She Put a Dog Bed in Her Tiny Living Room — And Didn’t Even Own a Pet

Tackling a small living room layout can be quite the challenge (and designers recommend avoiding these items). Figuring out how to add all the traditional accoutrements can feel like the most difficult game of Tetris ever. If having additional seating for guests is a must for you, then you might want to turn your attention to the pet aisle (yes, really!) instead of looking at bulky chairs. 

When Melissa Chang was decorating her 250-square-foot Manhattan apartment (featured in the video above), she didn’t have space for accent chairs for guests. Her living room space was already being used as a dining room, office, and closet, and it fit a two-person sofa and a storage coffee table. But that lack of space didn’t mean she wasn’t going to host — she just snagged a dog bed as a floor cushion.

It’s not unusual to utilize floor cushions as seating, but using a dog bed is completely unexpected — especially because she doesn’t have a dog. “It’s a Pendleton dog bed, but I don’t have a dog,” Melissa explained in the video above. “I just enjoy having the option to sit on the floor, anywhere I want to sit on the floor.” 

What makes a dog cushion a potentially better option than a traditional floor cushion? For starters, dog beds are likely wider than floor cushions so that you can really spread out. Additionally, dog beds are made for burrowing pups, which means they’re built to be comfortable for long stretches of time. 

Just because it’s technically meant for furry friends doesn’t mean it necessarily has to look like it. While Melissa’s dog bed was from Pendleton, several others look like floor cushions. For example, Sunbrella’s indoor/outdoor striped dog bed that’s selling at West Elm looks like something I’d lounge in the sun on. The two striped colorways are so sophisticated and neutral that they’ll blend seamlessly into any space.

If you’re looking for ultimate comfort, then consider this orthopedic option from Target. It looks like a huge pillow, and comes in three sizes, so you can easily find the one that works best for you. Plus, if you accidentally spill something on it, the cover zips off and is washable. 

What clever renters and homeowners continually teach me every day is to rethink how I look at everyday items. Just because something was made for a specific purpose (in this case, for a dog to perch) doesn’t mean that it has to be used that way in reality. Visit the full House Tour to see more of the small-space tricks in Melissa’s apartment.