We’re so fortunate to be able to share our lives, and our homes, with our dogs. However, we often forget about the effects our decorating decisions can have on our pets – which is why we’re here to help! Discover our pet-friendly decorating advice:
Colours
Some of the colour combinations we use while decorating our homes can create a less-than-relaxing environment for our furry best friends.
Catrin gives her advice on the best dog-friendly colours to use in your home:
“For a canine-friendly colour scheme, look to incorporate bursts of bright blues and yellows throughout your home. Especially consider this when choosing dog-specific accessories, such as their food bowl and toys, so they can easily see, appreciate and engage with these objects.
The one colour we suggest avoiding in your home if decorating with your pooch in mind is red. To your dog, red will appear a dull dark brownish-grey or even black – and won’t add the vivid ‘pop of colour’ to your home that you hope for.
It’s also good to keep in mind the colours which are indistinguishable to your dog – shades of orange and green will all look like varying shades of yellow, while purple and violets become hues of blue.
While dogs are unable to distinguish certain colours from one another, it is believed that their vision is more attuned to contrasts.
A monochromatic colour scheme may be pleasing to the human eye but buying all your furniture, soft furnishings and accessories in one shade may make it harder for your dog to discern objects from one another.
Instead, play with pairing sharp contrasting colours together. To keep this visually appealing for yourself, as well as your dog, decorate with colours on opposite sides of the colour wheel to maintain balance.”
Canine-friendly Christmas colours
Those who celebrate wintertime festivities are more than likely to decorate their homes with a host of Christmassy colours – most of which aren’t featured for the rest of the year. During the festive season, however, decorating our homes might have an impact on our pets.
Lighting
Cats might get all the credit for being able to see in the dark, but your pooch’s night vision is pretty good, too!
Thanks to the way light is reflected into their eyes, your dog’s vision is excellent in dim light. However, here’s what top designer, Marlena Kaminska of ValueLights, has to say about your pet’s preferred lighting situation:
Textures
Your dog’s perspective on texture may not be something you considered while decorating your home. In case you’d like to provide the ulti-mutt canine-friendly experience throughout your home, Catrin suggests:
“Outside of the world of colour, your decor can be made much more interesting to your pup through what they can feel. Incorporating various textures throughout your home can enhance how they experience the space.
