THERE was a time when pets were pets. They had bowls and beds, and that was about it. Then something changed.

As Kristi Linauer, a Waco, Tex., interior decorator, put it: “Pets have become family members. We love them like children, so people are naturally drawn to anything that gives our pets a special place in our homes.”

For some animal lovers, that means not just buying aesthetically pleasing pet supplies, but creating their own animal-friendly design solutions to complement their human-centric décor.

Amy Britton, an interior designer who owns Artisan Kitchens in Osterville, Mass., on Cape Cod, said that more of her clients are asking her to include amenities for their pets as part of their renovations. One example is a kitchen island with alcoves for food and water dishes, drawers for leashes and treats, and roll-out storage bins to hold bulk kibble.