Nearly half of the UK’s pets now have their own dedicated room where they can relax in peace and store their belongings, research has revealed. A poll, of 2,000 cat and dog owners, found 48 percent have a reserved room for their pets, or a space in the garden.
Just over half (55 percent) want them to have their own “chill out” area, while 34 percent want to ensure maximum comfort, and 30 percent want all their possessions kept in one place.
But for 18 percent, its sole purpose is so that their furry friend’s stuff doesn’t take up space in the rest of the home.
It also emerged 46 percent of pet owners have designed their home around their pooch or pussycat – although 21 percent admitted they are unlikely to buy items just to appease their four-legged friend, if they don’t match the interior style of their home.
The study was commissioned by Homesense – part of the TK Maxx family – which has partnered with Kelly Brook, to launch a pet and interiors content series, “Barkitectural Digest”.
In the style of a high-end home interior magazine, Kelly and her beloved pup, Teddy, grace the pages in a luxury home, decked out with more affordable homeware and pet products to spread inspiration for other pet owners.
Kelly Brook said: “I adore Teddy. He’s family and a big part of my life, so it’s no surprise that there are elements in my home designed around him. It turns out I’m not the only one, and I am thrilled to help inspire others to design their perfect home and pet haven.”
The study also found that, of those who have designed their home around their pet, the top changes they made included moving delicate things higher up (29 percent), adding a cat flap (21 percent), and installing a garden fence (20 percent).
Others have replaced carpets with hard floors (16 percent), or bought scratch-proof furniture (11 percent), while nine percent have even chosen dark furnishings to disguise pet hair.
Nearly one in five (17 percent) have installed baby gates to stop wandering cats and dogs, and 19 percent have covered up pet-inflicted damage with blankets.
However, 38 percent don’t believe there is enough inspiration available to help stylishly decorate their home with their pet in mind, and 75 percent struggle to find pet products that are good quality and reasonably priced.
The research, carried out via OnePoll, also found owning an animal has been more expensive than expected for 41 percent – with insurance and food among the costs that surprised them most.
And 15 percent claim they spend more on their cat or dog than they do on their children, holidays, and their car – with the average owner spending £708 on their furry friend each year.
As a result, 59 percent have had to compromise on pet products due to their cost – especially on food, toys, and beds.
But a Homesense spokesman added: “We’re a nation of animal lovers, and we believe you should never have to compromise when it comes to your pets.”