In Australia and around the world, pets are becoming more popular and more valued, and often influencing financial decisions. Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, with 61% of households owning a pet today, according to the Pet Association of Australia (PIAA). With a pet population of 29 million in 2022, the fur baby is one the rise and impacting our lives in more ways than one.
Australians spend over $13 billion a year on their fur babies according to the PIAA, with the RSPCA estimating the average cost of owning a dog to be around $25,000 over the course of its lifetime.
With two-thirds of households regarding their pet as part of the family, it is no wonder home design is changing to suit the needs of the fur baby. In our home designs, The Palm Springs and The Cabin the furry member of the family gets their own dedicated ‘pet place’ complete with a custom-designed bed and cabinetry which includes a slide-out food drawer and ample space to store pet items as well as pet shower.
We spoke to our Innovation and New Product Designer, Joseph Calasara, about his inspiration behind the pet zone in The Palm Springs, and his predictions around the impact this will have on the future of home design.
“The Palm Springs pet zone was designed to make the most of the space,” he said. “There is a dedicated space for a pet which will create a more organised area and hide clutter. Located in the laundry, it is the perfect spot for cleaning and washing your dog with direct access to the outside.”
Pets have become highly valued and are often considered a member of the family. They have become incredibly important when making purchasing decisions such as where to live and when building a home, and Joseph believes the impact on the future of home design will be exponential.
“The pet zone will become more and more popular in residential design in the future,” he said. “The includion of them in our display homes will influence design specifications into our clients’ homes as people become aware of the benefits in their design.”
If you’re thinking of incorporating your pet’s needs into your next build, a simple pet zone isn’t the only opportunity to enhance your fur baby’s life in your new home. “Other elements that could be added to accommodate one’s fur baby include pet doors, pet shower zones, and a good outdoor exercise and play area,” Joseph said.
