The impact of owning pets on American households is growing stronger, according to WWD (Women’s Wear Daily). Consumers have invested significantly in wellness routines and fashion wardrobes for their pets for several years now. New data from Redecor shows most pet owners are now “considering their pet’s aesthetic when making home decor choices.”
Its recent survey shows “pets are dominating the home aesthetically.” Consumers told the company that when redecorating their homes, pets are now a major consideration, including pet furniture and general purchases.
Aino Heinäsuo, the head of design at Redecor, told WWD, “The biggest takeaway is that pet-sthetics are becoming the norm, rather than the exception. Pet-sthetics continue to impact the interior design world and shape how people decorate their homes and spaces.”
Almost 80% of survey respondents report they consider aesthetics when choosing pet accessories, especially if they’re spending $100 or less (85%). But 12 % are willing to spend up to $500 on pet accessories.
According to the survey, “While most consumers [say] they look for pet products that match their lifestyle, 17% agree they’d choose a pet to match their existing aesthetic.” And 40% hang custom portraits of their pets in their homes.
When decorating, 42% of respondents say they’ve not purchased an item they loved because they were concerned their pet would ruin it. Heinäsuo says this data points to a potential need for durable luxury options.
Heinäsuo also told WWD, “We’ve also seen a major increase in pet room interior design, with people wanting to create a specific room in their home solely for their pet, similar to a playroom for children, with all the pet-friendly basics and necessities for their furry friends.”
Jennifer Kovacs, the vice president of design, collaborations, and omni experience at Petco, agrees, telling WWD that “pet humanization and premiumization trends will continue to grow and show up in unexpected ways across categories.”
Sleeping on it
Kovacs calls this rising trend “barkitecture” and says it’s about “seamlessly integrating pet items into the home’s aesthetic.” WWD says beds are one of the furniture pieces most pet parents are concerned about, especially for those who let their dogs and cats sleep on them.
At Petco, many pet owners look for “pet beds and crates that double as end tables or storage containers for toys,” which come in numerous styles and price points.
Kovacs told WWD, “In the future, we can expect to see pets participating in their pet parents’ homes and lifestyles in more ways than ever. We anticipate that to continue to evolve across categories as consumers incorporate their pets into all of life’s most important moments and milestones.”
There are a lot of opportunities here for those in the home décor and pet industries.
Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a media and custom content company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship. Email Rieva at rieva@smallbusinesscurrents.com, follow her on Twitter @Rieva, and visit her website SmallBusinessCurrents.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for Rieva’s free Currents newsletter.
Photo Courtesy: Unipaws
