Give Your Pets The Home They Deserve With This 2026 Outdoor Trend

Loving pet parents agree on a few things: Don't refer to your pet as "it", it's okay to like your animals more than humans, and those furry buddies are definitely family members and not property. Curated outdoor spaces for our beloved creatures are pinging on trendspotters' radar, and, frankly, it's hard to find a cuter fad. The "petio" phenomenon involves turning part of your outdoor area from simply a yard or a porch into an oasis for your cat or dog. Petios are places where they can rest, play, eat and drink, and just indulge in what makes them cats, dogs, or any other appreciated animal.

Spoiling pets has moved way beyond edible treats. Instead, gardens and yards are getting upgrades that enrich their pets' lives while keeping them safe and happy. Although the term "petio" has yet to take hold, landscape designers are taking to the socials with ways to add pet-friendly spaces to your yard. Additions include cozy nap spots, potty pads, ways to escape the weather, and play equipment galore. But it's pet-safe plants that take on the chore of making this trend aesthetically pleasing, too. The right plants that both pets and people will enjoy should be long-lasting, colorful, and safe for your furry friends to sniff and chew.

Some pet-friendly yard ideas are big-effort installations that don't necessarily lend themselves to human hangouts. The pet equivalents of jungle gyms and playhouses dominate some yards, with ambitious built-in agility courses made from old tires or screened-in areas outfitted with elaborate cat trees. But, designers note that you don't need to go big to make a pet-friendly garden space. A safe, soft mulch path that's gentle on paws can improve your furry friend's outdoor experience, as can pet-safe plants like rosemary, sage, lavender and basil. Creeping thyme, coral bells, and sunflowers are also all plants you and your dog will love. Renee Claremont of Second Nature Designs recommends "hardy plants" that can hold up to abuse, like non-toxic ornamental grasses. Zero Waste Store also suggests using clover instead of lawn grass, which can be more resistant to dog urine.

Outdoor water features that beautify the landscape can also give pets a place to cool off and drink. @TheIdeaDad on Instagram even built an outdoor dog wash station, while the parents of @Nicola_The_Greyhound installed a stainless steel water dish that can be hooked up to an outdoor hose. A stain-resistant indoor-outdoor rug also makes a great addition if you plan to incorporate feeding or drinking stations into your pet patio. Whether you choose to incorporate plants, pathways, water features, or all of the above, your dog or cat is sure to thank you for taking part in this animal-friendly outdoor design trend.