Doggone Beautiful: Home decor ideas for dog owners
Decorating your home means choosing furniture, putting up artwork, painting, choosing flooring and more. All of these choices reveal something about your personality and personal taste. But what if you are the dedicated owner of a dog? You may be worried about the damage your furry friend can do to furniture, carpets and other things in your home. The answer is pet-friendly decorating. Check out ten decorative ideas that are perfect for dog owners.
Wear repositionable rugs
Instead of getting traditional wall-to-wall carpets for your home, think about repositionable carpets. These can easily be removed and cleaned if your dog has an accident or falls ill on an area of the floor. Also, if you can’t clean the stain, you can order a replacement plate instead of tearing up a lot of wall-to-wall carpet. The best thing about carpets is that you have different styles, patterns and solid colors to choose from. You will surely find carpets that flow with the vision you have for your living room, bedroom, dining room, finished basement etc.
Ceramic tiles for your kitchen
Do you keep your dog’s food and water bowls in the kitchen? Even if you don’t, your dog is likely to spend a lot of time in the kitchen watching you cook, prepare snacks and load the dishwasher. Ceramic tiles are a great choice if you have a dog as the material resists scratches from your pet nails. This is a positive alternative to getting another type of flooring and fighting off your dog. Also, it is a cool area to nap if your dog likes to take breaks during the day. Ceramic tiles are available in many designs in both light and dark colors. You can even get ceramic tiles designed to look like wooden planks! For extra interest you can put down a small mat or a mat with a picture of your dog on. Use it to stand on when washing dishes or place it under your dog’s bowls.
Choose your mat with your dog’s coat in mind
If you want a wall-to-wall rug in your house, think about your dog’s coat when choosing color. For example, if you have a chocolate lab, dark brown or navy mat may be best. Any hair that your dog drops on the mat will not be so obvious.
Incorporate a pet bed in the decor
If you want your dog to stay away from your furniture, give it your own space. You can join a traditional bedding with a pillow to put in an area of the room. You need to take some time to train your dog to go to the pet dunes when it enters the room. If you want to go with a more exciting design for your dog bed, there are many styles available that look like miniature furniture!
Think of versatile furniture covers
If you don’t mind your dog using your chairs and sofas, be sure to invest in some furniture covers. These are inexpensive and come in many colors and styles. They are made to put over chairs, armchairs and sofas so that your dog can sit on the furniture without touching its fabric. They can be removed and washed easily. One of the best pet-friendly bedroom ideas is to put a furniture cover over the foot of the bed where your dog can nap during the day. When it comes to dog-related homebuilding, furniture covers of all shapes and sizes give your pet the freedom to relax while keeping sofas and chairs in good condition.
Artwork with a dog theme
Some of the best ideas for dog decorations can come to life on the walls of your bedroom, living room or guest room. A collection of framed pictures of your dog is a traditional favorite of many pet owners. But why not go with something more unique? For example, ask a local painter to create a watercolor for your dog based on a favorite photo. Or find some of your favorite photos of your dog and create a collage with them in the shape of a dog bone or a heart. Attach collagen to a French memo board or even a canvas from the local craft store. Another idea is to take a favorite picture of your dog and find an online art store that enlarges it and puts it on a canvas. It’s sure to get your friends’ attention when they find it hanging on your wall.
Choose tables with curved edges
If you have a large active dog such as a Dalmatian, Doberman or German Shepherd, then go with tables that have curved edges. For example, get a round wooden coffee table or an oval dining table. So when your big dog enters the room it will not be damaged if it hits one of the tables in your living room or dining room. You can have elegant tables in your home decor without worrying about damaging your active dog.
Choose Attractive enhancements for your décor
Creating a dog theme decor is easy with the help of some extra added around the room. For example, buy a blanket decorated with pictures of your dog and drape it over the back of your living room sofa. You can use it to keep your feet warm while watching TV and it adds pizzazz to the room. Another idea is to set up a dog theme wallpaper in your bathroom. Place the wallpaper on just one wall so that it differs from the other three solid walls. Throwing pillows with pictures of dogs is also a nice touch on a bed in the guest room or bedroom.
An attractive curio cabinet for breakable items
If you have dog-related homebuilding such as tiles, glass figures and other knick knacks that have dogs, you need a safe place to keep them. Avoid putting them on end tables or low shelves where your dog can hit them. Instead, get a curio cabinet so you can protect your breakable items while admiring them through the glass doors.
A dog-friendly entrance
When you and your dog come through the front door after a walk in the rain, you want your pet to have a chance to clean their feet before entering the main area of your home. So it’s a good idea to cover ceramic tiles in your entrance. Also paint the walls of your entrance with paint that is easy to clean. If your dog shakes after entering your home, you can simply wipe down the walls to clear away the sprayed mud. Install some hooks on the wall for your coat, dog leash and other items.
Finally, with some planning, you can create a decor that you, your family and your beloved dog enjoy!
About the author:
Olivia Harper is the founder of the blog Daily Dog Stuff. She is a reserved and passionate pet parent who loves to spend time with her Sibe which keeps her active and social. See more of her guides and tips by visiting the blog or following their Facebook page @dailydogstuff.
