20 Easy DIY Cat Furniture Plans You Can Make Today
Discover 20 simple DIY cat furniture plans with pictures, materials, and tools to create affordable scratching posts, towers, beds, and more for your feline friend.
Creating DIY cat furniture is an affordable way to enrich your cat’s environment while saving money compared to pricey commercial options, which often exceed $100-$200. These 20 plans use simple materials like plywood, sisal rope, carpet remnants, and upcycled items, requiring only basic tools such as drills, saws, and staple guns. Whether you need a scratching post, perch, bed, or litter hider, these projects cater to various skill levels and spaces, promoting your cat’s physical and mental health through play and rest areas.
Why Build DIY Cat Furniture?
Cats thrive on vertical spaces for climbing, scratching, and observing, which DIY projects provide at a fraction of the cost. Source inexpensive carpet remnants from stores, sisal rope for scratching, and wood planks or upcycled furniture like IKEA tables or old bookcases. These builds prevent destructive scratching on household items and offer customizable designs to match your home decor. Projects range from easy no-sew tents to moderate cat trees, ensuring accessibility for beginners.
The 20 DIY Cat Furniture Plans
We’ve curated these beginner-friendly plans with materials, tools, difficulty levels, and brief instructions. Each enhances your cat’s territory while being space-efficient.
1. DIY Cat Perch Hanging Window Basket by Hymns & Verses
This window perch lets cats sunbathe and bird-watch comfortably.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Basket, plywood, shelf brackets, jute rope | Screws, drill | Easy |
Secure plywood base inside a hanging basket with brackets and screws; wrap rope around edges for grip. Hang securely near a window for prime viewing.
2. DIY Cardboard Scratching Post
A simple, replaceable scratcher using stacked cardboard.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard tubes/boxes, duct tape, optional fabric | Utility knife, tape | Easy |
Stack and tape cardboard into a post shape; cover with fabric if desired. Cats love the texture for natural scratching.
3. DIY Cat Tunnel from PVC Pipes
Fun agility tunnel for play.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| PVC pipes, connectors, fleece fabric | PVC cutter, zip ties | Easy |
Assemble PVC frame and drape fabric tunnels; connect sections for length.
4. Cat Tree With IKEA Lack Tables
Stack tables for a multi-level condo.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| LACK IKEA tables, sisal rope, glue, screws, chair braces | Screwdriver | Easy |
Stack 2-3 tables, secure with braces and screws; wrap legs in rope.
5. DIY Wall-Mounted Cat Hammock by The Merrythought
Space-saving hammock for lounging.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Wood planks, paint, canvas, screws, brackets | Miter saw, table saw, sandpaper, sewing machine, scissors, staple gun, drill | Easy |
Cut and paint frame, sew/staple canvas sling, mount to wall studs.
6. DIY Cat Tent Bed by Practically Functional
Cozy upcycled bed from household items.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirt, box, metal coat hangers | Hot glue, utility knife, wire cutters, pliers | Easy |
Bend hangers into arches, cover with stretched t-shirt over box.
7. DIY Cat Steps for High Beds
Easy access to tall furniture.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Wood boxes or foam, carpet | Staple gun, saw | Easy |
Stack covered boxes into stairs beside bed.
8. DIY Cat Condo from Cardboard Boxes
Budget hideaway.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Large cardboard boxes, duct tape, fabric | Utility knife | Easy |
Cut entrances, connect boxes, cover openings.
9. DIY Cat Tree by Instructables Living
Window-side tree with felt platforms.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Felt, plywood, screws, sisal | Jigsaw, drill | Easy |
Cut platforms, attach to posts with sisal wrapping.
10. DIY Cat Feeding Station on Furniture
Integrate bowls into existing pieces.
Use a desk or cabinet; cut shelf for bowls and bed above.
11. DIY Cat Bed from Ottoman
Repurpose an old ottoman.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Ottoman, pillow, fabric | Staple gun | Easy |
Stuff with pillow and re-cover plushly.
12. Litterbox Cabinet by Domestically Creative
Hide litter stylishly.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet, decorative trim, paint (optional) | Tape measure, pencil, drill, jigsaw, miter saw, clamps, liquid nails, sanding tools, paintbrush | Easy to moderate |
Cut entry hole in cabinet door, add trim, paint.
13. DIY Cat Scratching Pad from Cork
Natural scratcher.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Cork tiles, frame wood | Glue, saw | Easy |
Glue cork to wooden base.
14. DIY Cat Wall Shelves
Vertical playground.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood shelves, brackets, carpet | Drill, jigsaw | Moderate |
Mount staggered shelves on wall.
15. DIY Rope Scratching Post
Standalone post.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Wood post, sisal rope, base plywood | Drill, staple gun | Easy |
Wrap post tightly with rope, secure to base.
16. DIY Cat Tree House by Instructables
Enclosed multi-level house.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood discs, rods, fabric, foam | Jigsaw, staple gun, saw | Moderate |
Upholster platforms with foam and fabric; assemble poles and box.
17. DIY Litter Box Hider from Plastic Bin
Quick cover.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Large plastic bin, optional door | Utility knife | Easy |
Cut entry hole; add pet door if needed.
18. DIY Cat Tower from Dresser
Upcycle drawers.
Remove bottom drawers for litter, curtain front, use top for storage.
19. Bookcase Cat Tower by Instructables
Repurpose bookcase.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Bookcase, rug/carpet, scrap wood strips, paint (optional) | Staple gun, drill, screws | Easy |
Staple carpet to shelves, add hammocks and perches with strips.
20. DIY Super Mario Cat Tree
Themed fun tree.
| Materials | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood, rope, paint for Mario design | Jigsaw, drill | Moderate |
Build basic tree, paint question blocks and pipes.
General Tips for DIY Cat Furniture Success
- Use sisal rope or carpet for scratching surfaces; secure tightly to prevent unraveling.
- Sand wood edges to avoid splinters; opt for pet-safe paints and glues.
- Test stability before cat use—cats leap high, so bolt bases securely.
- Place near windows for engagement; customize heights to your cat’s size.
- Budget: Most projects under $50 using remnants and thrift finds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What materials are best for DIY cat furniture?
Sisal rope, plywood, carpet remnants, and canvas are durable and cat-approved for scratching and comfort.
Do I need advanced tools for these plans?
No, most use basic tools like drills, saws, and staple guns; beginners can start with no-power-tool projects.
How can I hide a litter box stylishly?
Use cabinets, bins, or dressers with cut entries and curtains for discreet, accessible enclosures.
Are these projects safe for kittens?
Yes, with rounded edges and stable builds; supervise initially and scale sizes appropriately.
Can I customize designs for multiple cats?
Absolutely—extend shelves, add levels, or build modular walls for shared use.
References
- How to Make DIY Cat Furniture — Arm & Hammer. 2023-05-15. https://www.armandhammer.com/en/articles/accessories-to-make-your-cat-care-routine-easier
- 20 Easy DIY Cat Furniture Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures) — Catster. 2024-08-20. https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/diy-cat-furniture-plans/
- DIY Cat Tree Plans: Your Secret Weapon — Songmics. 2023-11-10. https://www.songmics.com/blogs/pet-caring-tips-guides/diy-cat-tree-plans-your-secret-weapon-to-create-the-perfect-feline-paradise
- DIY Cat Tree House — Instructables. 2022-07-12. https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Cat-Tree-House/
- How to Make a Super Mario Cat Tree — Catster. 2023-03-05. https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/how-to-make-a-super-mario-cat-tree/
- Designing Your Cat Wall | DIY Cat Wall Ideas — Catastrophic Creations. 2024-01-18. https://www.catastrophicreations.com/blogs/articles/designing-cat-wall
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