Design

 Creating a Pet-Friendly STR Without Sacrificing Style

October 15, 2025

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🌴 Welcome to the New Era of Luxury — with Paw Prints

The front door swings open to the scent of salt air and the soft padding of paws on tile. Your golden retriever trots ahead to the screened patio, where sunlight pours across a minimalist lounge chair and a discreet bowl tucked into a wooden feeding nook.

This isn’t just a pet-friendly rental — it’s a design statement.

In 2025, pet-friendly travel has become a defining feature of luxury short-term rentals (STRs). According to AirDNA’s latest market report, listings that welcome pets consistently outperform others in occupancy and guest satisfaction. But there’s a catch: welcoming pets doesn’t mean surrendering to chew marks, fur, or chaos.

Instead, a new wave of STR hosts — especially across South Florida’s coastal cities — are designing spaces that are as durable as they are dazzling.

🐶 The Rise of Pet-Friendly Travel

Gone are the days when travelers hesitated to bring pets on vacation. Airbnb now lists “Pet-Friendly Play” among its top-searched amenities, and Rently’s 2025 design study revealed that nearly 70% of renters decorate with their pets in mind.

What’s behind this shift?

  • Lifestyle alignment: For many, pets are family — not accessories.
  • Work-from-anywhere travelers: Digital nomads prefer destinations that allow them to travel longer, with pets in tow.
  • Emotional comfort: Guests value properties that feel like home for both them and their furry companions.

In markets like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Florida Keys, offering a well-designed, pet-friendly STR isn’t a niche — it’s smart hospitality.

🎨 Design Meets Durability: Style That Stands the Test of Paws

The secret to a pet-friendly STR lies in smart material choices that resist wear — while keeping the coastal aesthetic alive.

Floors that flow:

Swap carpet for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or porcelain tile — both mimic natural textures while resisting scratches and moisture. Light sand or driftwood tones hide fur and blend seamlessly into South Florida’s breezy palette.

Fabrics that forgive:

Performance textiles like Crypton or Sunbrella deliver stain resistance without the plastic sheen. For seating, faux leather or slipcovered sofas make cleanup effortless.

Colors that calm:

Neutral hues — beige, soft taupe, sage, and powder blue — conceal pet hair while creating a serene, spa-like feel. Add textured throws or woven baskets to layer warmth without clutter.

Smart layout tips:

  • Design an entry “mudroom corner” with hooks for leashes and a washable mat.
  • Include built-in feeding drawers under the kitchen island or laundry zone.
  • Use rounded furniture edges — safer for pets and easier to maintain.

Case Study: Coastal Vacation Properties — Southwest Florida

(Source: Luxury Travel Magazine)

Few have mastered the art of balancing luxury and pet comfort like Coastal Vacation Properties in Southwest Florida. Their portfolio includes high-end beach rentals that don’t just tolerate pets — they welcome them with intention.

Each property features screened-in lanais, durable porcelain flooring, and minimalist décor that withstands sandy paws. Outdoor decks are lined with subtle fencing for safety, while interiors retain a calm, resort-like elegance.

One of their standout homes — a waterfront villa near Fort Myers — blends warm neutrals with organic materials like bamboo and linen. A sleek, washable rug anchors the living space, while a sculptural dog bed fits seamlessly beside the sectional. Even the patio includes a pet rinse station disguised within the landscaping.

Guests consistently praise the design balance:

“It’s rare to find a place that’s this beautiful and pet-friendly. You can tell the hosts thought about every detail — from the washable furniture to the fenced deck for our lab.”

Lesson for STR owners: Coastal Vacation Properties proves that “pet-friendly” can enhance, not diminish, brand luxury. Their approach shows how thoughtful design becomes part of the experience — one that travelers love to photograph and share.

🪞 Aesthetic Harmony: Conceal, Don’t Compromise

The best pet-friendly designs make convenience invisible. Hidden litter compartments, integrated storage benches, and stylish ceramic water bowls double as décor.

Try these aesthetic tricks:

  • Pet beds that match the palette: Choose fabric covers in neutral or coastal hues.
  • Discreet storage: Woven baskets hide toys while adding texture.
  • Vertical décor: Wall hooks and shelving keep essentials off the floor and in easy reach.

Even pet-safe plants like areca palms or spider plants can elevate the atmosphere while keeping spaces fresh and photogenic.

🧼 Freshness & Cleanliness — The Silent Luxury

A luxury rental’s charm vanishes the moment guests detect pet odors or excess fur. That’s why design needs to extend beyond surfaces.

Pet-safe cleaning integration:

Equip homes with discreet grooming wipes, odor-neutralizing sprays, and compact vacuums. Choose HEPA-filtered air purifiers that blend with décor (Dyson or Blueair models are both functional and aesthetic).

Washable everything:

Removable sofa covers, layered throw blankets, and machine-washable rugs make turnover simple for hosts and invisible to guests.

Scent strategy:

Subtle fragrances like linen or sandalwood candles — never artificial pet sprays — elevate atmosphere while masking residual smells.

🌿 Extending Comfort Outdoors

For South Florida rentals, outdoor flow is where the pet-friendly experience shines.

  • Fenced patios or screened lanais let pets explore safely.
  • Outdoor rinse stations (styled like spa fountains) keep fur clean after beach walks.
  • Turf or gravel zones allow quick cleanup while blending with tropical landscaping.
  • Pet-safe furniture materials — teak, resin wicker, or metal — hold up to claws and weather.

🌟 The Guest Experience Difference

Today’s travelers are drawn to stays that anticipate needs before they’re spoken. For pet parents, that means a few thoughtful touches make all the difference:

  • A small “Pet Welcome Basket” — treats, toys, and a note with local pet-friendly cafés and parks.
  • A QR code linking to nearby vets, walking routes, or grooming services.
  • Photo-worthy spots — a stylish bed near a window or patio where guests can capture their pet relaxing in paradise.

Those details inspire repeat bookings and five-star reviews like:

“The space was so chic, but our pup felt at home instantly. We’ve already booked again!”

💰 Beauty, Function, and ROI

Pet-friendly STRs aren’t just about kindness — they’re a business advantage.

According to AirDNA’s 2025 trend analysis, properties listed as pet-friendly see up to 12% higher occupancy and longer average stays. Adding a pet fee or deposit further offsets maintenance costs without impacting guest satisfaction.

Aesthetic durability becomes the true ROI: fewer replacements, better reviews, and a stronger brand identity rooted in inclusivity.

Creating a pet-friendly STR isn’t about installing gates or laying vinyl floors — it’s about designing with empathy and imagination.

When a traveler and their dog step into a space that feels both luxurious and welcoming, they remember it — they photograph it — they come back.

In South Florida’s evolving vacation market, that’s the new definition of luxury: homes that love as openly as the people (and pets) who visit them.

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