Fun Decorating Ideas For You AND Your Dog In Your New Log Home

As you know, I'm a dog person. We currently have one dog (a Black Lab), and we are finding that we've had to rethink a few things in our new log home in order to accommodate our dog. Just small things... like ways to incorporate his food & water station, types of hardwood to use on the flooring, and the easiest way to bathe him.

The aim is for the dog to have a place in the house (just like he does now), while not wrecking all of our favorite features of a log home. (He's a very big, very active dog.)

Anyway, here are some fun ways that I've found to include dog-friendly features into your new log home.

Some things to think about...

When it comes to having a dog in a log home, you'll want to consider these:

Where to place the food & water bowls -- and what they'll look like.
Where to place the knick-knacks so little dogs won't bump into them... and big dogs won't knock 'em over with their tails.
Which type of flooring to choose -- everything from hardwoods, to tile to rugs -- to lessen the effects of dog claws (and muddy paws!) on the floors.
Furniture and bed spreads that won't attract dog fur.
Vacuuming options -- how to keep up with all the dog hair in the corners of each room (...and on the furniture).
Where your dog will sleep, and what your dog's bed will look like.
A way to bathe your dog quickly and easily -- without breaking your back.
Open shelves vs closed shelves in the kitchen & bathrooms... to keep pets (and stray fur!) out of the food and dishes.
Size and placement of the garbage cans ...in each room of the house.
Outdoor spaces to satisfy your dog and your friends. Think: dog house, porch & patio fun, water fountains, fencing.
How your dog will enter and exit the home -- either on their own (via a doggy door) or with your help (through a sliding door, or a french door, or a dutch door -- where the top & bottom open separately).