Life

In the dog house: Canine-themed decor to celebrate Chinese 'year of the dog'

It might sound a little barking, but there's no end of dog-themed decor to choose from. Gabrielle Fagan's sniffs out her favourites

Daschund dog garden bench, £179.99, The Present Finder
Daschund dog garden bench, £179.99, The Present Finder Daschund dog garden bench, £179.99, The Present Finder

It might sound a little barking, but there's no end of dog-themed decor to choose from. Gabrielle Fagan sniffs out her favourites, to mark Chinese year of the dog (starts February 16):

:: Go 'walkies' on the wall

Plain or small spaces, such as hallways and bathrooms, are great for experimenting with quirky wallpaper – like a doggie-dotted version. Plus, a monochrome scheme never goes out of fashion, and black-and-white framed photos of your pet could be a perfect finishing touch. Alternatively, Wallsauce.com has a brilliant selection of dog wall murals, including a Labradors Wall Mural, from £27 per square metre.

:: Set a 'pawfect' table

Pooch might have to eat out of a humble bowl – but you can show you're top dog by setting a smart table with crockery that features different breeds or your favourite hound.

:: Bow-wow factor

Don't want to go whole hog – or should that be, whole dog – with your mutty makeover? You can still delve into doggy decor with a few subtle touches, perhaps a vase on a shelf or sideboard, or there are plenty of dog-themed accessories, from lamps to cushions.

:: Pampered pooch

Get your pooch his/her own sofa or glamorous bed – at least then he won't hog the couch and get hairs all over your cushions.