Fun Houzz: If Dogs Designed Homes...
Many of us share our place with a dog or two, but what if we allowed them to design the interior, too?
Dogs don’t automatically slot into a home – they need to be accommodated. We buy beds for them, dedicate space for their food bowls and toys, and generally make them feel at home. But what if that were not enough? If the dogs took charge and were able to design a house from a purely canine perspective, what style details might they incorporate?
Here, a selection of design-savvy hounds give their tips on creating the perfect pooch-friendly home…
Here, a selection of design-savvy hounds give their tips on creating the perfect pooch-friendly home…
Build a large hallway
Also known as ‘shake space’. This area of the house is essential after a wet walk. We dogs need to come in and immediately shake, so a good-sized area like this one rather than a narrow hallway is preferable. A fine art backdrop is not strictly necessary, but hey, it’s a nice detail!
Also known as ‘shake space’. This area of the house is essential after a wet walk. We dogs need to come in and immediately shake, so a good-sized area like this one rather than a narrow hallway is preferable. A fine art backdrop is not strictly necessary, but hey, it’s a nice detail!
Don’t forget doggy décor
Any pattern, so long as it’s poochy. I love this monochrome doggy wallpaper. You can’t beat black and white, ask any Dalmatian! Humans stick up family photos and portraits of themselves; this is my equivalent.
Any pattern, so long as it’s poochy. I love this monochrome doggy wallpaper. You can’t beat black and white, ask any Dalmatian! Humans stick up family photos and portraits of themselves; this is my equivalent.
Do incorporate a well-designed bed
Look, we two are likely to be sleeping for up to 16 hours a day, so we need a really good bed. It could be built in, like this one, or freestanding. It should have smooth, washable covers and a deep, soft base. A few scatter cushions wouldn’t go amiss, either. And a blanket…
Look, we two are likely to be sleeping for up to 16 hours a day, so we need a really good bed. It could be built in, like this one, or freestanding. It should have smooth, washable covers and a deep, soft base. A few scatter cushions wouldn’t go amiss, either. And a blanket…
Factor in room to exercise
I love a romp, so I need to work in some running space. Open-plan rooms work for me and really long corridors are ideal for fun with a ball. Think of them as the doggy equivalent of a private gym. Laying carpet or runners is important, though, to avoid skidding on sleek surfaces when I’m going at top speed.
I love a romp, so I need to work in some running space. Open-plan rooms work for me and really long corridors are ideal for fun with a ball. Think of them as the doggy equivalent of a private gym. Laying carpet or runners is important, though, to avoid skidding on sleek surfaces when I’m going at top speed.
Provide sofas and armchairs
Yes, I have a dedicated bed, but thanks to years of living with humans, I have developed a taste for their seating, too. So I would add into the mix an armchair and sofa. It doesn’t have to be a designer piece, but then again, why be mediocre?
12 discerning dogs pick their favourite seat on Houzz
Yes, I have a dedicated bed, but thanks to years of living with humans, I have developed a taste for their seating, too. So I would add into the mix an armchair and sofa. It doesn’t have to be a designer piece, but then again, why be mediocre?
12 discerning dogs pick their favourite seat on Houzz
Ban cats
Obviously! A dog-designed home is feline-free. The cats in this photo are just leaving. We sent them away. That’s how it should be. Bye!
Obviously! A dog-designed home is feline-free. The cats in this photo are just leaving. We sent them away. That’s how it should be. Bye!
Choose a glass front door
This is a sensible step that helps us to guard the home more effectively. With a glass front door, not only can we hear the postman approaching, we can see him, too! The low, easy-to-access letterbox is another nice touch and makes mail snatching possible for any size of dog.
This is a sensible step that helps us to guard the home more effectively. With a glass front door, not only can we hear the postman approaching, we can see him, too! The low, easy-to-access letterbox is another nice touch and makes mail snatching possible for any size of dog.
Say yes to en-suite facilities
I know I shouldn’t lie in muddy puddles, but sometimes the urge becomes too great. That doesn’t mean I find being sloshed off with a bucket in the garden an acceptable way to clean up, though. In my dream home, I’d design en-suite facilities, with an indoor shower that had hot and cold water, installed with simple, won’t-date white tiling. There would also be a pile of fluffy, 100% cotton towels on hand. Not much to ask, is it?
Check out how to protect your home from messy pets
I know I shouldn’t lie in muddy puddles, but sometimes the urge becomes too great. That doesn’t mean I find being sloshed off with a bucket in the garden an acceptable way to clean up, though. In my dream home, I’d design en-suite facilities, with an indoor shower that had hot and cold water, installed with simple, won’t-date white tiling. There would also be a pile of fluffy, 100% cotton towels on hand. Not much to ask, is it?
Check out how to protect your home from messy pets
Facilitate access to snacks
Kitchen worktops and dining tables can be annoyingly high for us dogs. If we had our way, they would be much lower, allowing for easy grazing and opportunistic dinner nicking. Food should be stored in open drawers and cupboards, too, for a dog ‘buffet’ effect.
TELL US…
Can you imagine what other style adjustments your dog would make to your home, given the chance? Please share them in the Comments below.
Kitchen worktops and dining tables can be annoyingly high for us dogs. If we had our way, they would be much lower, allowing for easy grazing and opportunistic dinner nicking. Food should be stored in open drawers and cupboards, too, for a dog ‘buffet’ effect.
TELL US…
Can you imagine what other style adjustments your dog would make to your home, given the chance? Please share them in the Comments below.
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Humans are obsessed with cleanliness, so they adore hard floors they can sweep clean. But try lying on one! No, I need something softer under-paw. At the very least, that means rugs to take the edge off those hard boards. Carpet and sheepskins work, too, but I’d also factor in one room with a tiled floor, for hot days when only cool ceramic next to your fur will do.