Yahoo Lifestyle Pet Influence Hits Home for Consumers, According to Report
As pet parents continue to elevate wellness routines and invest in fashion wardrobes for their fur babies, new data from Redecor shows that a majority are also considering their pet’s aesthetic when making home decor choices.
In a consumer survey taken in spring 2024 with more than 7,000 respondents, Redecor, the design simulator that reaches 8 million users globally, found that overall, pets are dominating the home aesthetically. Citing the huge benefits of having a pet at home, consumers told the company that pets have become a major factor in decision-making when decorating a home extending not only to pet furniture but also to general purchases.
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“The biggest takeaway is that pet-sthetics are becoming the norm, rather than the exception,” said Aino Heinäsuo, head of design at Redecor. “It’s no secret that pets are more integral family members than they ever have been in history, with many younger generations even choosing pet-parenting in lieu of having children. With that, pet-sthetics are continuing to impact the interior design world and really shaping the way people decorate their homes and spaces.”
Nearly 80 percent of survey respondents said that aesthetics are considered when choosing pet accessories, but 85 percent admitted it applies only to a budget of $100 or less. However, 12 percent said they are willing to spend up to $500 on pet accessories.
Notably, pet and home aesthetics go both ways. While most consumers told the company they look for pet products that match their lifestyle, 17 percent agreed that they would go so far as to choose a pet to match their already existing aesthetic. Still, 40 percent of consumers make their pets a part of their decor with custom portraits that they hang in their homes.
When it comes to decorating, 42 percent of respondents said they have made the decision not to purchase an item they loved out of concern that their pet would ruin it. Almost half said they have already experienced the need to dispose of a piece of furniture due to their pet. Heinäsuo said the data points to a potential need for durable luxury options.
Moreover, Heinäsuo told WWD that people have increasingly begun treating their pets as if they are children when it comes to home decorating in the same way that they spend on a pet’s fashion, toys and accessories, beds are purchased to fit their home styles. “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.”
Beds are one of the most contemplated pieces of furniture when it comes to pets as many pet parents want to allow their dogs and cats to sleep on the bed and consider them when making a purchase.
The humanization of pets making its way into home decor is something that Jennifer Kovacs, vice president of design, collaborations and omni experience at Petco, has certainly had her eye on for some time now as pets solidify in consumer behavior as an expression of human lifestyle. Pet humanization and premiumization trends, she told WWD, will continue to grow and show up in unexpected ways across categories.
“It’s no surprise that most pet parents make home interior design choices based on their pets and consider aesthetics when buying pet accessories,” said Kovacs. “They see pets as an extension of themselves and their own style, and this is especially apparent when it comes to products for the home. A rising trend in the design space affectionately called ‘barkitecture’ captures this desire of pet parents to seamlessly integrate pet items into their home’s aesthetic.”
As a major pet retailer, Kovacs said that Petco looks at the “barkitecture” trend as an evolving need for pets and pet parents. Pet products are visible in the home so it’s vital to offer items that meet the consumers’ aesthetic preferences. An obvious example includes pet beds and crates that double as end tables or storage containers for toys which are offered in a range of styles and price points.
Last year, Petco’s fashion and lifestyle brand, Reddy, launched Reddy Kitchen which offers solutions designed to be thoughtful in use and offered in neutral colors that fit the modern home. Petco also caters to pet parents during holiday seasons offering matching pet and pet parent apparel and themed home decor.
“In the future, we can expect to see pets participating in their pet parents’ home and lifestyles in more ways than ever as they continue to be integrated as any other member of the family,” said Kovacs. “Pet parents are seeking experiences that can be shared with their companions and we anticipate that to continue to evolve across categories as consumers incorporate their pets into all of life’s most important moments and milestones.”
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