The Apartment Setup That Makes Life With Three Dogs Work

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When you live with multiple dogs, your home stops being just your space.

Some days it can feel more like a chaotic college dorm room — just with dog beds, toys, and fur instead of hair dryers, makeup spills, and endless laundry.

And if you’re living in an apartment like I am, there’s even less room for chaos.

Over the years I’ve learned that the secret to living peacefully with multiple dogs isn’t just training or organization. It’s learning to design your space with your dogs in mind.

These are the small design decisions that made my apartment actually work for three dogs.

Create a Dedicated Dog Zone

The first thing that changed everything was giving the dogs their own area in the apartment.

Instead of toys scattered everywhere, I created a small “dog zone” where all of their things live.

What goes here:

• toy basket
• dog beds
• enrichment toys

Why it works:

Dogs thrive when they understand where things belong — and where they belong.

Choose Dog Beds That Match Your Decor

Dog beds are often the largest dog item in a home, so they matter aesthetically.

Instead of trying to hide them, I chose beds that actually complement the apartment. And because my dogs naturally gravitate to whatever room I’m in, I selected (or DIY’ed) beds that match the design of each space.

For example, in my bedroom I paired an upholstered linen-and-gold bench with two small dog crates to create a “twin bed” setup for Dylan and Delilah that mirrors my linen-wrapped bed frame. At first glance, you wouldn’t even realize the bench doubles as a pet

The relaxed, comfortable vibe continues into my living room. Since this is where we spend most of our time, I keep two pet beds here: one playful pup tent and one lush floor poof. Both are light and airy to match the space’s fresh feeling.

Meanwhile, my home office leans slightly more formal. For this room I chose two covered beds: an elegant wicker canopy bed that sits next to my desk, and the Ripple Pet Home — which, despite being oversized, almost disappears in the room because it doubles as an accent table.

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A post shared by Lindsey | Dog Mom | Home & Style (@lindseyandcoco)

*For more information about The Ripple Pet Home and my pet friendly home office, please read  my post CB2-Inspired Dog Mom Office

Regardless of the design, the things I always look for in dog beds are: 

• neutral colors
• durable fabrics
• washable covers

Design an Entryway That Works for Walks

With multiple dogs, your entryway becomes command central.

If everything isn’t organized, walks quickly turn into chaos.

My apartment unfortunately lacks a true entryway, so I improvised by turning the top half of my laundry closet into a makeshift “doggy mudroom.”

Styled with a few self-painted dog portraits, I keep leashes, collars, and outdoor gear organized in a series of small baskets.

For homes with a larger entryway, I recommend including:

• small basket for poop bags
• leash hooks
• a towel for muddy paws

Use Washable Textiles Everywhere

Living with dogs means accepting that things will get messy.

So instead of fighting it, I choose materials designed for real life with dogs.

Apartment staples I swear by include:

• washable rugs
• washable slipcovers
• performance fabrics whenever possible

These small decisions make everyday messes much easier to manage.

Create Calm Spaces for Each Dog

Multiple dogs need moments of separation.

Each of my dogs has their own resting spot throughout the apartment.

This helps prevent:

• overstimulation
• toy guarding
• constant following

I take that one step further at mealtime.

While the dogs happily share their water fountain, I don’t encourage competition during meals. Each dog has their own feeding station in a separate corner of the kitchen.

This prevents the development of food aggression and keeps mealtimes calm for everyone — including me.

Make Enrichment Part of the Layout

Dogs need mental stimulation — especially apartment dogs and especially during the winter months.

Instead of waiting for walks to burn energy, I keep enrichment tools easily accessible, usually in my makeshift doggy mudroom.

Examples include:

• puzzle toys
• snuffle mats
• chew stations

These little “family game nights” help burn energy even on rainy or snowy days.

Accept That Dogs Live Here Too

This was the mindset shift that changed everything.

Instead of designing a home that tries to hide the fact that dogs live here, I designed my apartment with them in mind from the beginning. I chose furniture and decor that blend the dogs’ needs with my own preferences.

The result is a space intentionally designed for all four of us and the way we live.

Living with multiple dogs in an apartment is absolutely possible.

Small changes — like dog zones, organized entryways, and durable materials — make everyday life calmer for everyone.

Including the dogs.