If you own a dog or are considering owning a dog, but feel like your dreams of a beautiful home have to be put on hold, I’m here to tell you can have both.  Dogs and decorating do go together. But, I haven’t always felt that way.

I didn’t want a dog. My husband wanted a dog.  We went back and forth for years.  Finally, we settled on a compromise.  I could get a claw foot tub and he could get a dog.  A fair trade, in my book.

He researched and researched, he visited a breeder several hours away, he figured out how to pay for her, he had his friend bring his dog over so I could see how fun it was, he went through hundreds of names. . .  it was getting ridiculous. The whole time, I kept thinking of all the horror stories people told me about owning a dog.

I knew she would destroy everything, run away, eat the couch, poop everywhere, cry all night, shed, have fleas and smell like a dog.  She would have her toys everywhere and have astronomical vet bills.  She would loose patience with the kids and growl at them, she would . . . oh, my gosh, my blood pressure is rising as I type.

But, a deal’s a deal.  So, one day, my husband drove for many hours to pick up a sleepy Rhodesian Ridgeback  puppy and we, of course, fell in love.

Since that day, she has become one of the family and her simple transparency and loyalty warms our hearts every day.

Dogs are called “man’s best friend” for a reason and the fact that they are frequently used for therapy speaks volumes.

I wanted to share some of the tricks we have learned to prevent the clutter and protect our floors and furniture, now that we are legit dog owners.

*This post contains some affiliate links to products I know or love.*

Dogs and Decorating

• Furniture-
  • The first line of defense would be to select a breed that “doesn’t shed”, although, in my experience all dogs shed at least a little.
  • Next, try to teach your dog not get on the furniture.  Some of our furniture is off limits and some is not.
  • But, for the furniture I allow lounging on, they are either 1) made of leather or microfiber or 2) are covered with a throw blanket or slipcover that I have sprayed with scotch guard.
  • For quick clean up I will first use our little shop vac and then finish up with Costco baby wipes.

• Floors–
  • Wood- Our floors are original fir from 1906 and I am a little protective of them.  The main reason dogs scratch the floors is to prevent themselves from slipping.  You can buy special stickers with texture on them to stick to your dog’s paws so they don’t slip, but I have not found a good brand. The best thing is to keep their nails trimmed so they can’t scratch the floors as easily.
  • Carpet and Rugs-  “Kids and Pets” is my favorite cleaning product for pet accidents.
• Dog Items–
  • Just make sure they match my decorating and I am happy.
  •  Food and Water Bowls- we like to put the bowls in urns.

Ballard Designs

Etsy

• All the things– choose items that match your decor or put them in a bag or basket. Here is ours.

Etsy

Etsy

• Beds– either let them have a piece of furniture that is theirs or find a stylish dog bed.  Our dog likes these two child size tufted chairs for her bed.

Ballard Designs

Pottery Barn

OH and by the way, I got my claw foot tub.

And that stuff I said earlier about having a dog- she does shed a little, even though her breed is “not supposed to” and she likes to go outside in the middle of the night. The rest of my fears have been unfounded.

So, let me just publically confess

I WAS Wrong!

Related Posts

How to Paint Leather Furniture

How to Slipcover a Recliner

Five Tips for Decorating with Children

How to Refinish Old Wood Stairs

Pin These Dogs & Decorating Tips for Later:SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave