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National Dog Day is August 26.

In what may be the best day of the year- besides Christmas – we celebrate National Dog Day on August 26. Here at Agricola Redesign, we’ve always been a little over-the-top about animals. Sometimes, we catch ourselves spending more time with our clients’ pets than our actual clients. Ha!

But having a pet doesn’t come without challenges, especially when you want to give them a space that allows them to be safe and comfortable in your home. Here are some home design tips when it comes to decorating with a pet in mind:

Consider the drool factor: Does your pet leave a trail wherever he or she goes? If so, think about your fabric choices when bringing in furniture and other items. You’ll want something that is durable and also washable – ya know, just in case. You may have your furry friend trained to stay off the furniture, but we’ve been in many homes and as soon as mom and dad leave – yep, they’re up on the couch.

Child-pro..Oops! We mean, puppy-proof: When you look at the images on Houzz or Pinterest, you’re probably seeing all kinds of low-set tables that are full of great accessories. Well, you might want to rethink those ideas if you have a pet that’s able to reach what’s on the table and make it their new favorite toy. Just as you would do if/when you had a small child, you’re going to have to think of many of those same things with a pet.

Add built-in storage for toys: Love Fido but not all of his toys lying around the house? How about this idea – bring in accent tables that have built-in storage to put your four-legged friend’s toys and pet supplies. Not only will this keep things out of the way, but you’ll also always know where everything is!

Go with pet-friendly fabric: When you’re buying a large item like a couch, make sure you consider going with a fabric that is similar to the color of your pet’s fur or a smaller print fabric. Large prints won’t hide pet hair as well as smaller prints, and if you have a dark-colored dog combined with a linen-colored sofa you’ll find that you’ll be quite busy with the lint brush.

Be sure to stop by A Village Gift Shop this week, August 29-31, for a free treat bag for your pet!