10mm Glass Systems Target Pet-Friendly Boot Rooms with Premium Finishes
Product Launch
Shower enclosure specialist Merlyn has launched Velvet Paw, a new bespoke collection of dog showers, which aim to help retailers capitalise on the growing demand for pet-friendly home improvements. For interior designers and bathroom specifiers, the collection extends wet-area detailing into utility and boot rooms, bringing enclosure-grade glass and hardware to pet-grooming zones. Positioned as a high-value add-on, Velvet Paw is designed to bring quality materials into utility and boot rooms and provide a stylish solution for muddy paws and everyday grooming.
Specification and Sizing
Enclosures are made to order, with sizes available up to 1000mm width and 1000mm height. They are crafted from durable 10mm toughened safety glass and come in: Opti Clear, Satin Etched, Smoked Black and Bronze with a choice of profile finishes: Brushed Brass, Matt Black and Chrome. For joiners and bathroom fitters, 10mm toughened glass matches the structural spec of premium shower enclosures, allowing consistent detailing across primary and pet-use wet areas. Made-to-order dimensions support integration into custom boot-room joinery, under-stair spaces, and utility layouts where standard shower trays may not fit.
Material and Finish Palette
The rangeโs glass optionsโOpti Clear, Satin Etched, Smoked Black, and Bronzeโoffer designers control over privacy, light transmission, and color temperature in transitional spaces. Profile finishes in Brushed Brass, Matt Black, and Chrome align with tapware and ironmongery trends used in kitchens and main bathrooms, enabling a coordinated FF&E scheme. For hardworking utility rooms, Satin Etched glass helps conceal water spots and fur, while Bronze and Smoked Black add depth to monochrome schemes. The 10mm glass thickness supports frameless or minimal-frame detailing for easier cleaning and visual lightness.
Layout and MEP Integration
Merlyn says that Velvet Paw offers retailers and installers โan opportunity to drive incremental spend while tapping into a fast-growing lifestyle trend, helping customers create spaces that work just as hard for their pets as they do for themโ. For MEP and interior teams, dog showers require planning for floor waste location, hot and cold feeds, hand showers with flow control, and splash containment. Made-to-order sizing allows alignment with tiled plinths, low-threshold trays, or wet-room formers to manage water egress. Ventilation and waterproofing details should follow the same standards as secondary showers to prevent moisture migration into adjacent cabinetry.
Application in Home Design
Eileen Slattery, marketing director at Merlyn, said: โPet ownership is shaping how homes are designed. Velvet Paw gives retailers a simple way to offer something practical, premium and a little unexpected, while adding real value to the overall sale.โ For architects and interior designers, integrating a dedicated dog shower in boot rooms or utility zones reduces wear on main bathrooms and protects flooring in entry sequences. The enclosure becomes a design element alongside tall storage, bench seating, and dog-bed niches, supporting a cohesive plan for pet-inclusive living.
Retail and Specification Strategy
For KBB showrooms and bathroom retailers, Velvet Paw functions as an upsell during utility or secondary bathroom planning. The bespoke glass approach allows designers to match enclosure heights to wainscot, tile datums, or window sills, maintaining elevation continuity. Profile finishes coordinate with ironmongery schedules across the home, and the 10mm glass spec ensures durability against daily use. Installers can leverage standard wet-room detailing for trays, slopes, and tanking, simplifying site execution while delivering a premium, purpose-built zone.
Lifestyle and Maintenance
Dedicated pet showers streamline post-walk routines and contain mud, reducing cleaning load on primary spaces. For maintenance, toughened safety glass and minimal profiles allow quick wipe-downs, while Satin Etched or Smoked finishes mask smears between cleans. Designers can pair enclosures with wall-mounted hand showers, thermostatic mixers, and integrated storage niches for shampoos and towels. As pet-friendly planning becomes a client brief, enclosure-led solutions like Velvet Paw help elevate utility rooms from service-only zones to designed, durable extensions of the homeโs interior language.
Image Courtesy: KBB Focus
