Aour dog or cat deserves to have sweet dreams, but traditional pet bed designs can be eyesores for those with a keen sense of interior design. The solution? Elevating your pet’s sleeping surface to reflect a sense of style, while providing quality materials for ultimate comfort, with a selection of the best luxury pet beds.
With hundreds of dog beds and cat cradles on the market, we consulted the experts: Jill Shevlin of Jill Shevlin Design, a licensed interior designer in South Florida offering clever ways to incorporate pet beds into your home décor; and Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado, providing her knowledge of materials and styles that ensure Fido gets a good night’s sleep.
We’ve got insights on design trends, quality checks, and products to splurge on or save so you can find the perfect pet bed to match your interior style, and ensure your furry best friends get the best sleep.
All About Luxury Pet Beds
Can’t My Pet Just Seep in My Bed?
Nighttime cuddles might seem tempting, but a study from the Mayo Clinic found that separate sleeping areas for pets and their owners resulted in better quality sleep than when pets slept in the bed together.
The study notes that, unlike sleeping in a bed with another person, having a dog in your bed is linked to reduced sleep “efficiency.” It’s OK to have your dog or cat sleep in the same room as you but providing them with their own bed is definitely the way to go if you want to catch some Z’s.
What Makes a Pet Bed Luxurious?
We asked Dr. Wooten about what makes for a top-quality and luxurious sleeping experience. Her main pick?
“Big Barker beds,” she says. “They never flatten, are made in the USA, and the company has invested a lot of money in research that proves their beds are awesome, including compression studies.”
You can check out a UPenn Vet study that showed how these beds contributed to improving pain scores and mobility in older dogs with osteoarthritis. Sweet!
The designs are basic enough to match any existing decor you might have, but the materials, like orthopedic memory foam (which is great for senior dogs), are high-quality; and the brand uses master furniture makers to handcraft each one. Some, like this one, even have a headrest so your pup can dream in style.
The Not-So-Luxe Things to Avoid
Something that is machine-washable or that has a removable cover is always ideal; and check materials thoroughly. Toxic fillers that off gas, and often have toxic glue, are no-gos, she adds.
Dr. Wooten also prefers elevated beds, like the Frisco Steel-framed Elevated Bed, which offers a cost-effective way to support a dog’s body naturally. Plus, the sleek, neutral design won’t distract from your personal decor.
Types of Pet Beds
1 Bolster Beds
If your dog is a cuddler, bolster beds offer them a space to curl up and snuggle sweetly and comfortably.
Bessie + Barnie’s Bagel Pillow Bed looks like a chic floor cushion; the donut-style design is super trendy and will blend into any room seamlessly. Check out the Pendleton National Park Kuddler Bolster Bed, too. It offers a sleek striped design that doubles as a statement piece.
Splurge: Weelywally, $389
Save: Best Friends by Sheri, $32.20
2 Lounger/Pillow
These pet beds are more basic in concept, as their overall design is less fancy, but they are no less luxurious when it comes to your pet’s comfort.
A great choice is Big Barker’s Sleek Edition Pillow-Top Orthopedic Dog Bed, which is hand-made around a high-quality orthopedic foam core designed to support big dogs through structural ailments.
The PawBrands PupRug Faux Fur Curve Orthopedic Pillow Bed looks more like a fancy fur rug and less like a puppy sleep station, so you can leave it out all day long without worrying about it cramping your own style.
Splurge: B&G Martin, $195
Save: Deny Designs, $99.99
3 Cave
For dogs and cats that like to burrow under the covers, try a pet cave.
Snoozer Pet Products Orthopedic Microsuede Cozy Cave Bed provides an orthopedic nest-style bed so pets can lounge or sleep on the durable, comfy microsuede exterior, or curl up in comfort under the plush Sherpa interior.
You can even go as extra as adding a teepee to your room, which offers your pet a covered space for snoozing. Fringe Studio’s Celestial Teepee Bed even rolls up for easy storage, but it’s so adorable you’ll want to show it off for sure.
Splurge: Weelywally, $496
Save: Best Friends by Sheri, $34.99
4 Crate
If your pooch likes sleeping in a crate, consider investing in one that blends in with your existing decor.
The Modern Lattice Single Door Dog Crate by Casual Home doubles as a side table, and the contemporary design isn’t as big of an eyesore as traditional cage crates can be. You can complement it with a Molly Mutt crate pad, which is filled with wool to keep your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Splurge: Unipaws, $379.99
Save: New Age Pet ecoFLEX, $77
5 Couch
Yes, there are pet couches and dog sofas; and yes, they are as bougie as you might think.
These elevated beds come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles—everything from Chesterfield-style sofas and Victorian chaise lounges to Millennial-Pink Mid Century Modern loveseats.
Now, your pet has a place to binge-watch Netflix alongside you, in style.
Splurge: Enchanted Home, $251
Save: Keet, $125
Summer Decor Trends
1 Natural Materials
Bring the outdoors inside with natural materials like wood, wicker, and bamboo, which add a warm, natural vibe to any space according to Diaz.
Sam's Pets Nala Wicker Bed looks more like a stylish basket than a kitty crash pad; and for small dogs, Frisco’s Elevated Wicker Bed with a faux fur cushion offers a contemporary statement piece houseguests are sure to compliment.
2 Geometric Patterns
Diaz says that bold, geometric patterns are big this summer.
Keep your pets feeling cool as well with FurHaven’s Southwest Kilim Cooling Gel Deluxe Chaise, which wicks away heat and comes in a variety of stylish patterns and colors.
3 Tropical Prints
Tropical-inspired prints add a touch of fun and whimsy to any space, according to Diaz. A bed with a banana leaf print, or one reminiscent of the Amazon jungle, should do the trick.
Check out the pillows from Deny Designs, which come in two tropical style patterns that are also easy to clean, thanks to their removable, washable cover.
How to Add a Pet Bed to Any Room
Shelvin says that the most ideal way is by creating a custom-design pet zone—basically a space dedicated to your pet’s activities.
Elements like cabinetry, bench seating, and staircases can be turned into a comfortable sleeping area, with a little construction know-how.
“I have worked with clients that needed a dog room,” Shelvin says. “We built a dog wash station and added a vacuum and a drying area along with a washer and dryer for all the towels and beds that need to be laundered.”
Those not looking for a home improvement project, or those renting their homes and have restricted construction access, just need to find the perfect spot for their pet bed. Shelvin says it should be easily accessible for the dog and not something in the middle of the room or somewhere you might trip over.
Creating a sleeping area under a side table or nightstand are two ideas. Or, even using a dog crate, like Frisco’s "Denver" Dog Crate Credenza & Mat Kit or Unipaws End Table Wooden Dog Crate, can double as a dog bed and a furniture piece.
Is a More Expensive Pet Bed Worth It?
Dr. Wooten adds that benefits of good sleep include promoting lower stress, hormonal balance, heart health, blood sugar regulation, lower inflammation, weight maintenance, and cognitive (brain) health.
Investing in a bed for your pet will ensure they have sweet dreams and healthy days ahead. Dr. Wooten advises that providing a high quality, supportive sleeping surface will result in your pet getting a good, deep sleep, which in turn, promotes its health and wellbeing.
Finding the perfect luxury dog or cat bed doesn’t have to be difficult, but it’s important to ensure whatever you do end up with is comfortable enough to provide a healthy sleep for your pet.
These design tips will also help you incorporate your pet bed into your home easily and fashionably, elevating your own decor as well.
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