Did you know that 45% of American households own at least one dog? We are a nation that loves our fur babies, for sure. I have so many clients who want their pets to feel just as welcome in their homes as any other family member, so I’m constantly on the lookout for clever ideas for dog-friendly design. Here are my top 4 tips for having a gorgeous home that works well for your pets, too!

1. Choose the Right Fabrics

Most people will say they don’t want dogs on the furniture, but we all know that is rarely what happens. To avoid having to worry if Fido is sleeping on the sofa, you just need to select the right fabrics. There are so many stunning performance fabrics that also look and feel luxe, so this is an easy solution. And for clients with cats, I always say they should stay away from boucle. That texture is just too tempting for their paws and claws.

2. Treat Them Right

Unfortunately accidents do happen. And with dogs that often means spills (or other things) hitting the floors. Be sure your rugs have been treated correctly so stains won’t stick! Most accidents on treated rugs will come up with a bit of water and soap, without a hint left behind that anything went wrong.

3. Bathing Beauties

Dogs spend a lot of time outside, so of course they occasionally need a clean up themselves. I like to design showers and baths that work just as well for Fido as for my clients. In the home above, we created a walk-in shower with an extra-long shower nozzle to make bathing easy. And we kept the tile on the lower half of the bathroom walls to avoid any water damage on the walls.

4. Clever Solutions

Other great ideas include dog doors that do not look like big plastic flaps! In the house I designed above, the easy-entry dutch door swings open with a gentle push, and allows the dog to see who might be coming the other way, too. You can also consider hidden dog bowls in the kitchen, leash and crate storage, and more! There are so many ways to keep your home looking chic and fun, no matter how many dogs you have.

Warmly,

Beth