Start Today! How to Begin a Rabbit-Centric "Home Adventure"

1 The Arrival of the "Cageless Era"

Once, the typical image of rabbits involved wire cages with hay and pellets. However, in the late 2020s, a style of keeping rabbits known as **"free-roam"* rapidly spread, particularly in Europe. This trend was driven by a synergy between behavioral research and social media. An article published by Germany's Ippen Digital in June 2025, "Hoppeln im Wohnzimmer: So leben Kaninchen in freier Wohnungshaltung"* suggested that "rabbits, like dogs and cats, can live in the same space as their family," sparking significant discussion.landtiere.de

This trend is the result of scientific observations that "narrow cages are disadvantageous for health and behavior," coupled with the spread of adorable "sofa bunnies" and "under-the-desk bunnies during remote work" photos on social media.

2 Benefits: Increased Exercise and Deepened Bonds

• Exercise Physiological Benefits
  In the wild, rabbits sprint several hundred meters at dawn and dusk. In narrow cages, the risks of muscle atrophy, obesity, and osteoporosis increase, but in an environment where they can run around the entire living room, they can use their whole body through jumping and sharp turns.

• Behavioral Benefits
  Typical "release behaviors" such as digging tunnels (digging), high-speed dashes (zooming), and backflips (bunny-flips) naturally emerge, resulting in lower cortisol levels, a stress indicator.

• Human-Animal Bond
  By sharing a 24-hour living rhythm, owners can quickly detect subtle decreases in appetite or changes in health. Many anecdotes mention that "being together all day allows for quicker trips to the vet."landtiere.de
  
  

3 Drawbacks and Practical Challenges

1. Scattered Fur, Hay, and Droppings

2. Damage to Furniture and Wallpaper

3. Noise from Midnight "Zoom Time"

4. Household Risks such as Ingestion, Electric Shock from Cords, and Falls
   The author of the Ippen article, Kirsten Lemke, jokingly suggests that "bite marks should be considered 'rent,'" but there are cases where expensive Scandinavian chairs have been covered in gnaw marks overnight.landtiere.de
   
   

4 Seven Steps to Balance Safety and Comfort

5 Real Voices on Social Media

• X (formerly Twitter)
  "The cheap cotton rug I bought for my rabbit feels amazing under human feet too, a double delight!" (♥1,200)

• Reddit/r/Rabbits
  "Low-pile × joint rugs make washing five times easier."reddit.com

• Mastodon@animals
  "Moving all houseplants to 2m shelves gave the room a café vibe."

• Instagram Reels
  At 2 AM, an unexpected bunny flip made the owner scream—300,000 views

While positive reports are mainstream, there are also glimpses of "unamusing daily life," such as "sleep deprivation from midnight zoomies" and "keyboard gnawing during remote work."

6 Ideas to Harmonize with Interior Design

6-1 Separate Dirt and Vacuum Paths with "Island Rugs"
Full carpeting makes fur cleaning a nightmare. By laying joint rugs as **"islands"** in front of the sofa and beside the bed, rabbits can avoid slipping, and humans can rely on cleaning robots.

6-2 From Hidden Storage to Display Storage
Using wooden boxes with rattan lids for cord boxes can prevent gnawing and add a Scandinavian touch.

6-3 Close Off "Workspace Behind Furniture"
The area behind furniture is a danger zone with concentrated dust and cords. Install a 15cm wide low fence to physically block access.

6-4 Deodorization and Air Circulation
To combat urine odor, use a circulator with an activated carbon filter at a 45-degree angle, which also improves air conditioning efficiency.

7 Case Studies: Three Lifestyles

Case A 1LDK/2 Rabbits/Dual-Income Couple

• Divide rugs into "islands" and wash only the dirty pieces weekly.

• During the day, the rabbits stay in a pet circle, and from return home to bedtime, they are free.

Case B Maisonette/3 Rabbits/Remote Worker

• Block the stairs with a gate, allowing complete freedom only on the upper floor.

• Set up a cardboard maze called "Bunny Park" in the upper floor hallway, changing it weekly.

Case C Studio/1 Rabbit/Student

• Enclose the area under the bed with color boxes, transforming it into a "burrow zone."

• Float a USB hub 20cm above the floor around the desk, with cables suspended in the air.

Each household reported that the key to success was a layout where **"rabbit-eye view pathways" and "human cleaning pathways"** did not intersect.

8 Basic Routine for Health Management

9 Conclusion: The Concept of Coexistence Design

To allow rabbits to live freely in the living room, a design mindset that balances the triangle of "safety, hygiene, and aesthetics" is essential.

• Safety: Physically eliminate risks of wiring