Living · Living with a Dog
Living with a Dog stylish & cosy
A dog brings so much life into a home – warmth, loyalty, cheerful chaos. But dog hair on the sofa, a leash lying in the hallway, a basket that doesn't match the decor at all … every dog person knows this. And yet a lovely home and a four-legged housemate needn't be a contradiction at all. With a few clever touches, you can live stylishly and cosily with your dog. Here are my favourite ideas.
A home to feel good in · for you and your dog
1 · Beautiful, hard-wearing fabrics that can take a little wear
Half the secret lies in the fabric. For the sofa, cushions and blankets, choose materials that can take a little wear and can be washed – and are still lovely. A washable throw over the sofa protects the good upholstery and is fresh again in no time. That way your dog may snuggle without you wincing at every little hair.
Beautiful, hard-wearing fabrics in natural tones · even with little paw prints
2 · A dog spot that fits the home
The dog bed needn't be a colourful foreign object. Today there are beautiful woven baskets, cushions in quiet natural tones, small beds of linen or corduroy. Choose a dog spot whose colours match your decor – then it blends in harmoniously instead of standing out. Place it somewhere calm but not remote, so your dog can still be part of things.
A dog spot that blends in harmoniously
3 · Easy-care rugs & floors
Rugs make a home cosy – but with a dog they should also be practical. Flat-woven rugs, kilims or washable cotton rugs forgive paw prints and are easy to clean. For floors, oiled wood, tiles or wood-effect vinyl are uncomplicated. Choose natural tones and everyday life shows less.
4 · Pretty storage for the dog's things
Leash, toys, treats, brush – dog gear piles up quickly. A pretty basket in the corner, a small vintage box or a lovely row of hooks on the wall give everything a place. When the dog's things are tidily stowed away, the whole room instantly feels more orderly.
A fixed place for everything · the dog's things included
5 · Natural materials that forgive hair
Natural materials are your best friends with a dog. Linen, wool, wicker, wood and rattan are hard-wearing, age beautifully and hide dog hair better than smooth, dark surfaces. They suit country style wonderfully and make a home warm and cosy – without being delicate at all.
6 · A lookout spot by the window
Dogs love to watch the world. Create a cosy spot by the window for your darling – a flat cushion on a bench, a basket with a view outside. That way your dog has its own favourite place, and you may spare yourself the odd discussion about the sofa.
A cosy spot by the window · for daydreaming and watching
7 · Plants safe and lovely
Green plants bring every home to life, but not all of them are harmless to dogs. Take a moment to find out which plants are non-toxic, and place sensitive ones, or those that get curiously sniffed, a little higher – on a shelf or a chest of drawers. That way it stays green and lovely, without worry.
8 · A little mud zone by the entrance
After the walk comes the mud. A small “mud zone” right by the entrance makes everyday life easier: a lovely, absorbent doormat, a towel kept ready for paws, perhaps a hook for the leash. That way the dirt stays where it belongs – and your home stays cosily clean.
The entrance area · this is where the walk's mud stays
Five things for a home that suits you and your dog
If you don't know where to start – these five things make your home both lovely and practical with a dog.
- Washable blankets & covers · for carefree snuggling
- A dog spot in quiet natural tones · that matches your style
- An easy-care rug · that forgives paws
- A basket for leash & toys · for pretty order
- A doormat by the entrance · against muddy paws
Pick one point and simply start there – step by step, your home becomes a place for both of you.
“A home with a dog is perhaps never perfectly tidy – but it is warm, alive and full of love. And that is exactly what makes it cosy.”
You don't have to choose between a beautiful home and a happy dog – the two go together wonderfully. With washable fabrics, natural materials and a little order, you live stylishly and at ease with your four-legged friend. And in the end, it's your dog that turns a house into a real home.
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