Dog-Friendly Interior Design-According to LiLu Interiors
Dog-friendly Interior Design with Intention
Thinking through how you will live with your dog in your home is key to loving your dog fully. If your home fully supports all your pet's needs and is easy for you to maintain both you and your dog will be happier.
Start by thinking through all the things your dog will need to be happy on a daily basis. Include these on your list
A place to sleep
A way to be near you
A spot to eat and drink
A place for their grooming equipment
A place for their walking and outdoor necessities
These are the basics. If you plan to have these designed into your home at the point of use, right where they are most convenient for your dog the ease and enjoyment of daily life with your dog will be a great reward.
Check out this Post on integrating your dog's bed into your interior in a pleasing way.
Choose the Right Fabrics
Many dogs are truly one of the family and they are right in the mix at all times. Sitting with you while you watch television, sleeping in your bedroom, hanging out with you while you work. Wherever you are, your dog wants to be nearby. To make sure you feel comfortable with having your dog right by your side, chose fabrics and materials that are:
Stain-resistant
Won’t be damaged by dog’s nails
Match your dog’s fur
At LiLu Interiors we specialize in knowing all the best new fabrics and finishes for designing pet and family-friendly homes and can guide you in making selections that are fully supportive of you and your dog's lifestyle.
Follow these simple tips for dog-friendly interior design and you will find having your dog hang out by your side enjoyable and hassle-free.
DOG-FRIENDLY DESIGN FOR SANDIE
According to LiLu, when designing a new space, you should always consider how space is actually used and the needs of everyone who uses it. Sometimes that means creating a dog-friendly interior design.
We designed this space for a client and her two daughters. And perhaps most importantly, we designed the space for their adorable dog, Sandie. When we first met Sandie, it became immediately apparent, that she's in charge! We knew she would use the furniture just as much as anybody else, so we took the necessary precautions.
Here is Sandie's doggy bed where we did a cushion cover in outdoor fabric. The doggy bed is tall enough so she can get herself up close to the window and see out. But Sandie doesn't just perch on her doggy bed....
Stain Resistant Fabrics are Dog-Friendly
She sits on all the furniture. So we put stain-resistant finishes on all the fabrics. And she even likes to get on top of the coffee table. A slightly distressed finish was the best choice here. Small scratches will just blend in. A great tip for a dog-friendly interior design!
She took an immediate liking to this little footstool we designed. Stain-resistant finish here too!
Bringing Intention Home
For more than a decade, LiLu Interiors has been designing intentional living environments that reflect the singular values and needs, lifestyle, and aesthetics of each individual client. With care, joy, and trust, we’ll creatively collaborate with you to design a home that uniquely expresses who you are and how you live. Intentional design, no matter the style, requires thoughtful attention to detail and deliberate choices.
Let’s make life better. Let’s bring your intentions home.
2 May, 2020 at 5:58 pm
I have a 70 pound lab mix who likes to sit on the back of our chair to stare out the window. In the meantime, he has damaged the leather quite a bit. We did purchase a pet cover for the chair, but we are thinking of new furniture and would like Boomer to have a safe place to see out the picture window that’s not a piece of our furniture. Any suggestions? (Our picture window is approximately 4 feet from the floor.)
2 May, 2020 at 8:01 pm
I have noticed that a number of makers on Etsy have elevated dog beds with steps. I think that would be a good solution to safe your furnishings and could be comfortable for your dog.
5 September, 2020 at 6:40 am
Hi Lisa ~ I loved the tip in this post about using slightly distressed surfaces wherever there are pets. Thanks for that! I had never thought of it. And you did such an adorable job on that little stool!
5 September, 2020 at 8:18 am
As a dog lover, I really enjoyed this post! If we love our pets like family members (which most of us do) then it only makes sense to consider them when designing our homes.
5 September, 2020 at 10:38 am
Such great tips Lisa! Our dogs do often run our homes – okay, maybe that’s just mine!
5 September, 2020 at 10:45 am
All excellent tips and great design solutions that take into account the WHOLE family and make life easier for everyone! (Sandie is adorable and obviously has great taste! She looks so perfect on that GREAT custom footstool!)
5 September, 2020 at 11:11 am
Pets are part of the family. Designing with their needs in mind makes sense!
5 September, 2020 at 12:15 pm
A lifelong dog-inclusive family, you bring out excellent points for homeowners to consider. In our home, I too put stain and seal and moisture barrier finishes on our furniture for this exact reason. When you think about it, our pets often spend more time in our homes than we do so it is definitely wise to include them in the design planning. You always create such beautiful interiors!!
5 September, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Great tips Lisa, on designing around our dogs! Why didn’t I think of using outdoor fabrics before for my doggy? Thanks for sharing.
5 September, 2020 at 3:32 pm
Wonderful tips and I think these would work for cat lovers too. Love your model:)
5 September, 2020 at 7:49 pm
This is such a timely post for me as my kids have been BEGGING me for a dog for years and I have finally said YES! :)
7 September, 2020 at 11:37 am
This is a great post, Lisa. While we don’t own a dog, we certainly get our share of babysitting a couple of dogs.