10 Smart & Creative Ideas for Homes with Dogs
I was chatting with Jordan, my right hand at Tuesday Made, yesterday about dogs. You know I adore dogs! She recently got the cutest saint bernard puppy (I can’t tell you how excited I am for “bring your dog to work” days), and we started talking about design compromises you make once you bring a dog into your home. While our furry family members are one thousand percent worth it, I do think it takes some creativity to figure out how our homes can evolve to meet their needs- in terms of functionality, while maintaining a tolerable aesthetic. I thought it would be fun to share some smart and creative home ideas for those of you who have dogs. Click through for cute puppies and some cool concepts!
#1 // Install a Pot Filler Above a Water Bowl
Sometimes it’s the simple concepts that make the biggest difference in terms of function. We’re definitely planning to install a pot filler above the dogs’ water bowl when it comes time to renovate our laundry room. We loved having one above our espresso machine in our previous kitchen and I’ll forever be a fan of the time and spills it saves. Smart & simple!
#2 // Consider a Built-in Crate
If your dog is crate trained and requires a crate for their safety and comfort, I much prefer the look of something built-in or custom, as opposed to the wire options you find at big box stores. It feels more intentional, is less noticeable, and can be built to meet the exact needs of your dog. We did this in our previous laundry room (pictured above) and it worked so well for us!
#3 // Buy or Build Dog-Friendly Furniture
Kim & Scott constructed a dog day bed with storage beneath it, in the corner of their room. I’m all about choosing materials that are dog friendly for our home, so the pups can lounge as they please. This also saves us from having to buy a dog bed for multiple rooms. They know what furniture they’re allowed on, and what is off limits… but let’s be real- pretty much nothing is off limits for our two.
#4 // Create Designated Storage for Dog Food
I bought these bins from the Container Store years ago (then added name decals after-the-fact), and they’re still what we use to keep dog food fresh and easily accessible. I like having a specific cabinet for dog food, treats, and pet medications. I’ve also seen people install a hidden pull-out trash bin cabinet, and fill what would be the trash bin with dog food. I think that’s a very clever and convenient idea, as long as you can find a lid that seals!
#5 // Install a Dog Bath
#6 // Turn Wasted Negative Space Into Functional Dog Space
Do you have a closet or area beneath a staircase with wasted space? I love seeing people turn these odd areas into space for their dog. Whether it’s a built-in bed, a tiny room with a small door, or just a nook for their dog to feel safe & cozy, I adore these charming vignettes and excellent use of otherwise wasted square footage.
#7 // Think Outside the Box (or Standard Rectangle) When It Comes to Dog Doors
Is this not the most beautiful doggie door you’ve ever seen? I love how it perfectly blends with the door itself. Get creative with materials, scale, use of space, and function when it comes to pet access from the backyard to your home. This feels like an excellent and stylized solution. There are some neat ideas floating around out there!
#8 // Install Built-In Dishes
Since we were just talking about use of space and negative space, I love seeing the built-in dishes and feeding station inset within a kitchen island or cabinetry. This intentional integration feels like a continuation of the kitchen- but for your pet. It’s a thoughtful way to install dishes or bowls without taking up previous space in the floor plan. Bonus points if your dog gets matching countertop material- how beautiful is that stone?!
#9 // Corral All Dog Items in A Designated Cabinet
I love the idea of having a large, designated cabinet for all of our dog items: leashes, toys, gear, travel & camping items, first aid, etc. Immediately after getting our first dog, I realized just how many dog things we quickly accumulated. We currently keep everything in a couple cabinets in our laundry room, but having a larger cabinet that holds everything would be ideal! I’m guessing that would be much easier to organize than cramming everything into a smaller cabinet.
#10 // Insert Your Dog-Loving Personality Into Your Home
Dog people are the best people. If you love dogs, I’ll probably love you. Ha! Honestly, I enjoy sprinkling artwork, decor, and books throughout our home that pay homage to our love for dogs. Sometimes I take it quite literally (like when I painted their portraits), and other times I’ll pickup a vintage brass dog sculpture, antique book on dog training, or find a piece of art that resembles our dogs that have since crossed the rainbow bridge. All of these pieces have meaning and insert personality into our home. They tell our story and show our love for our current and past pets.
For more ideas, I usually save anything dog / home related on this Pinterest board. I think you might also enjoy this ‘Must Love Dogs’ Pinterest Board I created. I’ve also covered quite a few dog related posts here on the blog. I’ll link them below if you’re interested in additional reading material…
- Family & Pet Friendly Sofas
- 10 Tips for Helping Your Dog Through A Renovation or Remodel
- Amazon Finds : Dog Beds
- Murphy Dog Bed DIY
- Best of Etsy : Vintage Dog Portraits
- Grain Free Dog Treats
- DIY Pedestal Dog Feeders
- Real Life : The Dog Towel
- A Special Humane Society Makeover
- The Story Behind My Dog Portraits
- Some Favorite Dog Finds
- An Easy Dog Grid Gallery Wall (+ Free Art)
- Grain Free Mini Dog Cakes
Now- who would like to see Jordan’s adorable (not so small) saint bernard pup?! I’ll see if I can convince her to share. I’d also love to hear things you’ve changed or installed at home thanks to your dog! Did you enjoy scrolling through some of these ideas? I hope they got your wheels turning, if you’re a pet owner or plan to bring a furry family member home in the future. Happy Tuesday!