INCORPORATING DOG BEDS INTO YOUR DÉCOR

For many families, the heart of the home is the living room, and unless you live in a mansion with rooms the size of football fields, your dog’s bed is going to be very much on view – not something that’s quietly out of sight. That’s why it pays to give some careful thought to your choice of a doggie bed. With a few simple steps you can find one that enhances the look of your living room – instead of clashing with it.

The biggest piece of furniture in most living rooms – and the most expensive to replace – is the couch. When selecting a new couch, the trick is to stick with neutral shades like cream, beige or greys – preferably a tone that matches your dog’s fur to hide any day-to-day shedding – and take your colour cues from there.

Dog beds are now available in a huge range of colours, patterns, and fabrics; the secret is to coordinate your dog’s bed into your overall colour scheme. If you go the neutral route for your couch, why not add splashes of colour with cushions that complement a brightly coloured doggie bed?

Some interior designers have even started to make or source curtains and throw pillows to expressly coordinate with pet beds. You can also tie your colour scheme together by painting walls a harmonising colour.

Looking for an inexpensive change? Try a slipcover on your couch that matches your dog’s bed. Not only do slipcovers protect your furniture from dirty paws and fur, but they’re available in a variety of sizes and finishes to help bring together your design vision.

Finally, keep in mind when you’re shopping for a doggie bed that those with a plush pile may look softer and more comfortable, but they’ll be much harder to keep clean – and can be a nightmare for allergy sufferers – than those with shorter piles.

Also, for beds with shorter piles, all you’ll need is a Dust Buster or even a lint roller to rid them of hair.