots To Get In But He's Learning To Love It
Priorities
Someone Told Me This Would Be Appreciated Here!
Designed And Built A Dog House For The Pups With My Dad
Kennel I Made For My 5 Month Old GSD
I Am Not A Carpenter, But I Managed To Build This Indoor House For My Little Dog! And Now It's Christmas Ready And Decorated!
Meet Sammy And Her New House!
Doghouse Complete!
Made Mrs. Oakley A Hacienda. Now She Is Ready For The Long Wet Oregon Winter. (Let's Be Honest. Wife Gunna Have Her Inside Anyways)
I Built A Dog Bar For A Local Pub. Want To Give It A Name So Suggestions Welcome
First Doghouse
Beanie Is Already Loving Her Christmas Present!
My Good Boy Robin Chilling In The House I Made For Him (He Chews Some Parts Of It To Make An Artistic Statement)
That's a lot of paint in the grass.. bet the dog enjoys just scratching the hell outta those doors.
Built My Puppy A House Out Of Scrap Materials From A Job I Was Working At. I’m An Electrician Just Had To Buy Screws / Nails And Solar Lights!
I love the added window. Dogs' love to have a good view to the outside.
Weekend DIY
My Husband And I Built A Dog House Yesterday For Our 3 Heelers!
Dad Made A New Crib For The Pupper
There is this one girl on tiktok who has a whole house in her backyard for her dogs, she puts them to bed and wakes them up
In my world, my dog Magnum gets to live in the big house with the rest of the family.
In my world, my dog Magnum is part of the family and gets to live in the big house.
There is this one girl on tiktok who has a whole house in her backyard for her dogs, she puts them to bed and wakes them up
In my world, my dog Magnum gets to live in the big house with the rest of the family.
In my world, my dog Magnum is part of the family and gets to live in the big house.