Many backyard-dwelling dogs have to make a difficult choice between the kennel and the couch on cold nights. The kennel is warm, but the couch is closer to the house and smells like humans. There is something we can do to help! Introducing Kennel Couch, a line of modular outdoor furniture with a kennel add-on.
– What if outdoor furniture could serve more than one species?
– Duh, it already can, it’s called a “couch”!
Indeed, dogs love human furniture, so much so that they often neglect warmth and comfort of the kennel to sleep on whatever piece of furniture you have on the veranda.
No dog should face this dilemma! Enter the Kennel Couch.
The idea
I propose creating a range of modular outdoor furniture, with one of the available modules being a kennel. This way, a dog can socialise with humans and rest on the couch during the day, and at nightfall retreat into the warm kennel which is attached directly to the couch.
And those people who don’t have pets (or let their pets sleep inside the house) can enjoy other optional modules, such as extra seats or a coffee table.
Why
- This is a real need that exists in the community.
- It’s a low-risk investment – if designed well, the modular furniture can have good sales even if demand for the kennel module is low.
- Reputation boost for the company amid growing pet advocacy vibes around the world.
How
- If you’re a big company: very easy – just take an existing modular couch, design a stylistically compatible kennel module, and market it as a unique product reflecting the pet-friendly shift in modern society.
- If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an independent carpenter: less easy, but you can build bespoke versions and sell them for a premium price.
What it may look like
You can play around with the Blender model. It’s very basic, but can get you started if you’d like to do some prototyping.
Suggested features
- Insulated kennel walls (the idea is that it’s warmer than sleeping outside).
- A removable and replaceable door curtain (some dogs tend to tear them).
- Soft cushions (dogs love the comfort!)
- Hard-wearing, washable cushion covers (obviously).
- Waterproof kennel roof (veranda roofs are known to leak on occasion).
Feasibility study
A perfect platform for this product is IKEA’s NÄMMARÖ range. It includes simple and stylish wooden modules, including a seat base that can be used to mount a kennel. The base comes in two sizes: 63x63cm and 81x81cm, allowing for different sized dogs.
Images © IKEA:
- Small 2-seat sofa: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/naemmaroe-2-seat-modular-sofa-outdoor-light-brown-stained-s09579317/
- Small seat/kennel base: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/naemmaroe-seat-sec-for-modular-sofa-outdoor-light-brown-stained-00510351/
- Large 1-seat sofa (chair): https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/naemmaroe-modular-easy-chair-outdoor-light-brown-stained-s99611110/
- Large seat/kennel base: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/naemmaroe-seat-sec-for-modular-sofa-outdoor-light-brown-stained-60594550/
Next steps:
Build a kennel to fit a 63x63cm or 81x81cm base and pitch it to IKEA, or sell as an aftermarket option for IKEA’s product.
Submitted by: Ilia Leikin
Hashtags: #Dogs #Furniture #ModularDesign #OutdoorFurniture #Pets
Looking for: company to build the product
I can: help with prototyping and testing
Status: feasibility study ongoing
