Dog Bed That Isn't Ugly: Stylish Picks That Still Wash Easily
A good-looking dog bed still has to wash easily. Dress up the bed you have today, then pick a neutral bed with a zip-off cover that fits your dog.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 7 min read
- Time
- 20 min
- Cost
- $50-$150
- Difficulty
- Easy
In this guide
Quick answer
A dog bed that is not ugly comes down to a muted, textured cover that matches your room and a bed whose cover unzips and goes in the washing machine. Dress the bed you have with a throw today to see what you like. The lasting fix is a neutral, washable bed with a waterproof liner, sized to your dog.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Disguise the bed you have
- Cover the bed with a throw or a duvet cover in a room-matching color
- Tuck the edges so it stays put
- Move the bed to a corner or onto a rug
- Wash the throw every week
How long it lasts: Looks better until the throw slips or the first wash. It does not fix a flat, smelly or too-small bed.
A neutral dog bed with a washable cover
Ugly dog beds are usually loud prints and shiny fabric. A bed in a muted, textured fabric blends into the room, and a zip-off cover lets you wash away dirt and smells so it does not start to look worn.
What to get: Dog bed with a removable, machine-washable neutral cover
How long it lasts: Years. The cover comes off and washes, so the bed looks fresh instead of worn.
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What you'll need
-
Tape measure
Measure your dog from nose to base of tail while standing
You have it -
Throw blanket or old duvet cover
A cheap, washable stand-in cover
You have it -
Lint roller or rubber glove
Lifts hair between washes
You have it - Our pick Illustration
Dog bed with removable washable cover
A neutral fabric and a zipper that opens all the way
- Illustration
Replacement washable cover
For a good bed in an ugly or stained cover
- Illustration
Orthopedic memory foam bed
For older or heavy dogs
Why it happens
Pet-store styling
Many dog beds come in loud prints, bright colors and shiny nylon so they look like pet products. They stand out in a living room.
Beds you cannot wash
Sewn-in covers, loose stuffing and no zipper mean owners stop washing, and a stained, smelly bed looks bad in any color.
Fabric that holds hair
Plush faux fur, velvet, fleece and bouclé collect hair, so the bed looks dirty after a day. Tight weaves such as canvas and linen-look polyester let hair brush off more easily.
A bed that is the wrong size
If your dog hangs over the edge or rattles around inside, the bed goes unused, and the dog picks the sofa instead.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
-
Measure your dog
Tool used: Tape measureMeasure your dog standing, from nose to base of tail. Add about 6 to 12 inches to get a bed length. A dog who sleeps curled up can use a smaller bed. Measure the space where the bed will go too.
-
Cover the bed you have
Tool used: Throw blanket or old duvet coverDrape and tuck a plain throw over the bed, or slide the bed into an old duvet cover. Choose a color close to your sofa or rug so the bed blends in.
-
Choose colors and fabrics that hide hair
Tool used: Lint roller or rubber glovePick a color close to your dog's coat. Avoid black for a light dog and cream for a dark one. Smooth weaves let a lint roller or a rubber glove lift hair quickly.
-
Put it where it looks planned
Set the bed in a corner, beside a plant or under a console table, on a small rug. Keep it in one spot so your dog learns where it is.
-
Wash the cover every week or two
Wash the cover every one to two weeks, or sooner if it smells. Follow the care label, and vacuum the bed itself between washes.
When free fixes aren't enough
A throw is only a cover. It slips every time your dog turns around, it cannot protect the foam and it does nothing for a thin, flat or smelly bed. If the filling is worn flat, the bed is too small for your dog or the cover still smells after several washes, start again with a bed whose cover unzips and goes in the machine. That one change makes the bed look good and wash easily. If your dog chews beds, spend less until the chewing stops, because a stylish bed will not survive it.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | Dog bed with a removable, machine-washable neutral cover | a bed you hide, and a bed you cannot wash | Most owners: a dog who sleeps in the living room and a household that wants easy care. | Check price |
| Budget pick | Replacement washable cover in a neutral fabric | a good bed in an ugly or stained cover | Your foam is fine and only the cover bothers you. | Check price |
| Upgrade pick | Orthopedic memory foam dog bed with a washable cover | a good-looking bed that also supports old or heavy dogs | Senior dogs, large dogs and dogs with stiff joints. | Check price |
Dog bed with a removable, machine-washable neutral cover
Fixes: a bed you hide, and a bed you cannot wash
Look for: A zipper that runs most of the way around so the cover comes off easily; A machine-washable cover with a care label that suits your washer and dryer; A muted fabric with a tight weave that does not hold hair; A size chart that matches your dog's length.
- Who it's for
- Most owners: a dog who sleeps in the living room and a household that wants easy care.
- Honest downside
- Your dog chews or digs at beds. A zipper and a thick cover can be pulled apart. See the related page on beds that survive heavy chewers.
Replacement washable cover in a neutral fabric
Fixes: a good bed in an ugly or stained cover
Look for: An exact match for your bed's size and shape, so check the listing; A zipper closure; A tight weave.
- Who it's for
- Your foam is fine and only the cover bothers you.
- Honest downside
- Your bed's foam is flat or smells, or you cannot find a cover that matches its size.
Orthopedic memory foam dog bed with a washable cover
Fixes: a good-looking bed that also supports old or heavy dogs
Look for: Solid foam, not loose stuffing, for older or large dogs; A removable, washable cover; A waterproof liner under the cover; A low edge that is easy to step over.
- Who it's for
- Senior dogs, large dogs and dogs with stiff joints.
- Honest downside
- You have a puppy or a chewer. Foam gets eaten, so spend less until they outgrow it.
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How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on pet bed care and sizing guides, fabric care labels, and the style and washing problems people report in owner reviews of dog beds. We do not test products by hand.
What makes a dog bed look right in a living room
- Color: muted tones such as oatmeal, gray, sage or charcoal. Pick a shade near your dog's coat.
- Texture: woven, canvas or linen-look fabrics hide hair and wear well.
- Shape: a low, rectangular or round bed with a soft bolster looks tidy.
- Cover: a zipper that you can see is fine, as long as the cover is easy to remove.
How to wash a dog bed cover
- Zip the cover closed so the zipper does not snag.
- Wash it with a mild, fragrance-free detergent, following the care label.
- Rinse well so no detergent is left behind.
- Air-dry it or tumble dry on low, then put it back on the bed when it is fully dry.
What to skip
Designer beds you cannot wash
A bed that looks great but has a sewn-in cover or a dry-clean-only label turns into a stained, smelly piece of furniture. Also skip plush faux fur if your house is already covered in dog hair.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a dog bed look less ugly?
What fabric is best for a dog bed that washes easily?
How often should I wash a dog bed?
What size dog bed do I need?
Can I wash a memory foam dog bed?
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