When it comes to interior design, there are a few things you can do to make your place of work more accommodating for your furry friend. You can install a designated pet area with a bed and food/water bowls, choose furniture that is pet-friendly, and add some decorative touches that will make your dog feel comfortable. If your budget allows for it, you can even look into interior design services.
However, first things first, it’s important to consider your pet’s needs in terms of interior design. Does your dog have any special requirements that you should take into account when designing the office space? Do they get stressed out easily? Are they active enough to need a designated area with an activity mat? Will there be other dogs at work, or only one pet roaming around the office?
What if multiple people bring their furry friends to work
It may be best to designate a corner of the office as the designated dog-friendly area. This way, pets can socialize during breaks and not interfere with work activities. Make sure that this space is relatively close to where you’ll be sitting; otherwise, your pup may get anxious and need to be let out of their cage more often. If you need to leave your pet alone in the office, make sure they have a comfortable bed and plenty of water. If there are multiple dog owners in the office, perhaps it will be best to rotate dog-sitting duties so that everyone gets a chance to play with their four-legged friend during the workday.
How to make an interior space more dog-friendly
If your dog is a little on the shy side, opt for furniture that doesn’t have sharp corners, but there are still some options if you’re looking to add some armchairs or tables to the workplace interior design. These items should be solid enough so they don’t fall over when your pet jumps onto them, and with no sharp edges either.
It’s important to keep in mind how canines view the world around them. They tend to have less visual acuity than humans do because of the structure of their eyes. Instead of seeing sharply defined objects from a distance, they perceive a blur, which can be very confusing for them. So, if your interior decorating project includes some floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the outside world, make sure there is either a solid divider or some sort of interior screen between the interior and exterior spaces.
Now that we have some ground rules established, we can jump into the nitty-gritty and discover how to transform our office space.
Here’s an in-depth list of office interior design ideas that you can implement:
Tips to design a designated pet area
You can use a corner to create a pet area with a bed and food/water bowls. Keep the items in this area neat and tidy, just as you would do with any other part of the room. Make sure that the bowls are easily accessible and never force your dog to go on a diet.
A comfortable bed is a must-have for any pet area. You can buy one or make it yourself if you have some spare time! If you decide to go with a store-bought item, pick one made of sturdy materials such as faux suede or real velvet. In case you don’t want to put up with making a purchase decision.
Adding stylistic touches
Your office interior design project should represent your personality, so consider your dog’s preferences as well. A plush interior is not very popular among dogs because their sense of smell is ten times more powerful than humans’.
Add a water bowl or food bowl stand, or simply install new wall art of dog breeds to create a welcoming space for your pet. If you want to go all out, you can also invest in dog pillows and other interior items specifically designed for pet owners.
Don’t forget about storage
Wall-mounted cabinets are perfect for storing all sorts of dog accessories, from toys to grooming tools to clothing items. In addition, the cabinet doors allow you to keep everything out of sight when needed – no one would ever suspect how many things you have stashed there.
If you do opt to hire an interior design service, this would be a great place to gain their professional insight. Built-in cabinets and shelves can also come in handy because they serve a dual purpose: you’ve got designated storage for your dog items and more room on the floor for your pet to play. However, if you don’t want to add built-ins, consider getting a small hutch or buffet. These furniture items will allow you to organize all of the dog accessories neatly and keep the space looking stylish at the same time.
Make sure the space is safe and clean
You can add a wall-mounted dog wash station in the designated pet area to create a safe space for your furball to take care of its hygiene. Add a dog bowl mat, this will ensure that the water doesn’t slip and spill, but if you do encounter a spill the mat helps with easy cleanup.
You can add a doggy door to your office door
Installing a doggie door is a great idea if your dog has an off switch and will leave your office to go get some water or hang out on their bed with your co-workers. Nonetheless, make sure your doggy door has an off switch. That way you can leave your desk without worrying about what your dog is getting up to. This project isn’t too difficult to carry out and it will make a huge difference for both you and your furry friend.
Another option is having a retractable baby gate installed in the doorway to keep your pup confined to just one room while allowing them access in and out of the room.
Choose furniture that is pet-friendly
This doesn’t mean going over your spending budget or choosing low-quality pieces. It just means that you need to pick furniture that is safe for your pets. Avoid hanging heavy pictures on the walls and choose sofas with tall backrests – they prevent dogs from jumping onto the cushions, which may be hazardous for them. Your chair should be comfortable for both you and your best friend. For example, get an armless model with soft cushions to avoid discomfort after hours spent at work. The backrest should not obstruct the view of your pet either.
In case there are other people in your company that have pets, choose a loveseat or a sectional instead of separate chairs that aren’t connected to each other in any way. If it’s just you and one pup in the office, a desk and armless chairs will do just fine.
Of course, you’ll need to place a few dog toys on the floor – if your dog doesn’t have any free time during the day, chances are that it will damage some furniture eventually. If you have leather sofas or other delicate pieces of décor, this is not an ideal arrangement for you. In this case, go for sturdy plastic covers that can withstand even the most active pets. When picking models, opt for those with opaque covers rather than see-through ones as they’ll hold better against strong claws trying to scratch through them.
A great interior-design tip is to install a mesh cover over any plants near where your pet usually hangs out. This way there are no risks of your pup eating the leaves or even pulling them over because they will be contained within the mesh.
If you’ve ever had to deal with the dilemma of whether or not your office space is dog friendly, we want you to know that there are some simple and inexpensive ways to make it work. From pet-friendly furniture like armless chairs and desk organizers for all of those extra supplies to clever solutions like installing a doggy door for quick access in and out of the room—the article will show you how easy it can be!
photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/zWOQD6fFCBs
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