Pet Adoptions Spiked in 2020—Here’s How to Design Pet-Friendly Homes

Catering design to homebuyers and their furry friends has increased in importance as 2020 saw a record number of pet adoptions. Welcoming a new dog or cat to the family is a decades-long commitment, so designing pet-friendly features into new homes can draw buyers in. Design firm Housing Design Matters suggests considering turf for rentals because of the easy maintenance. Pet doors can also be ideal for homes in some areas or can work well for screened-in porches that keep outside critters from entering the home but provides some freedom for cats and dogs.

FLOORING
Muddy paws, dogs’ claws, sloppy water bowls, and pet accidents wreak havoc on floors. Luxury plank vinyl flooring is dominating the new homes built for rent. Dogs’ claws don’t scratch vinyl like a wood floor. Vinyl is water resistant and cleans up easily. It is also more affordable than tile and doesn’t have the issue with discolored grout like tile floors. Built for rent homes are even putting LVP in the bedrooms.

PET ROOM
Depending on the size of the home, a small pet room – say 6’ by 6’ – might be appropriate. Big enough for the dog’s crate or the cat’s litter pan, along with a place for their food and water. For those wanting to save on precious square footage, we often utilize the space under the stairs for a pet room. This would be a great place for the dog kennel, except most crates are big and bulky and ugly. However, they are now making designer dog kennels (is anyone still shocked at this point?), nice enough to be in your foyer.

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