Stimuli

For many dog owners their precious pooches are part of the family. They couldn’t imagine their lives without them. Having a dog means that you have an exuberant welcoming committee every time you come home. It means that you will always have someone who will listen to you and depending on the dog, probably an eager exercise buddy as well. They are faithful companions that bring much joy into our lives. That said, having a dog also means you have to deal with fur, dirty paw prints, unsightly chew toys and occasionally, slobber. Still, dogs have a place in our hearts and our homes so we might as well live together with style. Celebrate the bond between you and your pet by spoiling yourself with aesthetically pleasing dog accessories that won’t detract from the style of your home.

If you don’t like the idea of a dog bed in your living space or you are just short on space, you could buy a multi-functional dog bed that doubles as an end table for you. There are many different styles available. If you want to save a little money you could make one yourself by repurposing and up-cycling an old end table from a second hand store. Maybe you have a larger dog that just wouldn’t fit in an end table-sized dog house? Someone has already found a solution to that. There’s a media bench/dog bed on the market that is perfect for the larger breeds. If you don’t want to disguise the dog’s bed, there are, of course, great dog pillows/beds to be found at all the pet supply and big box stores. Shopping online opens up a world of possibilities that are really spectacular and unique.  

If you are not lucky enough to have a mudroom or large laundry room where you can feed your dog, your dog dishes are probably in the kitchen. You should splurge on dishes that you find visually pleasing. After all, they are something you use daily and are constantly in your field of vision. As with dog beds and houses, designers have come up with some really beautiful options.   

As dog owners we also have to store the leashes and sometime dog coats too. What to do with the leashes and rain coats? If you don’t have a mudroom these things are usually stored in the entry way somewhere. Having a designated spot for these items will keep you happy because things will be neat and organized and more importantly, handy at all times. There are inexpensive closet organizers that hang from the rod and are a perfect place to store leashes, bags and the gloves, hats or scarves that you need when you take them out for their walk. One of the best tips I can pass on for after your walk is to have a nice basket outside the door filled with dog towels so that you can give your pet a good wipe down. Drying them off and removing most of the dirt from their paws before they get inside will save you a lot of frustration.
Having beautiful dog accessories in your home, an organized system for the essentials and an easy clean up plan makes owning a dog even more of a joy!

by Christian Kristensen
Stimuli Magazine Contributor

Photo Credits:
Top image: dogs-cats.wikia.com
Middle image: furniturefashion.com
Bottom image: kaboodle.com