**Pet Item Storage: An Oft-Overlooked Multifamily Amenity**
These days, adults moving into apartments are rarely alone. Along with partners or children, many renters are bringing their four-legged feline or canine companions into their living spaces.
Multifamily owners and operators are increasingly embracing renters with pets. “Owners and operators have become attuned to renters’ desires to pamper their pets, offering amenities like dog-washing stations, grooming areas, and enclosed dog parks,” said Lindsay Steiner, co-founder of Bradyl Storage Solutions.
However, pet ownership also comes with a need for additional storage—an often overlooked yet essential amenity in multifamily housing. Steiner emphasized the growing importance of providing convenient storage for pet-related items. “To truly meet the needs of pet-friendly renters, it’s time to think beyond the unit and expand storage options for all their gear,” she said.
**Pet Owners Who Rent: The Driving Fundamentals**
Many pets, especially dogs and cats, were adopted during the pandemic and have since become integral members of the family. A recent Forbes study reported that 66% of U.S. households—that’s approximately 86.9 million homes—now own a pet.
A significant number of those households are renters, influenced by factors such as high mortgage rates, rising home prices, and limited for-sale inventory. Younger adults, in particular, continue to rent longer while managing student loans and saving for a future downpayment.
“As younger generations continue to delay homeownership, pet ownership in multifamily buildings will likely continue to grow,” Steiner noted.
**Storing All the Stuff**
While leashes can hang on hooks and toys can be tucked into closets, larger pet items—like crates, strollers, grooming tools, and bulk food supplies—are harder to store in smaller apartment units.
“Today’s dogs are joining their humans for everything—camping, paddleboarding, hiking—you name it,” Steiner said. “Many of these adventures require not only bulky gear for the human, but also dog-specific equipment: pet backpacks, bike trailers, even sidecars for electric bikes. On-site storage offers a practical solution, helping residents stay organized.”
**A Lifestyle-Driven Amenity**
Providing ample pet storage and amenities is more than just a space-saver—it’s a loyalty-builder. “Renters want to feel seen and accommodated; they’re looking for homes that support their lifestyle,” Steiner explained. Offering little touches like water bowls and treats in the lobby, concierge walking services, and dedicated pet storage goes a long way in making residents and their pets feel welcome. “It tells renters that they—and their pets—belong there,” she added.
**More Pets, More Facilities**
The future looks promising for pet-oriented storage solutions within multifamily housing. As pet ownership—particularly among younger renters—continues to grow, these features are increasingly seen as essential rather than optional.
“Many new multifamily developments are including pet amenities by default,” Steiner said. “Being pet-friendly has become a strong marketing advantage, with such listings gaining more interest and resulting in faster leasing.”
Apartment communities that invest in pet-friendly spaces and storage aren’t just appealing to current market demands—they’re also enhancing resident satisfaction and improving retention rates by creating a more holistic living environment that supports the entire household, tail and all.
