Designing with Pets in Mind: A Home That Works for Every Family Member

I came across a funny little saying today: “Yes, I get hair on the couch, but it’s called ‘fur’niture, isn’t it?” I had to laugh, because if you live in Bend, you know this is a big dog town. Everywhere you go—on the trails, at the breweries, even running errands—you’ll see dogs happily tagging along with their humans. And when you have pets that are such a big part of your life, it just makes sense to design your home with them in mind.

Over the years, I’ve learned that creating a beautiful, functional space doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort for your four-legged family members. In fact, thoughtful design can make life easier for everyone. Here are a few of my favorite ways to blend style and pet-friendly living:

Durable Fabrics That Still Feel Soft
I always recommend performance fabrics for sofas and chairs—especially in neutral, textured weaves that hide a little fur between vacuum days. These fabrics are designed to resist stains, stand up to paw prints, and still feel cozy for movie night snuggles.

Flooring That Works Hard
If you’ve ever had a dog run through the house with wet paws after a swim in the river, you know how important good flooring is. I love luxury engineered hardwood planks or durable tile for mudrooms and high-traffic areas—they’re easy to clean and don’t show wear the way softer surfaces do. Add a washable rug, and you’ve got the best of both worlds: style and practicality.

Built-In Pet Zones
One of my favorite design touches is carving out little nooks for pets—like a built-in feeding station tucked into cabinetry, or a dog bed that slides neatly under a bench in the mudroom. These solutions keep the essentials accessible but streamlined, so your home feels organized and intentional.

Easy-to-Clean Entryways
Since so many Bend homes are designed with adventure in mind, I often see mudrooms doubling as “dog central.” Think durable tile flooring, a boot tray that works just as well for paws, and hooks for leashes and towels. (Pro tip: a pet-washing station in the mudroom is a game-changer during snowy winters or muddy spring hikes.)

At the end of the day, designing with pets in mind is about balance. Yes, you may still have fur on the sofa sometimes—but with the right choices, your home can look stylish, stay comfortable, and work for every member of the family, two-legged or four.

Because to me, the best homes are the ones that truly reflect how we live—and in Bend, that often means living with dogs who bring joy, adventure, and yes, a little extra hair.

— Suzanne