Decorating Dilemmas is a weekly column in which our stylists answer your design questions, so you can tackle your home decorating project with complete confidence.
Dear How to Decorate,
I’ve never done anything like this before, but I’m have a hard time decorating my back entry way because of my dog’s kennel and the small space we have. The dog kennel has to stay. We recently built our second home and downsized tremendously. Our dog sleeps inside every night in her kennel and in our other house she had her own room. I love decorating, however, and am having a very difficult time with this area because of the small space and the size of her kennel. She needs her big kennel because I hate seeing her be put in anything too small. She enjoys watching us every night, but she can not run in house because she sheds so badly! I was thinking of:
A bench seat with cushion
A metal-like tray to store shoes
A rug runner
Some kind of wall decor
Please help!!!!!!!
Marci
Dear Marci,
Thank you for your Decorating Dilemma. We love the wood paneled walls and the white trim in your back entry way, and we especially love your sweet pup! With a few additions to the space, we know it can be a practical entryway for you.
Let’s begin by laying an indoor/outdoor rug in your entryway. We recommend our Parish Indoor/Outdoor Rug in Gray. The rug will ground the open space and provides a place to wipe your feet. The Dorchester Bench with a farmhouse cushion is the perfect solution for your entryway as well as a great place to put on shoes when coming in and out of the house. When you’re ready to kick off those shoes, our Rubber Boot Tray positioned beside the doorway will keep them organized.
Your adorable dog certainly needs a comfy space of her own. If you are concerned with the space that her crate takes up, you can certainly use a removable baby gate at the entry to your hall to block her from roaming the house. Our cozy Lounge Dog Bed in the Chevron print is the perfect place for her to curl up for a post-walk snooze or even settle in for the night.
The spacious wall above the coat hooks would be the perfect home for one or a grouping of our Dog Day Prints or perhaps our Chateau Betton Wall Clock to check the time before heading out the door.
Please let us know what you think, and don’t forget to send some pictures when you complete your look!
Happy Decorating,
The How to Decorate Team
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