A Utility Room Designed for Dogs at Grand Designs Live 2026
We were delighted to bring The Incredible Dog Shower to Grand Designs Live at the NEC Birmingham from 2 to 4 October 2026. With a dog shower featured in the show house utility room and a busy exhibition stand of our own, we had plenty of opportunities to talk about something familiar to every dog owner: what happens when a lovely walk ends with very muddy paws.
Working with Clearly Interiors, we helped create a utility room that visitors could picture in their own homes. Laundry, storage and a dedicated dog washing area all had their place, showing how a little planning can make the daily routine easier for everyone.
A utility room with a place for muddy paws
The show house setting brought the idea to life. Our dog shower sat alongside deep green cabinetry, stacked laundry appliances and useful storage, with towels close by and a bed ready for a well-earned rest. It was a room designed around the practical things that happen in a home with dogs.
For visitors considering a utility room dog shower, seeing it as part of a finished room helped make the possibilities clearer. They could look at how the shower sat beside the cupboards, where washing essentials could be kept and how the space might work after a wet walk.
We loved seeing people stop, take a closer look and start imagining the same setup for their own dogs. Some were planning a new build; others were rethinking a kitchen or utility room. The conversation often came back to finding a comfortable place to wash the dog while keeping the rest of the house cleaner.
Making dog washing part of the everyday routine
A utility room already works hard. It is where washing piles up, boots come off and the less tidy parts of family life are dealt with. Giving your dog a washing space here means muddy paws can be rinsed and towels kept within reach, without turning every clean-up into a trip through the house.
The same thinking can work for a boot room dog shower. Where the layout allows, having a wash area close to the door gives you somewhere to deal with mud before your dog heads for their favourite spot on the sofa.
At Grand Designs Live, the utility room showed how that practical purpose can sit comfortably alongside the finishes and storage you have chosen for your home. Dog care deserves a place in the plan, just as laundry and coat storage do.
Meeting homeowners and the people designing their homes
Over on our stand, we welcomed homeowners, kitchen companies, architects, builders and renovators. It was lovely to hear about the projects taking shape and to talk through how a dog shower could fit into each one.
Many conversations focused on planning: where the shower would go, how it would sit alongside cabinetry and when to involve the kitchen designer, builder and plumber. Getting those people talking early helps the dog washing area become part of the overall room layout.
The show also gave us the chance to make new connections across the interiors world. We came away with ideas for future collaborations and plenty of encouragement from people who want homes to work better for the dogs who share them.
A memorable moment with Kevin McCloud
One of the highlights was meeting Kevin McCloud. He stopped to speak with Rebecca and described The Incredible Dog Shower as a great product. It was a lovely moment for the team, and one we will remember from a very busy show.
Thank you for helping us bring the room to life
A huge thank you to Clearly Interiors and the design and installation teams who helped create the utility room. Seeing the finished space, and the interest it attracted, made all the work behind it worthwhile.
We are also grateful to the Grand Designs Live team at Media 10, with a special thank you to Steven Tabbron for his enthusiasm and practical help in making it happen.
And to everyone who visited our stand, looked around the show house or stopped to tell us about their dog, thank you. Those conversations are always one of our favourite parts of being at a show.
Planning a dog shower in your own home
If our Grand Designs Live utility room has given you ideas, start by thinking about your own post-walk routine. Where do you come into the house? Where could your dog be washed and dried? And where would you keep the towels?
Bring your designer and plumber into the conversation early so they can consider the space, hot and cold water supplies and drainage together. This helps you plan a dog washing station that works with the rest of the room.
Take a look at our dog showers for your project, or find a showroom if you would like to see one in person. You can also get in touch with our team to talk through your plans. We would love to hear about your home and the dog you are designing it for.
