Cat and Dog Home Decor

by Giorgina Devereaux

If you are ready to step it up and revamp your pet’s room, there are many lovely decorative items and furniture that are available. 
 

Dogs and cats vary in their needs because as you know, cats are independent and require the use of a litter box while dogs rely on their owners to allow them outside or take them for a walk to relieve themselves. 

If you don’t know where to begin when it comes to decorating your dog or cat’s room, here are some ideas to help you on your way:

Choose the Paint Color(s) for Fido & Friskie’s Room:  If you have a designated room for your pet and don’t like the existing paint, a good choice is to find a color that is soothing. 

A great color is blue.  It is considered a cool color and has a calming effect that aids in sleeping.  If blue doesn’t feel feminine enough for your pooch or kitty, consider combining pink and blue colors in a striped pattern (or a combination of other colors). 

You can also add motifs via stenciling or vinyl lettering on the wall or hang wood lettering (i.e. "Princess").  This adds a personal touch of beauty to the room. 

Add a Mural or Decorative Wallpaper:  Another cute idea for cat and dog home decor is to add a mural or decorative wallpaper to the walls.

You can find a mural artist through a company called Find A Muralist, and together, you can come up with a fabulous wall mural design that will enhance the look of your pet’s room. 

Wallpaper is available in many different animal themes and colors.  These will definitely give your pet’s room the "wow" factor.

Furniture for Fido:  Pet room furniture for your sweet Fido is available in many styles. 

Beds:  There are gorgeous, plush, and comfortable dog beds that are machine washable. 

If you prefer to contain your pet during the evening hours, an attractive den with a mahogany wooden enclosure is available. 

It’s stylish and will look elegant in your pet’s room. 

Other beds for dog home decor include:

• sleigh beds

• canopy beds

• corner beds

• car-shaped beds

• dog lounges

• dog couches

• donut beds

• fleece beds

• dog chaises

• suede beds

• thermo beds

• multi-colored beds

• memory foam beds. 

The choices for dog home decor are endless.
 

Pet Stairs:  If you prefer that your pooch sleep with you, but your bed sits up too high and your dog is small, elderly, or has orthopedic needs, then consider investing in indoor pet stairs. 

You can find them upholstered in carpet, faux mink, or sheep sheering, which will blend in nicely with your bedroom flooring. 

Not only are these pet stairs handy for the bedroom, but you can also use them to give your dog easy access to the couch and your car.  Some are sturdy enough to support up to 45 pounds and are lightweight, which makes them portable. 

Armoire:  Having a place to store all of those gorgeous doggie clothes is important.  There’s a beautifully designed armoire that is made out of solid wood that is the perfect furniture piece for storing all of your dog’s clothing and fashion accessories within convenient reach.  Not only is it lovely, it’s also functional. 
 

Fancy Dog House:  If your dog loves to relax outdoors and he/she needs a comfortable and cozy shelter, you may want to consider a fancy dog house. 

They come in different styles, such as a log house with a porch, a house painted in fun ice cream colors, a house that resembles a stable, a mansion, and a barn. 

If you have two dogs, you may want to consider a duplex dog house. 

However, if you prefer to bring the outdoors inside, then consider a wooden indoor dog house with a bed.  This is a nice way to give your dog’s room an extra splash of luxury. 

Having a dog house is a fabulous way to provide comfort and shade for your pooch while dressing up your outdoor dog home decor.

Furniture for Friskie:  For cats, there is a multitude of comfortable cat condos sure to please the kitty.  Some are bigger than others and it all depends on your kitty’s needs and the amount of space you have to work with in the room. 

If you prefer that your kitty remain active, by giving them a combo kitty condo, they will have more room to spread out and get a lot of exercise.

Cat Condos:  Finding the right cat condo involves knowing what specific purpose you want the condo to serve. 

You can find cat condos in the following sizes: 

-less than 60”
-61”-70”
-71”-75”
-76”+ 

If you have a dual purpose in mind, such as wanting your kitty to have a comfortable place to sleep and a place to play, then a bungalow cat climber, a cat gym, or a cat tree is perfect. 

These have enclosed spacious sleeping quarters that come in, for instance, a faux fur where your kitty can rest, and a few platforms where your kitty can perch and lounge.  Adding a dangling mouse and rope toy will further help keep your kitty stay engaged and active.

These condos offer your kitty plenty of climbing, hiding, and jumping opportunities.  The scratching post is also an added bonus. 

You can select from condos that have a hammock, cradle, and multiple platforms and sleeping compartments, which can be used by several cats at once. 

There are many different carpeted condos to choose from and they come in an assortment of colors.  They even have cat condos that have a leopard, zebra, and purple tiger print pattern. 

If you prefer a cat condo that looks more outdoorsy, consider a cat tree condo made from cedar or one that has a rustic look.

Cat Tent:  If you are not interested in an elaborate cat condo and want something lightweight and portable, then this is a great alternative. 

Cat tents fold flat and can be easily stored.  They come in different colors, sizes, shapes, and most have a hanging mouse to stimulate playtime.  Most cat tents are manufactured from nylon and polyester material. 

Cat Beds:  Cat beds are available in different colors and shapes, with some resembling a sofa, only in a miniature version and it is the perfect place for snoozing. 

In some cat beds, the slipcover is machine washable and the interior material of the bed consists of fire-retardant foam. 

Other beds have fabric that is stain-repellant and easy to clean. 

Cat Houses:  There is an assortment of cat houses to choose from.  They vary in color, style, and size. 

Some have a lounging deck above the house while others have a porch and a removable vinyl door barrier that helps keep the heat in and cold weather out in winter months.  These houses provide shelter from the sun, cold, and moisture to give your kitty maximum comfort.

Litter Box Furniture:  Amazingly, decorative cat litter boxes are available. 

You can find them in a variety of finishes and models and you’ll even be able to match your existing furniture.  Furthermore, you have a choice of one door cabinets for small to medium size cats or two door cabinets for large or multiple cats.

The great thing is that you can also customize your litter box furniture piece with hand carved, stained glass doors, a tile mosaic or turquoise inlay pattern.

Another fabulous feature is that these cabinets offer two entry/exit routes. 

This aids in helping keep the litter box odor free while giving your kitty a sense of security knowing that an escape route is accessible. 

If you have fears that your cat may injure itself while jumping into and out of the litter box, then consider getting matching cat stairs that you can position next to the entry/exit of the litter box.

If you are concerned about urine and odors penetrating the cabinet, then worry no more because the litter boxes are waterproofed and sealed inside and out. 

Clean-up is simple because the front doors enable the litter pan to slide out and the cabinets contain a bag compartment where you can store your litter box scooper and other cleaning/odor repellent products. 

A wooden ledge over the pan aids in keeping litter inside the pan after your kitty relieves himself/herself.  Many of these litter boxes have a shelf for storing litter and accessories. 

This litter box furniture is aesthetically pleasing and looks appropriate in almost any room. 

Petcessorize Fido & Friskie’s Room           

Wall Art:  Art is another way to personalize your cat and dog home decor.  You can have a professional photographer take a black and white or colored photo of your pet and place it inside a nice frame or have a canvas painting of your pet done. 

If that’s too fancy and doesn’t fit your budget, you can take your own pictures and have them enlarged.  There are many beautiful frames to choose from and finding one won’t be difficult. 

Picture Frame(s):  There are beautiful picture frames with dog or cat themes to choose from, which further enhance your photo.  Some frames feature bones, paw prints, and “Bow wow” or “Meow” on the frame, just to name a few. 

To help complete the look of your cat and dog home decor, frame that treasured photo of your kitty or pooch in one of these decorative frames.

Wall Accessories:  Some wall accessories to consider include a wall shelf that has a paw print, leash, and food dish as its design. 

A wall shelf is ideal for keeping your pet items organized. 

It provides an excellent surface for storing toys, treats, and a grooming brush while the hooks are perfect for hanging a leash, harness, or doggie coat. 

Other ideas include hanging a clock with a cat or dog home decor theme, displaying switch plate covers and outlet covers with a dog or a cat theme painted on it. 

The switch plate covers and outlet covers are available in a single or double switch.

Lastly, colorful wall stairs and wall cubes are something that can be mounted on the wall for your kitty. 

The stairs are a great way for them to get exercise and will keep them busy for hours because they love going up and down the stairs while the wall cubes offer a wonderful place for your kitty to lounge.

Lighting:  Lighting is available with a dog or cat theme.  This is a pretty way to dress up your cat and dog home decor while ensuring that they have proper lighting.

You may also want to consider a night light to help save on energy.  Night lights are available in stained glass with a dog or cat design and others feature a dog or cat picture. 

This will ensure that your pet has some lighting in their room so that if they become thirsty at night or need to eat, they have a source of lighting. 

Plus, if your kitty needs to relieve himself/herself and your dog wants to move around the room, they won’t stumble in the dark. 

Window Treatments:  Valances and curtains are available in a dog or cat pattern and they come in a variety of colors.  If you prefer to opt for solid colors in curtains or valances, or other window treatments, such as, cellular shades, mini blinds, or shutters, then those will look beautiful as well. 

There are many colors to choose from in these window treatments and finding ones that will coordinate with the other colors in your room should not be difficult. 

You may also want to consider blackout shades for your kitty’s room since cats like the dark factor.  Incorporating window treatments will definitely add so much to your pet’s room and will help tie all the elements together.

 

On a Personal Note

Never limit your decorating prowess to just your family.  Pets are family too, and they provide an excellent opportunity to enhance your home with uniquely special cat and dog decorative items that will enrich their lives, wow your guests, and add yet another dimension of beauty to your living space.

I'm the proud owner of a toy poodle.  She brings us so much joy, and in return, I put a lot of thought and care into decorating her bedroom.  It's a lot of fun and provides me with a sense of pride when I tuck her in every night.

However, raising a dog can be challenging.  If you've got a new puppy, or are thinking of getting a dog (your local agencies always have precious animals needing adoption and love), please check out a very helpful resource called Puppy Care 101.  It's a complete, thorough, user-friendly guide to caring for your puppy. 

If you want to raise a happy, healthy puppy, please do take advantage of this resource.  It's got mountains of free information, tips, and advice on choosing a puppy, naming it, feeding it, grooming it, potty training it, and training it for overall optimal behavior.  They love puppies over there at Puppy Care 101, and boy how I wish we knew about them before we got our dog!