40 Dogs Who Are Having a Way Better Summer Than You

Mitchell Parker - Houzz Editorial Staff

Dogs are important members of many households. That’s why in the past here on Houzz, we’ve compiled readers’ images of their furry friends at home, in the office or on the jobsite, and we’ve even shown you how chihuahuas can teach you a thing or two about design.

But during summer, as we tend to leave our homes for weekend trips and vacations, dogs play an even more essential role in our lives. They become our constant companions, braving the heat, soaking up the sunshine and frolicking in the sand right there next to us on the beach. So we asked for your best photos of your dogs enjoying summer, and, as of this writing, you all shared well over 450 photos and stories. All of them are worth looking at if you have the time, but here are 35 of them that made our day particularly better — mostly they just made us jealous.

Buddies for Life

It’s important to have a companion during summer activities. Just ask punkylemons’ pups, Honey and Chase, seen here enjoying a recent summer evening.

Bgoodhouse took Pippa and Petite, both “Frenchies,” on summer holiday in Paris from their home in Stinson Beach, California. (Hey, I’ve never even been to Paris!)

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Then there’s Benton and Lydia, who have been “enjoying their two favorite things,” owner Samantha says: “backyard romps and road trips!”

From ckelley738: “Our Springer Spaniel puppy, Elmer, loves getting a ride on the lawn mower and helping garden.”

Maxwell, a Vizsla, keeps momahen’s 2-year-old son in sight. Plus, he loves the water. “We take him to dog beaches at least two times a week,” momahen says.

Can you believe this is the first beach vacation for brothers Hank and Django? Owner C Willis has a couple of future beach bums on hand.

Cpergl’s Jake and Zack love the beach, too. And they kind of blend in with seagulls.

Gracie goes on every paddleboard trip with owner ulzbirdies.

“Ceilidh loves everything to do with the water,” says pavlovanova. “Last year she mastered paddleboarding at the cottage, and this year her new sport is windsurfing.”

Of course, summer days can be exhausting. That’s why it’s always good to have a nap buddy. Here, loreli1262’s 3-year-old grandson and 2-year-old Shih Tzu, named Mouse, snooze after a long day.

The Right Outfit

Everyone knows that the right outfit — or costume — is vital to being comfortable on sweltering days. Here Erin Glover’s dog shows off how to look presentable at a swim party.

And here’s another one of Glover’s dogs after what we can only assume was one too many margaritas.

Mktdesigns’ pup knows to come prepared for a day reading on the beach.

“Royal Ascot is the highlight of the English summer season, and Zoey, my husband’s guide dog, obeys the Royal Enclosure dress code on Ladies Day,” says judithjadams.

Here kimu9486’s dogs dressed for the occasion of a backyard summer luau.

Calvin, this Boston terrier, looks dapper no matter what the weather. “He makes us laugh all year round,” says jwidmann56. “Watching him is more fun than going on vacation!”

Maddie, mascherin’s 5-year-old Vizsla, is always up for an adventure. And, um, always clearly thrilled.

Water World

With all that fur in the summertime, dogs should have the option of taking a running leap into the nearest body of water. That’s something Torque here knows all too well. “Torque can swim for hours,” says Clemleddy Construction. “She loves wearing a life jacket!” Good thing, too, because the size of that grin would sink her like a stone.

Dogs love all bodies of water equally. “My two never met water they didn’t want to jump into,” says appytrails. “Including water bowls, mud puddles etc. Fortunately, we have some lovely swimming spots on our property and on state land right behind our house.”

From Elizabeth Romero: “Our ‘Poomation’, Cooper, and his buddy Bubba having a pool party! Both rescue dogs, hanging in the LBC.” That’s Long Beach, California, for the uninitiated.

Here hbrichard’s dog, Sydney, shows how to do the perfect doggy paddle — and take a much-needed nap after.

Jennahealy82’s 90-pound golden retriever, Bradford, takes in a spa treatment.

Klcsantee can’t keep Lily out of the pool. But who would want to?

Now this just isn’t fair! Lynnette Higgins Souders’ 5-month-old Maltese, Tiki, boogie boards at Yoks Beach in Makaha, Oahu! That is, when not riding a Harley, Souders says. Come on!

You won’t find many people swimming in chilly Lake Superior, but that’s fine with Kenai, a young English golden retriever. “True to her breed,” says owner sortatrek, “Kenai loves to swim year-round in ‘The Big Lake,’ even taking quick dips when there are ice chunks floating close by. In the summer Superior is still frigidly cold, but her undercoat keeps her toasty warm.”

Showing Good Form

It’s important to have good form in summer while doing any number of activities, from napping to surfing to shaking the beach water from your hair. Here “Penny perfects the act of doing nothing,” says momirlan. “Pure Zen.”

Whoa. What is going on here? Rkcameron’s spaniel, Wally, presents his extreme shake-off.

Momo Gee’s rescue dog exhibits the perfect form when diving into a pool.

And here Momo Gee’s other pup is, well, um, I’m not sure what this dog is doing, but the form is perfect.

From liz5160: “Honey loves fetching the tennis ball! If she could, she’d do it day and night! She always greets visitors carrying a ball to see if they’d like to play too.”

If this face greeted me, I’d play along too.

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Jaymes, an almost 4-year-old pup, loves water, says owner amschoch. The term “jumping for joy” seems appropriate here.

And of course the art of puppy dog eyes is crucial to master. Here Kalie Hamlin’s dog, Nyla, nails the look while chewing on a toy in the yard.

Here’s rkcameron’s Wally again, mastering the art of looking innocent after stealing his owner’s seat. “As a condo dweller, I practically live on my deck during the short but steamy Ottawa summer, watching the world go by and dozing in the sun,” says rkcameron. “Wally the spaniel loves it too, and has no qualms about stealing my spot the minute I step away.”

And Susan Spittle’s dog, Sam, knows the appropriate form to take when utter disappointment sets in.

What Goes With Leather Furniture

If that hide-covered sofa is making you seek decorating solutions, we’ve got just the pairings for you

 Laura Gaskill - Houzz Contributor

Leather chairs, sofas and ottomans tend to be big, comfy and classic — no wonder they’re a popular choice for living room furniture. But too much bulky leather upholstery can make a space look dark, heavy or just … boring. Wondering what to put with all of that brown or black leather? These ideas should help.

Taylor Jacobson Interior Design

1. Rich painted walls and a Moroccan rug. Peacock blue is a bold (but highly livable) choice for walls, especially in a smaller room — the intense hue enhances and uplifts dark leather pieces. Pair it with a goes-with-anything Moroccan rug, an organic wood table and a gallery wall.

Cory Connor Designs

If you have wood bookcases or cabinetry in the room, consider painting these pieces to match the walls. Or, for a subtler effect, paint only the backs of the bookcases or the interiors of the cabinets.

Wildcard: Peacock blue and orange. Take rich peacock-blue walls up a notch by adding contrasting Hermès-orange accents. Try a pair of footstools or X-benches, or furnish a window seat with bold orange cushions, as shown here.

Morrison Homes

2. Black, gray and texture. To keep things interesting in a neutral space, it helps to really play up texture and shine. Try smoky mirrored or reflective furniture (or a mirror on the wall); a soft, low-pile rug; and a plush faux-fur throw. Shades of gray, black and white make easy partners for a brown leather sofa.

risa boyer architecture

3. Kilim rug. The warm colors and rich pattern of a flat-weave kilim rug helps a leather piece settle into the room. Kilims make an especially dynamic pair for modern pieces, like the leather chair shown here.

Darren Palmer Interiors

4. Charcoal and wood. A deep, dark charcoal-hued natural-fiber rug makes a caramel-colored leather sofa look even more rich and luxurious. Play up a rustic-modern mood with woodsy side tables, wood-framed mirrors and nubby burlap, canvas or wool pillows.

kelly mcguill home

5. Light neutrals. Lighten up a leather sofa or furniture set by surrounding it with soft, warm neutrals, like ivory, cream, sand, beige, wheat and gold. Try crisp white walls, a faded traditional or pale natural-fiber rug, woven shades and creamy linen throw pillows.

Staples Design Group

Even a change as simple as tossing a cream-colored throw over your leather piece can give it a lighter look.

Murphy & Co. Design

6. Rough linen, tweed and velvet. Leather looks stunning alongside rich, autumnal fabrics like tweed, velvet and rustic, nubby linen. If you have a full set of leather furniture, consider breaking it up and using just one or two of the leather pieces, paired with something upholstered in one of these delicious fabrics — the leather will look the richer for it.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

7. Bright, bold pillows. The great thing about black or brown leather is that just about any-color throw pillows can work. Try changing the colors up seasonally, with fresh blues and greens in spring and summer, and warm cinnamon, cranberry and persimmon in fall and winter.

Take It Outside, Inspiring Ideas For Outdoor Dining

Make fresh-air meals as comfortable and genteel as those indoors — and maybe even a bit magical

By Mike Dietrich - Houzz Contributor 

As the days get longer, the temperatures gets warmer and the light gets brighter, our daily routines undergo a radical paradigm shift. Whereas just a month or two ago, we were huddled indoors eating hearty stews, roasted meat and baked potatoes, we’re now ready to spend time outside in shorts and T-shirts, consuming lighter fare. One of the great joys of the summer is dining al fresco, enjoying the cool breezes, the late-evening light, the riot of garden color and the smells and sensations of warm weather.

More relaxed, more spontaneous, more colorful, al fresco dining is a different kind of experience. Here are some ideas that will inspire your shift to the outdoors.

Outdoor dining has come a long way from splintery picnic tables, paper plates and plastic sporks. Nowadays real hospitality can happen outside as well as in.

Dining on the back porch, for those of you lucky enough to have one, is an easy way to transition to the outside, because it’s just on the other side of the back door.

Here a welcoming environment has been created using a modest vintage table, chairs and sideboard painted a perky aqua. Afternoon tea, or an intimate dinner for four, would be a delightful outdoor experience in this cozy corner.

Sroka Design, Inc.

A back porch can be humble, but it can also be grand. In fact, I think we’d have to call this back porch a loggia to do it justice. But what a luscious place to have a summer dinner for 10. This makes me envision many courses, flowing wine, heady conversation and lots of laughter.

The table setting is quite formal, which I love, but I’d be just as comfortable with a very colorful and casual tablecloth and dinnerware.

By the way, do you know the difference between a porch and a patio? Porches are mostly built of wood, are elevated off the ground, traditionally have a roof and are attached to the house. Patios are usually built of stone or concrete, sit at ground level, don’t have a regular roof and can be attached to the house or not.

markdesign, llc

One thing that makes eating outdoors really special is bringing the conveniences of the inside to the outside. This inviting and intimate outdoor patio space includes a fireplace, art on the walls and a sideboard — things not usually associated with outside dining, but that enhance comfort and the sense of hospitality.

Speaking of hospitality, if you’re like me and love to dine outdoors but don’t like sitting in direct sun, shade is an important factor. On this patio in sunny Santa Fe, New Mexico, a shade sail provides a cool sanctuary.

Learn more about this outdoor dining room

Earthwork Landscape Architects

This colorful outdoor dining room in New Zealand affords partial shade for light-sensitive guests, thanks to the leafy bower.

Michael Woodall photographer

Another way to provide shade is with a pull-across awning. This is a great option because it allows for adjustment, depending on the preferences of your guests.

Umbrellas, awnings, arbors and strategically planted trees are all great friends of folks like me who prefer shelter over swelter.

decordemon

It’s not just porches and patios that beckon us to dine al fresco in the warmer months. How about this awesome converted carport?

decordemon

To me, a carport is often an eyesore, but this one has become great additional living space with the creative use of several simple elements. Three different colors of garage floor paint create a very durable “rug” underfoot. Colorful Japanese lanterns hung by string and lit by battery-operated tea lights make for easy lighting without having to hire an electrician. (Yeah!) Simple curtains (they could even be shower curtains) hung on a galvanized pipe rod can be closed against nosy neighbors.

Careful attention should be given to the comfort of garage sale chairs. Paint can always remedy a bad finish, but comfort is intrinsic and important for hospitality, so make sure the chairs have a comfy seat. Some flowers and a perky tablecloth complete the transformation.

Read more about this carport

Aiken House & Gardens

Many folks go to great lengths to decorate their tables when entertaining guests for dinner indoors. “Roughing it” can become a bit more genteel when we take those same sensibilities outside. In this alluring clematis-covered arbor, crisp white linen, flowers, a candelabra and real china make for a very civilized open-air afternoon tea or romantic dinner for two.

And how romantic that an arbor like this isn’t necessarily attached to the house? Maybe it’s out on the “back 40,” down a winding trail and beside a pond … or even 20 feet from the back door but screened by trees or foliage (I’m picturing climbing roses). Somehow that distance and privacy add a bit of mystery and adventure.

Note: If your table is in particularly rough shape, you can put an old sheet under your delicate tablecloth to keep it from harm.

Scot Meacham Wood Design

Another way to add to the hospitality factor is with an area rug. A rug like this defines the space and is something comfortable underfoot.

Notice how the tablecloth, pillow, placemats and dishes all work together to create a very smart, tailored look. The flowers, ferns and lanterns soften the edge a bit and beautifully keep everything from being too matchy.

Atmosphere Design Group

One of life’s ultimate luxuries is an outdoor fireplace, as it makes al fresco dining even more elegant. You can never predict the weather, even in the summer, so if things turn a bit chilly, what could be more right? Just crank up the fire and all’s well.

Of course, most of us aren’t going to have a great, hulking fireplace like the one shown here, but there are smaller, portable ones available that would provide a similar warmth and atmosphere.

I’m inspired by all the color on this table set for dinner under a lush covering of trees. It makes me glad that summer has arrived. The deliciously festive tablecloth, the bright yellow napkins and the flowers all mix to make guests feel special. The whimsical cow sculpture in the background — curious but keeping her distance — is the perfect finishing touch. In this setting you could even serve me Brussels sprouts and I’d be happy!

Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.

If candles aren’t your thing, consider an electric chandelier designed for exterior use.

Amy Jesaitis

Try mixing and matching some colorful chairs.

Maureen Stevens

Or add some dreamy, gauzy curtains and welcome friends and family for a memorable summer fete. Your hospitality will make them feel loved, cement friendships and bring a little joy to all involved.