Longing For A Chic Living Room? The One Item That Doesn't Belong There

If you're like many people, you've likely spent a long time designing the interior of your home. You've curated your possessions, decluttered to give your space look a more high-end look, and decorated carefully to create the living room of your dreams. Personal taste plays a big role in creating a chic living room but there is one item in particular — no matter your stylistic preferences — that universally does not belong in the space. Hint: Your pup won't be happy with what it is.

While your loyal canine friend needs a place to sleep and feel safe, the living room is the one of the last spots their bed or crate should be situated. This is because no matter how nice or stylish your pup's bed is, their set up is going to clash with your chic vibe. It's hard to maintain a cohesive living room style when you've got a bulky, unattractive dog bed cheapening the appearance of your space.  Crates can be even worse, as they have the ability to convert even the nicest rooms into something that more resembles an animal shelter. 

There's no other way to say it: Your dog's sleeping accoutrements are negatively impacting your chic living room. It's hard to maintain high-end or classy looking décor with a when you've got musty-smelling, fur-covered bedding next to your coffee table. However, taking the right actions now can help you reclaim the space.

First things first, your dog's beds and crates should not be permanently residing in your living room. In addition to looking bad, dog beds and crates (even those that are regularly cleaned) will harbor odors and bacteria that will negatively impact the vibe of a room, not to mention your health. Move them out of the space, then clean the living room to remove any dog hair, dirt, or odors that linger. 

Your next assignment is to find a place for your dog's beds to stay; if possible, place them in a bonus room that is off from the main floor plan or situate them in the laundry room or mud room. Avoid simply shunting them into a hallway, as this will disrupt the flow of your home. You also won't want to install them in your bedroom — all of their bacteria and dander can seriously disrupt your health if you suffer from allergies.

Homes with limited square footage (such as smaller apartments) might have to adopt a shuffling routine when they are about to host guests. In cases such as these, you might have to settle for less than perfect. Simply move the dog beds out of the living room while prepping for company (you can always stow beds in a closet and the dog crate in your bedroom for a few hours). If you truly don't have another space to stash your dog's crate, here are some clever ways to blend a dog kennel into your home and reduce the potential impact of the eyesore.