Dogs have always been part of the family, but they're increasingly becoming part of great design, too. From bespoke feeding stations and built-in, stylish dog beds to thoughtfully chosen fabrics, durable flooring, and dedicated mudrooms, homeowners and designers alike are finding stylish ways to create spaces that work just as well for four-legged family members as they do for the humans who live among them.
Welcome to A Dog Lives Here, our weekly celebration of homes designed with dogs in mind. Each installment spotlights a beautiful canine corner, clever pet-friendly feature, or a dog-proof design detail – whether it's a custom nook to snuggle up in or a luxury dog wash, these spaces prove that practical pet design and beautiful interiors can go hand in hand.
And in our experience, every house feels more like home when a dog lives there.
'Mind the Splash Zone'
Some dogs sip politely. Kobe, an Instagram-famous Basset Hound, prefers a more... enthusiastic approach. Knowing his impressive talent for sending water in every direction, Lindsay from Cornerstone Design & Build created a dedicated quartz feeding station tucked into the pantry, giving plenty of room for the 'canine king' to slurp without soaking the rest of the kitchen. Sometimes the smartest design decision is accepting that the dog was always going to win.
'Come On In, The Water's Fine'
This isn't just a utility room – it's a luxury dog spa. Some furry friends get a quick rinse with the garden hose. More pampered pooches get their own freestanding tub. This thoughtfully designed wash station keeps muddy paws firmly contained, while the built-in crate below offers a cozy place to dry off before rejoining the rest of the household. Designer Kelsey Leigh says the secret is weaving these details seamlessly into the home rather than treating them as an afterthought. Safe to say this pup's post-walk routine is considerably nicer than ours.
'This Is My Happy Place'
Everyone needs somewhere to escape family life – even the dog. Here, designer Laura Stephens created a bespoke bed complete with a curtain that can be drawn for a little peace and quiet for Lulu after an exhausting day of looking like butter wouldn't melt. Laura believes the best pet-friendly designs 'balance practicality with beauty' and judging by this cozy little hideaway, we'd say Lulu got the most stylish spot in the house. Room service, sadly, is not included.
'Well, They Aren't Going to Fill Themselves'
This homeowner proudly admits who's really in charge. Here, the dogs have their own built-in dining room, complete with dedicated storage for everything from kibble to leads. 'With dogs as the focus of life at this house, it seemed only natural to create a space specifically for them,' says designer Emily Winters of Peabody's. Raised bowls make mealtimes a little easier and tidier, while a marble countertop and mosaic backsplash suggest the family dogs have developed rather expensive tastes to match their owners. Safe to say dinner is taken very seriously in this house.
'I Have Expensive Taste...'
Basil may not have been part of the original design brief, but that certainly hasn't stopped him from acting like he was. Shortly after moving in, he decided a freshly hung stretch of Soane wallpaper was worth a taste test before appointing himself permanent overseer of the best seat in this gorgeously layered living room. Emma Sherlock says the real secret to designing with dogs in mind isn't precious finishes, but a hardworking boot room complete with built-in beds for when your furry friend needs their own space. Think of it as damage limitation for the rest of the house (sofas included).
'I'll Let Myself Out'
Forget chic dog beds – this fluffy resident has already found the best seat in the house. While designer Lea Schein cleverly chose fabrics that disguise the inevitable tumblewood of white fur, it's the cool stone floors that have become Maverick's destination of choice for an afternoon snooze. He's only walked into the glass doors once, which we'd call an impressive record.
'Be a Dear and Hurry Along with My Waffle Towel'
The Dog Room from London’s WOW!house 2025 proves that even the 'back of house' can live its best life. As Sims Hilditch Studio Lead Christina Bull puts it, it’s where high design meets high maintenance – because yes, your dog now has a dedicated water station, a proper tap, and a tiled wash zone for post-mudfield emergencies. It's muddy paws meet spa treatment, all grounded by a brick herringbone floor, so timeless it probably judges your muddy Labrador a little less than it should.
'Excuse Me? I Ordered Sparkling Water'
In one recent project designed by House of Hive, the dog bowls were officially upgraded from ‘floor accessory’ to full kitchen resident, designer Kailee Blalock explains. Rather than being tucked away like a guilty secret, the feeding station was fully embedded into the design with tile, intention, and the confidence of a feature that absolutely belongs there. The tiled backsplash isn’t just for aesthetics either. It’s there to handle the inevitable splash zone, especially when a Husky is involved, a breed known for treating a water bowl like it’s a personal splash park.
'My Coat as Inspiration for the Color Scheme? De Rigueur'
A stylish dog needs a stylish surrounding, and in this project, designer Hollie Velten-Lattrell of SPACES by Hollie Velten noted her client's furry friend had a favorite spot right in front of the window. Of course, the layout therefore needed to be based around this, with the sofa under the window providing the perfect perch for the girl of the house. Even the window treatments were considered, so the shades could be open during the day and closed when it was finally time to settle down.
'What the...? You Said It Was Going to Be a Double Tub'
Muddy paws be gone with a dog shower as chic as your own in the ideal spot for a spa treatment as soon as they walk into the house. Sherrell Neal of Sherrell Design Studio let 'the materials do the work with sealed stone, glazed tile, and painted cabinetry, all of which hold up beautifully while still feeling refined'.
'I Think Maroon Might Really Be My Color, Darling'
Forget squeezing a dog bed into the corner of the utility room – these pups have permanent bedrooms built right into the cabinetry. Equal parts practical and charming, the bespoke sleeping nooks free up valuable floor space while making the dogs feel like fully fledged members of the household (as if they needed any more encouragement). It's a win-win, according to Neptune's Design Director, Fred Horlock, who explains that the darker-painted cabinetry cleverly disguises muddy paw prints. These four-legged friends might have landed the comfiest spot in the house.
'No, I Am Not Going to Chew Up That Pillow As Soon As You Leave the House'
Dogs don't tend to worry about preserving your pristine floorboards, so the secret is choosing materials that don't mind a little wear, either. Instead of chasing perfection, designer Kara Childress embraces reclaimed wood and antique stone – finishes that are designed to mellow, soften, and collect character over time. After all, as Kara says, a few muddy paw prints and the odd scratch aren't flaws to hide; they're just evidence of a house that's being properly lived in.
'Okay, We Can Pretend I Am Not Getting Straight in Your King Bed'
Every dog owner knows the post-walk journey home doesn't end at the front door. There's the lead to hang up, the muddy paws to contend with, and your raincoat to dry. This mudroom by Kelly Deck has thought of it all, with clever storage solutions and textiles that camouflage the inevitable dirt – 'even though we all know that the pups aren't supposed to be on the bench' – woven so seamlessly into the joinery you'd almost miss they're designed with the dogs in mind.
'No One Puts Baby in the Corner'
A dog's favorite place is usually wherever everyone else happens to be, so it makes perfect sense to give them a front-row seat to family life. This bespoke nook transforms an underused alcove into a cozy retreat, allowing the family dog, Heidi, to stay close to the action without taking over the living room floor. By building the bed into the joinery, designer Laura Stephens ensures it feels like an 'intentional part of the architecture' – because if the dog is going to spend all day following you anyway, they might as well do it in style.
'Welcome Home! And No, It Wasn't Me Who Ate the Defrosting Chicken...'
Every street has a self-appointed neighborhood watch (mine included), and in this Toronto home, it's a dog called Walter. Rather than disrupting his daily routine, the renovation was carefully designed around it, ensuring he could keep an eye on every passing dog walker, delivery driver, and friendly neighbor from the comfort of his own custom-built window seat. As Lindsay Thornton of Cornerstone Design & Build explains, Walter's favorite perch was considered so important that it was written into the renovation plans from the very beginning – 'complete with custom cushions, so he could still maintain his neighborly vigilance.'
'So Where Are You Going to Sit Then?'
Dogs have a habit of choosing the nicest seat in the house, so you might as well make sure it's upholstered in the right fabric. Here, a durable linen and forgiving mid-tone color help disguise muddy paw prints, while the skirted sofa cleverly conceals 'a multitude of sins at paw level while still looking beautiful.' Jodie Hazlewood from The House Upstairs knows exactly which fabrics earn top place in a dog-friendly home. The teeny tiny Roy Dandy clearly approves.
A Dog Lives Here is the Homes & Gardens series showcasing beautifully designed homes where dogs are considered from the very beginning of the design process. Each week, we step inside a stylish home to spotlight one clever idea, chic pet space, or thoughtful design detail that proves great interiors can be created for every member of the household – paws included.
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