I’m guessing that if you’re like me, there is a space under your stairs that serves as a graveyard for Amazon boxes and old shoes. My dog has had that too, until I finally did something about it.
Does your golden have one spot she keeps going back to? Maybe a corner of the couch that she’s slowly destroying or the edge of your rug that now smells like… dog? It’s okay. She just wants her own special place and probably one that doesn’t wreck your decor, too.
That dead space underneath the stairs literally begs to be turned into a cute dog den that will actually fit your dog spaces in house design vision and keeps your pup off the furniture.
I can’t get enough of these 10 dog under stairs spaces. Now, I’ve got to go look under our stairs to see what’s down there.
#1: Jackson’s Under-Stair Dog Den — The Coziest Nook Your Golden Retriever Deserves
You know how when your golden retriever circles the living room 3 times before flopping down on your throw pillows, the ones that you just fluffed up, she needs her own spot.
This setup will stop the chaos. If you have space underneath the stairs, you can make this area into a dog’s den. It will be less like a crate and more like a tiny apartment for your dog.
The walls are warm yellow and glows with a welcoming light that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. The door is framed in white painted MDF trim and it has a wire grid insert so that light can pass through the door and the dog won’t feel like it’s shut in. On the door there is a sign with my dogs name in black stenciled lettering on a white wood plank, the “Jackson” detail is what makes the whole thing look intentional not improvised.
To recreate this: Grab ½ inch MDF for the door frame, galvanized wire mesh for the window panel and a warm LED strip light tucked along the ceiling inside. The name sign can be a pine board, sanded smooth, with vinyl lettering or a stencil kit from a craft store.
Real talk: Tip: Make sure the door opening is at least 24 inches wide by 22 inches tall so your golden retriever can walk in without ducking – which will make her feel comfortable and happy every time.
Paint the inside a color that your dog’s fur won’t camouflage against…trust me, cleanup is a lot easier.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @eleganceroom
#2: The Under-Stairs Dog Den With a Built-In Gate (And It Looks Like Art)
Or maybe your golden retriever has once again claimed the entire couch, and you’re running out of places to put your guests. I have been needing something for guests to sit on in our living room, and this little corner looked better than half of the living rooms on Pinterest!
The space used here is the triangle underneath a stair. The stairs have a diagonal roofline. I had a black steel bar gate made to fit in that space. The wall is painted a soft matte grey. The floor is the same light oak vinyl planks used in the main room. I suppose the den is part of the room. I put it there for my dog. It is for you to stare at. You must be in the market for an unusual conversation piece.
In case you were wondering how to replicate this… you need a custom-cut MDF or steel-frame gate that is cut to match the angle of the stair. This is NOT a standard pet gate situation. I have the black Roman numeral wall clock hanging above the space which helps to make it feel intentional and not an afterthought.
I cut a small piece of rubber mat to fit the triangular floor. It helps to protect the flooring and gives the puppy something to grip on.
But if you are wondering if the gate opens inward or outward, go with outward. It is just so much easier if your dog is wiggling around your legs at 7am.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @duckeyscarpentryandlocksmiths
#3: The Under-Stairs Crate Nook With a Personalized Name Sign
I really like this. We have a wire crate that we put under the stairs. It makes it looks like a little “room”, and my golden would claim that as her spot forever.
The frame is made of white-painted MDF fluted molding. Inside the crate is a standard black wire crate, but I’ve added a gray star-print cushion bed so the puppy doesn’t slip around when she goes to lie down. A hot pink stainless steel water bowl clips to the crate door. A wooden name sign with purple border and pink lettering is on top. The signs can be found on Etsy for $15–$25.
My sister did something similar for her dog and said the fluted molding was the game changer. The thing that really takes it from dog corner to real decor.
Cut your fluted MDF strips to fit the opening of the alcove, then simply nail them directly over the drywall. Prime and paint these in the same color as your trim so it looks like it’s done on purpose.
measure your crate before building the frame, not after.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @albany_house
#4: The “Roxy-Worthy” Dog Nook Under the Stairs Your Golden Retriever Deserves
You know that moment when your dog flops down right in the middle of the hallway and just lies there, even when someone walks by? That’s my dog’s personality too.
Well that ends the chaos, for the most part. This space under the stairs will become a full dog sanctuary. Dark olive green walls, a mosaic tile backsplash in gray and white, and a chunky, boucle dog bed that will probably be more comfortable than my own couch!
To recreate this, you will need a raised stainless steel double-bowl feeder on a black metal stand, as the puppy can easily bend his neck low to reach the bowl and may create a mess. Go with two woven seagrass baskets (one for toys and one as a pouf) and a potted snake plant or dried pampas stems as an editorial touch.
Paint the back wall a deep matte green (something like Benjamin Moore’s “Narragansett Green”) and hang black and white photos of your pets low on the wall so your golden can feel at home.
wire name letters (above) | the gold wire “Roxy” sign here was under $15 on etsy and just pulls the whole corner together.
Leave the feeder station on the tiled section, not on the bed area. Water splashes there sometimes and wet boucle fabric is a nightmare to dry.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @inside_out_interior
#5: The Built-In Dog Nook Under the Stairs That Makes Your Home Look Like a Pinterest Board
I have a golden retriever, and she has a favorite spot to lay under the stairs in the corner, wedged between the wall and a pile of shoes. Every morning I trip over her and say to myself, “I need to fix this!”
This Japanese-inspired design is so cute! It has a matte greige panel wrapping the underside of the wooden stairs and a house shaped cutout right into the wall. It has a dog nook which is flush with a pull out storage drawer underneath to keep the leashes and treats out of the way. Your golden would totally call this his spot!
Recreating this look is easy with a few simple touches: painted MDF panels in a warm greige tone, a pentagonal arch cutout (for the classic house shape), and a low-profile drawer unit built into the base. The stair treads are made of natural cedar wood, which adds a warm contrast to the cool wall color.
One thing to remember: Don’t make the mistake of sizing your cutout after you’ve built the dog. For a Golden Retriever, the cutout should be at least 28″ wide × 26″ tall, so she can walk in comfortably.
Add a [strong]removable washable cushion[/strong] inside the nook. It makes it cozy and you don’t have to scrub the floor every week. If an accident happens in the nook, a waterproof liner under the cushion can be helpful.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @mds_arch
#6: The Cozy Under-Stair Dog Nook That Looks Like It Belongs on a Magazine Cover
My Golden did it again. She circles the living room 3 times before she decides to flop down right smack in the middle of the walkway. She’s basically begging for it.
What I like best about this nook is the whitewashed shiplap walls and recessed lighting that give it the feel of a farmhouse cozy that my dog can’t help but melt into. What makes it even better is that it’s tucked perfectly under the staircase and there isn’t one inch of wasted space!
Start with tongue and groove pine planks that have been painted in a whitewash finish on the back and side walls. Add a custom-cut foam mattress that measures approximately 36″ wide x 48″ deep and a gray plaid fabric to wrap it in. Add a floating walnut shelf above to hold a little plant, a framed print, and a little light fixture underneath it. On the back wall, hang two or three brass cup hooks to keep leashes, harnesses and other doggy drop zone chaos in one cute spot.
Keep this in mind: There’s a built in lip at the base of the opening, so the mattress doesn’t slide out every time your dog hops on and off. This means you don’t have to reposition the mattress every day.
Cut a puck light or a LED strip underneath the shelf. It will cast a warm light from underneath to make the nook feel more intentional, but it will not get too hot.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @stacierenshaw
#7: The Modern Farmhouse Stair Gate Setup Your Dog (and Your Aesthetic) Will Actually Love
My golden retriever can’t resist hitting the bottom stair on his way up, tail wagging, nails clicking on the wood, ready to bolt up the stairs the second I turn my back. I’m thinking I need a gate but not an ugly one.
I love this! It has the same matte black horizontal bar railings that run the entire length of the staircase, but also includes the natural oak wood treads and white painted risers. I also love that it has a similar sliding barn-style gate in matte black steel (again with the same horizontal bars), that sits flush against the wall.
To create something similar in your own home, I’d have to start with a custom or semi-custom horizontal bar gate, one with 1/2-inch steel bar spacing that’s tight enough to stop a retriever snout from squeezing through. I would also build my stairs with a herringbone-laid hardwood floor and include a board-and-batten accent wall in the stairwell.
Before you order the gate, make sure the gate finish matches the stair railing. That is the only way you can make this pulled together instead of patched together. This might be a good time to check out best big dog breeds to see what weights they are rated for so you can figure out what gate to go with.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @eleven11design
#8: The Pull-Out Shelf Nook — A Hidden Storage Den Your Dog Will Claim as Their Throne
You know that feeling you get when you trip over your dog’s leash again because it was just laying on the floor right next to her food bowl, her extra collar, and whatever she dragged in from outside?
This setup is the answer to that chaos.
under the stairs, a full white MDF panel was installed- with pull-out shelf units that were painted in a clean matte white and have 3 adjustable tiers that slide out on tracks. behind the panel, there is a dog den built in the cavity of the stairs with a round braided cotton dog bed inside.
And best of all, the shelves are used to store all her gear (leashes, treats, grooming tools) right above her bed. Everything is kept in one place.
For the pull-out unit, use ¾-inch plywood that has been finished with a smooth white paint and mounted on full-extension drawer slides so it can handle the weight of the car and give you easy access to every shelf.
Just one thing to add is that you might want to put a small led strip light inside of the dog den. My friend did this for her lab and he refuses to sleep anywhere else now.
With a pull-out feature, the treats are hidden, but easily accessible. You won’t have to dig through your closet to find the treat bag.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @billy_townsend_crawshaw
#9: The Under-Stair Reading Nook That’s Also Your Dog’s Favorite Throne
YOur golden flops onto the couch mid-afternoon, pillow under one paw, watching you like, “so when are you sitting with me?” So this setup was made for that exact moment.
The nook has a tufted blue linen bench that runs the length of the under-stair space. There is white shiplap-style vertical paneling behind it. The cushions have little illustrated dogs on them (love the touch) and the throw pillows are deep navy velvet. There is a built-in shelf above that holds vintage toy trains.
I really love the way this looks and I’m really excited to recreate it. I’ll have to put a custom bench base on the floor with a drawer underneath. Something made out of MDF and panel molding and painted white would be great. Then I’ll add a 4-inch foam cushion and cover it in a blue performance linen. I also want to add a brass wall sconce on the right side.
Keep the seat fabric stain resistant and washable. Golden retriever owners know that this is not an optional request. Performance linen or an outdoor grade upholstery fabric would be lovely.
The dog-print pillows look oh so cute…and hidden in the pattern is your sanity saver! It makes your nook look styled even on the chaotic days.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @wolflewittinteriors
#10: Zola’s Named Nook — The Under-Stairs Dog Den That Feels Like a Real Room
Your golden retriever always seems to like one spot in the yard. Maybe that corner by the couch, or the little gap behind the armchair. She’s not weird — she’s telling you something.
It’s such a cute nook. I love the custom oak nameplate with burned lettering that’s hanging above the white-trimmed doorframe. It makes the nook feel intentional, not like an afterthought. The walls are painted a warm greige (my favorite Farrow & Ball color, Elephant’s Breath) and there are two floating wooden shelves that are holding a small plant, a speaker, and a framed photo. Zola’s dog tag is catching the light from inside.
I recreated this living room look with a personalized wooden name sign (seen on Etsy, where the sellers will carve them for you for around $25-$40), a bolster-style dog cushion in taupe or stone velvet (try West Elm), a floral throw pillow for texture, and a couple of wall-mounted pine shelves.
Paint the inside a little darker than the color of the hallway walls. This will give a little depth to the space, and make it feel intentional. Add a small LED puck light in the upper corner. It will make the space feel warm even on a dreary, grey afternoon and your dog will choose it over the sofa.
But it’s actually the nameplate that does most of the work. It tells your dog (and every guest) that this space belongs to someone.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @zolathinks
The One Mistake That Ruins Every Under-Stairs Dog Space (And How to Skip It)
But one thing that most people get wrong is designing their space to make it look nice on the camera, rather than to how their dog will use it.
Yep, I did it to my sisters build too. I used hot glue on shiplap, hung the name signs, etc. My sister’s dog walked in once and has never gone back. Turns out that dogs don’t like being in a space that feels like a dead end with no sightlines into the room.
I finally decided to put her bed closer to the front door where she can see when someone is coming in the front door. It seems that dogs are den animals but they still like to watch their territory. Now the puppy stays in his bed.
Also, I wouldn’t put that carpet remnant on the floor. Within weeks of your puppies growing, you will have mud and drool all over it and it will become a bacteria trap. Get a rubber mat that you can pull out and hose down!
Second, measure the lowest point of the stairs, not the average height, as they’re tall enough that a few inches will make a big difference.
Your Golden Retriever Deserves a Clean Home Too
I know you love your dog. I know you love a messy house. I know you love your home to look Pinterest perfect. The two are no longer incompatible!
Pick one from this list, and just try it this week. No biggie. Just one swap that actually works in real dog-parent life.
My cousin told me she cried the first time her couch smelled normal again. I can totally understand. I could almost cry just thinking about how long it’s been since my couch has smelled normal.
Which mess are you most crazy about right now? ? http://t.co/XzV7Xxkae2
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
