Half of Homeowners Prioritize Pets in Renovation, Finds Houzz
Palo Alto, CA, August 27, 2024-Houzz has released its 2024 U.S. Houzz Pets & the Home Study. The survey of more than 1,000 respondents found that nearly half prioritize pets in their decision-making process when upgrading their home (48%). Considerations include pet-friendly products and materials (34%) and choosing design or functionality specific to their pet, like incorporating space for an animal’s bed or feeding station (22%).
“As pet ownership rates continue to increase, we’re seeing an impact on home renovation decisions,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist. “Whether selecting pet-friendly materials or incorporating built-in feeding stations and cozy nooks, homeowners are designing spaces that prioritize the needs of all family members, including pets. This highlights the important role pets play in shaping how people invest in and customize their homes, often with the help of professionals.”
More than four in five renovating pet owners hired a professional to help with their project (86%). General contractors and specialty trades, such as electricians and plumbers, were hired most frequently (48% and 29%, respectively). A quarter of renovating pet owners hired flooring specialists for their projects (25%), which may be unsurprising given that flooring was the most common project among this group (51%). Landscaping, wall or baseboard upgrades and door frame replacements were also popular projects (34%, 34% and 31%, respectively).
More than half of renovating pet owners made special arrangements for their pets during renovation projects (57%). The majority limited access for their furry friends within the home (43%), and 6% temporarily moved their animal out of the home. Contractors on Houzz suggest creating a pet policy for homeowners and pros to follow during a project to ensure the safety of humans and their four-legged friends.
Additional insights from the 2024 U.S. Houzz Pets & the Home Study are as follows,
- Animal House: More than two in five pet owners have a single pet (44%), however over a quarter have three or more animals in their home (26%). Dogs were the most common among pet parents (83%), followed by cats (33%), birds (3%) and fish (3%).
- Who Rules the Roost? More than three in five pet owners allow their pets in all areas of their home (63%) and a similar share also give their pets free reign over the furniture (60%). While more than 1 in 10 pet owners do not allow animals on the furniture, some suspect that pets take advantage of the furniture when the owner is not home. Pets are more likely to sleep with their owners than in their own bed or crate (47% versus 38%).
- Custom Feeding Stations, Catios and More: Nearly one in ten renovating pet owners added built-in areas as part of their home upgrades, with feeding stations (39%) and outdoor enclosures (34%), such as a catio, topping the list. Other built-ins included sleeping or relaxation areas (21%) and grooming stations, play structures and litter boxes (18%, each).
- Pet Peeves: The biggest pet-related challenges that owners face include an overabundance of fur and hair (65%), followed by tracked-in dirt, mud or other outdoor elements (42%), and keeping pet-related items organized and out of the way (28%).
- Call in the Replacements: Nearly three quarters of pet owners report they had to replace a household item because of their pets (73%). Carpets or rugs are the most frequently replaced items (35%) due to damage by the pet, followed by furniture (17%) and bedding (15%).