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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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