BUILDING A PET-FRIENDLY HOME

 

It used to be that a yard and a doggie door was all it took to attract homebuyers with furry friends; not so much, these days. The Millennial generation is waiting until later in life to have children, and instead, they’re filling their homes with animal companions. If you’re looking to attract the animal-loving crowd, there are lots of features you can add to a new construction project – and a sales pitch – that make a home move-in ready for the whole family. Best of all? While you’re making a home accommodating to pets, you’re also building a home that’s ready to welcome families with young children.

PET-PROOF MUDROOM

A durable mudroom or entryway is a great way to start off a tour through a pet-friendly home. Dogs tend to be most excited – and therefore most destructive – when they’re just coming home or just about to leave, so the mudroom will need to be built to last.

Select semi-gloss, satin, or eggshell finish paints for the walls as these are the easiest to clean. Wainscoting will also add durability (not to mention style) to mudroom walls. Poured concrete is a great flooring choice for mudrooms in general, and especially so if the mudroom will be doubling as a designated pet area!

While a doggie door might sound like a no-brainer for a pet-friendly entryway, a pre-installed pet door can be a turn-off to potential buyers. Think about it – the hypothetical family dog could be a mastiff or a Maltese. Instead of playing a risky guessing game, select doors with profiles that will readily accommodate a pet door. Just about any 2-panel door fits the bill.

When the dust has settled and it’s time to show off the new home, use staging to present the project as a pet-friendly place. Put out a dog bed, or stage a storage area for treats, toys, and pet-related tools.

DURABLE FLOORING
NON-POROUS MATERIALS
Unlike marble and wood, non-porous materials like laminate, ceramic, and terrazzo are virtually impervious to paw traffic. These surfaces are cool to the touch, which is great for furry friends who have trouble staying cool in warm weather.
WOOD
Wood flooring is not as pet-proof as you may think; it dents and scratches more easily than the previously-mentioned materials. When building a pet-friendly home, exceptionally hard woods such as hickory, oak, and mahogany should be selected. Luxury vinyl planks are an excellent alternative for homeowners who desire the look of wood without any of the drawbacks.
STAIN-RESISTANT CARPET
Even the most well-trained pets can have accidents, so stain-resistant carpet is a must in any pet-friendly home. A moisture-resistant, anti-microbial carpet pad will help extend the life of any carpet and provide extra protection from odors. Low-pile carpet is better than loop, as the latter can snag toenails and claws.
OTHER FEATURES
FENCED-IN YARD
It doesn’t have to be palatial – just big enough for the family dog to run and stretch her legs.
SECURITY
Self-closing drawers and cabinets keep curious noses away from contents. These double as a great child-proofing feature.
FRENCH DOORS
Glass doors offer pets a view and allow owners to keep a watchful eye even when the doors are closed.
ACCESSIBILITY
Stairs can be a trial for elderly pets. If you’re building a multilevel home, consider carpeted stairways to give them a leg up.
DUTCH DOORS
Dutch doors eliminate the need for inconvenient, unattractive baby gates. They’re also a perfect match for Modern Farmhouse architecture.

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