It seems that people love to pamper their pets more than ever before. This new desire to totally spoil your four-legged friends can take many forms. Everything from doggy massages to designer clothes are available for those pampered pooches. Some people even have rooms that are set aside just for the dogs. While this may seem over the top to some, with the sizes of houses increasing while the sizes of families is decreasing, many are putting their extra rooms to use as dedicated dog rooms complete with bedding, carefully selected paint color and wall décor . Here are some tips to make a room for the dogs that is both attractive and functional.

• Flooring When planning a room for the pets, flooring is one of the most important considerations. Carpet is a definite no-no. Every accident will result in having to scrub and scrub, and will often leave a stain anyway. Instead of carpet, choose flooring that is easy to clean and impossible to destroy. That means that wood flooring isn’t the best choice either. If wood floors are already in place, you certainly don’t want to remove or damage them. Instead, consider laying vinyl flooring over the wood. Don’t glue the vinyl as this will damage the wood floor. Instead, just place the vinyl on top and tack around the edges. This will provide the easy to clean surface you require, without doing any damage to the existing hardwood. If preserving the existing floor isn’t a concern, other flooring options include concrete and tile. Keep in mind that when you sell your home in the future, you may need to remove your dog friendly floor and replace it with carpet. (Not every buyer will appreciate a tile floor in a bedroom!)

• Walls Anyone with a dog knows that having the right paint on the walls can be important. Dogs tend to rub against the walls as they romp and run, leaving the walls dingy and dirty. Using a paint that can be wiped clean is a must.

• Door Depending on how you plan to use the doggy room, you may want to install a doggy door on the door to that room. Some people lock their dog in the room when they have company (sort of like a giant dog crate). They would need to install the type of doggy door that can be locked to keep Fido in when necessary. Otherwise, having a doggy door allows you to keep the door closed, while still allowing your pet access to his room.

• Décor To make cleanup a breeze, you’ll want to keep it simple. A few dog beds, some toys and his food and water bowl is all your pet really needs to be happy. Hang a decorative wall mirror and some metal wall art in the shape of animals to make the room looked finished.

Some may think it’s silly to have a room for the dogs, but if it makes sense to you then do it! It’s your home. And, after all, don’t your dogs deserve the best?