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15 Ideas for Designing the Cutest Dog Room

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From hidden bowls to dog wash stations, these design tricks for pups-only spaces are both functional and paws-itively adorable.

Photo: Alexandra Rowley. From: HGTV Magazine
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15 Ideas to Create a Dog Room in Your Home

A dog room is not only a cute getaway for your best friend, it's a place to pamper them, store all of their many essentials (one tennis ball just isn't enough), and to give them a space of their very own. Whether you're looking to transform a whole room, create a cozy pet-proof nook or disguise a crate, these dog room design ideas are both Fido- and human-approved.

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Photo: Sincerely Lindsay; Janis Nicolay
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Add an Elevated Bath Station

For her client with two huge dogs who love going on long hikes, designer Lindsay Quinn Levin of Sincerely, Lindsay Design Co. built a washing station that's the perfect height for the dogs to hop on and the humans to easily bathe them. "We paid special attention to ensure the tile was installed all the way up the walls and also incorporated a waterfall quartz countertop that runs from the counter straight down into the dog wash," said Lindsay. "By doing this, the surrounding walls and floor are fully protected from any spraying water." And any post-bath shakes.

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Photo: Jared Kuzia Photography. From: Kristina Crestin
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Make Your Kennel Easily Accessible

Kristina Crestin made her clients' extra-large mudroom both practical and pretty with saturated blue storage cubbies, durable slate tile floors and a dog crate nestled under a reclaimed wood top island. The island's open base means the kennel can easily be slid in and out for cleaning, while also making it feel as if it's part of the space and not an awkward eyesore.

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Photo: Anastasia Alkema. From: Copper Sky Design + Remodel
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Or Tuck It In a Corner

If floating a dog kennel in the middle of a room isn't exactly your thing or you don't have enough space, try including one in the bottom of a built-in, like Copper Sky Design and Remodel did in this charming blue drop zone. Grated cabinet doors make Fido's space extra airy, while a lock keeps him from getting into mischief while the humans are away.

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Photo: Creative tonic; Julie Soefer
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Maximize Every Inch

To ensure her client's furry friend always had a nearby spot to curl up, Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design came up with the idea for a desk with a dog bed niche. "We created two custom dog bed covers that can be changed when one is is in the wash," said Courtnay. "The whole cushion can also be removed so the area can be easily cleaned or the paint touched-up when it gets a little worn." The striped performance fabric is a fun addition to the room's vibrant pattern play.

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Photo: Studio M Interiors; Scott Amundson
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Make a Statement with Wallpaper

The features in a dog room don't all have to be practical. Some can be purely for looks, like this adorable dog breed wallpaper that creates a wow-factor as soon as you enter the home. "Knowing how much our clients cherish their little beasts, we thought it was an excellent use of the space," said Annie Graunke of Studio M Interiors. "The wallpaper was a great starting point for the design. The print was chosen to have maximum impact as a backdrop for the area."

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Photo: Poppy Shae; Leila Muller
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Create a Designated Room

If you have a spare spacious closet, consider turning it into your dog's very own bedroom like Leila Muller of Poppy Shae Designs did for her two pups. "I made sure to use fun colors but kept them muted so it would blend with the surrounding aesthetic, especially since this space doesn't have a door," said Leila. "I found these sweet puppy decals on Etsy that I knew would be perfect for the space and added them one by one until it was perfectly laid out." A plush rug and sweet rattan dog house provide cozy lounging spots.

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Photo: Holly Centurino/Threads Interiors; Robert Benson
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Divvy Up Crate Space

A client with three dogs required triple the amount of crates, so designer Holly Centurino of Threads Interiors came up with the idea for a set of extra-large built-in cabinets with three separate cubbies on the bottom that are just the right size for the pups. "We added cabinetry above the dog crates for ample storage for outdoor pool items as well as supplies for the dogs," said Holly. A soapstone sink doubles as a place for gardening and to rinse off the dogs.

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Photo: Raili CA Interiors; Jessie Preza
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Incorporate Hidden Amenities

Designer Raili Clasen of Raili CA Design used a custom cabinet to hide all of the everyday essentials for her clients' four dogs. "For this pup palace, we created storage for the food, a water spout and even a crate for one of the fur babies," said Raili. "This is part of the pantry design so we added the fun wallpaper to nod to the doggie space within." You can also purchase freestanding cabinets designed to hold food, bowls and leashes.

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Photo: Christopher Dibble
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Get Funky with Tile

A charasmatic pup deserves a space that reflects that, like this dog washing station outfitted with bold blue tile. A clear shower door shows off the tile and is an ideal height for the homeowner to lean over while still protecting from splashes. A step stool tucked underneath makes it easier for Fido to climb in when it's bath time — if he's willing!

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Photo: Eric Roth. From: HGTV Magazine
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Carve Out a Spot for Storage

With pups come games of fetch, neighborhood walks, endless cuddles and lots of stuff. Make sure to have a designated spot to stow away toys, leashes and extra bowls when not in use. “If a house is short on storage, we add it wherever we can,” designer Chloë Rideout told HGTV Magazine. She used the nook under the stairs to build shelves big enough for baskets and a secret space for the homeowners' furry friend's bed.

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Photo: JOSEPH BRADSHAW
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Give it Sophisticated Flair

The HGTV Dream Home 2023 came decked out with a room all for the lucky winner's furry companion. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn used sleek black and gray tile with a motif representative of the home's surrounding mountains for the bath area. Modern gray cabinets house food, toys and a handy pot filler to easily fill the bowls beneath with water. A doggy portrait is both regal and cheeky.

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Photo: Ryan Garvin. From: Blackband Design
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Opt for Playful Accessories

A dog room is an inherently fun space, so why not play it up with whimiscal accessories? The hooks lining this bright and airy mudroom by Blackband Design are an amusing nod to who utilizes the room most. Permanent paw print marks in the tile are also a charming touch that let everyone know sometimes messes are OK.

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Photo: Tessa Neudstadt
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Utilize Wasted Space

The intersection of a tall storage cabinet and folding table in this eclectic laundry room could've been seen as unusable space. But with a cushy dog bed nestled inside the corner, it's a cozy spot for this doodle to sneak in naptime. A cabinet with leather pulls holds essentials like treats and food, and bowls with a tile surround look like they're one with the space.

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Photo: Jane Beiles. From: D2 Interieurs
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Add Personal Touches

Lean into your dog room by incorporating personal touches, like D2 Interieurs did in this contemporary dog-sized shower. "Woof" spelled out in green glass tiles is a funny way to let guests know who this space really is for and adds cute personality. Coral pebble tiles on the shower floor make the modern design more vibrant.

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Photo: Tomas Espinoza
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Don't Forget Decor!

When designer Bari J. Ackerman of Bari J. Designs renovated her butler's pantry, she made sure to include a special spot just for her dog, Ruthie. She painted it the same rosey hue as her cabinets and trim and sourced a painting from her local antique mall to hang over Ruthie's personal dining space. The vintage artwork is surely Ruthie-approved decor.

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