Nearly half of UK pets have their own room to relax in from page 38 Watch Video

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✓ Published: 23-Apr-2024

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Nearly half of the UK’s pets now have their own dedicated room where they can relax in peace and store their belongings, research has revealed.<br/><br/>A poll, of 2,000 cat and dog owners, found 48 per cent have a reserved room for their pets or a space in the garden. <br/><br/>Just over half (55 per cent) want them to have their own 'chill out' area, while 34 per cent want to ensure maximum comfort. <br/><br/>And 30 per cent want all their possessions kept in one place.<br/><br/>But for 18 per cent, its sole purpose is so their stuff doesn’t take up space in the rest of the home. <br/><br/>It also emerged 46 per cent of pet owners have designed their home around their pet, although 21 per cent admitted they are unlikely to buy items to appease their furry friend that don’t match their interior style. <br/><br/>The study was commissioned by Homesense - part of the TK Maxx family - which has partnered with Kelly Brook, to launch a pet and interiors content series ‘Barkitectural Digest’. <br/><br/>In the style of a high-end home interior magazine, Kelly and her beloved pup, Teddy, grace the pages in a luxury home decked out with more affordable homeware and pet products to spread inspiration for other pet owners. <br/><br/>Kelly Brook said: “I adore Teddy. He’s family and a big part of my life he is, so it’s no surprise that there are elements in my home designed around him. <br/><br/>“It turns out I’m not the only one, and I am thrilled to help inspire others to design their perfect home and pet haven.” <br/><br/>The study also found of those who have designed their home around their pet, top changes included moving delicate things higher up (29 per cent), adding a cat flap (21 per cent) and installing a garden fence (20 per cent).<br/><br/>Others have replaced carpets with hard floors (16 per cent) or bought scratch proof furniture (11 per cent), while nine per cent have even chosen dark furnishings to disguise pet hair. <br/><br/>Nearly one in five (17 per cent) have installed baby gates to stop wandering cats and dogs and 19 per cent have covered up pet inflicted damage with blankets. <br/><br/>However, 38 per cent don’t believe there is enough inspiration available to help stylishly decorate their home with their pet in mind. <br/><br/>And 75 per cent struggle to find pet products that are good quality and reasonably priced. <br/><br/>The research, carried out via OnePoll, found owning an animal has been more expensive than expected for 41 per cent, with insurance and food among the costs that surprised them most. <br/><br/>While 15 per cent claim they spend more on their cat or dog than they do on their children, holidays and their car, with the average owner spending £708 on their furry friend a year. <br/><br/>As a result, 59 per cent have had to compromise on pet products due to their cost - especially on food, toys and beds. <br/><br/>A Homesense spokesperson added: “We’re a nation of animal lovers, and we believe you should never have to compromise when it comes to your pets.\