6 fun ideas for your dog's house design

Kayla Gulec Kayla Gulec
Loaf's 2015 Collections, Loaf Loaf Classic style bedroom
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Owning a dog is one of the best feelings in the world. A dog is always happy to see you, will play with you any time of the day, offers great companionship, and gives you unconditional love. So why not give back to the little guy that has offered you so much happiness throughout the years?

Dog lovers rejoice at any opportunity to provide their pets with something special. One of the most special things you can do for your dog is to buy or build their very own dog house! If you have been planning this for your loved one but were not sure where to start, here is your chance! This Ideabook was created for you – the dog lover. Today, we are going to give you six design ideas for your dog's house. After reading this Ideabook and implementing some of these tips, we guarantee your dog will love you even more than he already does. So let's get to it!

Choosing materials

Step one when designing a dog house is to first think about the materials you are going to use when building it – or to think about the material you would like it to be made out of if you choose to buy a dog house in a hardware store. 

Wooden dog houses are always a great choice. They are classy when given a smooth and shiny finish, or rugged when left raw, meaning a wooden dog house is very versatile and can match any home design scheme. Wooden dog houses are also incredibly durable and can take quite the beating – so keep that in mind if you have a larger dog. Another material option is plastic. These are naturally cheaper than the wooden ones, but aren't as sturdy. 

Where to place it

The second step is figuring out where you are going to put the dog house once you have assembled or purchased it. Outdoor dog houses are great treats for your pet for a few reasons – they have a nice shady spot to cool down in during the hot summer months, they provide protection against rain and snow, and the structure itself protects the inside from harsh winds and the debris it carries. 

Setting up your dog house indoors is also a great idea. When the house is inside, you don't have to worry about the elements destroying it, and your dog can stay at an even temperature, no matter what the weather is like outside. You can put your dog house in the common area of the home, so that your pet can always be with you and the family, or you can place it in private quarters in the bedroom, so your dog can have his own little bed to lie in while you lie in yours.

Colour scheme

The colour scheme of your dog house can be an overlooked step in this process, but we advise that you take some time to think about it. If you decide to place your dog house outside, a cute thing to do would be to make your dog's house a small replica of yours, in that it matches with your home's exterior colour. But if you decide to place your dog house inside, consider matching the house with the colour of the room. 

In an all white room, an off-white or cream coloured dog house would match very nicely. If your home is in the modern or minimalist style, we recommend neutral colours. But there is also no harm in painting your dog house a crazy or bold colour to make it stand out. These types of paint jobs work best in eclectic interiors.

Recycle old fabrics

Now that you've figured out which material your dog's house will be made out of and which colour it will be, it's time to think about what will go inside this mini manor. Recycling old fabrics comes in handy here. If you have an old blanket that you don't use anymore, or one that has been ripped or just does not match with your decor anymore, your new dog house is the perfect place to put these old rags! 

You can go for the do it yourself project and fashion a dog sleeping bag by sewing up two or three ends to make a pouch for your pooch, or you can simply place the blanket inside for added cushioning. Either way, your pup will be ecstatic at the opportunity to lay down on this cosy blanket. 

Minimalist or classic design?

As we have said before, if you decide to place your dog's new house inside of your home, it should match the interior. For the minimalist look, make sure the exterior of your dog house is plain – use neutral colours and do not pick a house design that is loaded with intricate carvings, as this will throw off the vibe of the rest of the room. 

With a classic interior, however, you can go as ornate as you want. Some hardware and pet stores sell elaborately embellished dog houses – at a costly price, mind you – but these dog houses would match perfectly with the rest of the Victorian theme you have going on. The colour scheme for the classic design is also more forgiving. Although neutral colours are encouraged, so are soft pastels, like purples, pinks, or blues. 

Bed and pillows

Top Dog Mattress Loaf Classic style bedroom

For the piece de resistance, you might want to consider adding a small bed and some pillows to your new dog house. Dogs and other animals need cushioned support just like we do to avoid the aches and pains associated with sleeping on hard materials, so this is an important step. Even if you don't want to invest in a bed, you should definitely add some pillows for your dog's comfort. 

Believe it or not, this image here is of a dog mattress! You would not believe what you can find on the market when it comes to over the top pet accessories. Of course, we are not suggesting that you buy something so huge, as it probably won't fit in your dog house, but know that dog mattresses are out there, and just like bedding meant for humans, dog bedding comes in all kinds of styles. 

If you liked this Ideabook, but don't own a dog, you should check out these cat-friendly ideas for your home!

What ideas do you have for a delightful dog house design? Let us know in the comments section below!

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