Published: 9/10/18
Topics: Interior Design
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.
