Furniture for Fido (and Fifi)

In my living room, there's a big open space with an enormous pillow lying on the floor -- my dog's bed. It doesn't bother me much day-to-day, but I do wish that I could hide it when guests stop by. I imagine cat owners feel the same way about the litterbox.

I thought that there must be some better looking pet furniture out there, and after doing a little research, I found some pretty cool pieces -- many are made to fit into your decor. Take a look at this roundup of pet bed and litterbox furniture. You'll get a chuckle. And they may just pretty up your pet problem.

The DenHaus TownHaus Wooden Litter Box Enclosure, $399, at AllPetFurniture.com (left) keeps the litter tucked into a traditional-looking end table or night stand. Just close the door when guests come over. You can also purchase a pillow for the inside so that it doubles as a bed. In a similar vein, America's Pet Store offers a similar design called The Pet House (right), $109, that also doubles as a bed or a litterbox. It blends seamlessly into any decor, and even has an insert to hold books or magazines. Score!

What do you do if your dog is crate-trained? This was a dilemma that I struggled with for years, since I was forced to stare at an unsightly crate in the middle of the room. If you have the same problem, there are furniture-style alternatives to the large metal crates that look a heck of a lot better.

Whether you need modern or traditional, pet crate end tables are a multifunctional piece of furniture that any small-space dweller might consider. The ZenHaus dog house (left), $549, from Pamper Me Puppy is a high-price option, but if you add together the cost of a quality dog crate and the price of the average end table, it seems reasonable. For more traditional homes, the mission-style Pet Crate, $199 to $259, available at Improvements, is a stylish option.

If you're the type to treat your furry friends as though they were your children, then maybe you'd like to get them their very own couch! What better way to blend in than to add extra seating to your room? The Tight Back Square Sofa Pet Bed, $188, at Bellacor, is a sleek, modern option.