Cat furniture can make your home a fun and safe environment for your cat, and it can also add a playful feel to your living spaces. However, cat furniture can often become expensive, and DIY projects can quickly become complicated.
We believe that all cats deserve some fancy furniture, and cat owners shouldn’t have to spend too much time or money on these things. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite easy DIY cat furniture plans. Take a look and see what you can make today!
The 20 DIY Cat Furniture Plans
1. DIY Cat Perch Hanging Window Basket by Hymns & Verses
| Materials: | Basket, plywood, shelf brackets, jute rope |
| Tools: | Screws, drill |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
If you have a cat that enjoys observing the outside world through a window, it’ll love this DIY window cat basket. This cat basket is pretty simple and easy to make, so your cat will have a nice place to perch in no time.
You can also add blankets or cushions inside the basket to make it a more comfortable space for your kitty where it can also lounge and nap. Just keep in mind that you can’t easily stow away this perch, so make sure to pick a location that isn’t going to be an obstruction for you.
2. DIY Scratching Post by Dream a Little Bigger
| Materials: | Wooden pole, sisal, rug, MDF board, carpet adhesive |
| Tools: | Staple gun, craft knife |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
You can get creative with this DIY scratching post by selecting sisal of different colors and fun rug patterns. It can take a bit of time when you wrap the sisal, but your patience will pay off in the end. The final product will reflect your design tastes, and it’ll also keep your cats entertained.
To make this project simpler or eco-friendly, you can recycle an old cat scratcher. All you have to do is remove the old sisal and replace it with the new sisal. If you want to get even more creative, you can repaint the post with non-toxic paint.
3. Cat Condo by HGTV
| Materials: | PVC pipe, wood disks, 1-inch screws, sisal, wood screws, baskets, angle brackets |
| Tools: | Hot glue gun, hack saw, drill |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Cat trees can get pretty expensive, so it doesn’t hurt to try making your own cat tree to save on costs. While it may be daunting to work on such a large project, the instructions are actually pretty straightforward and easy to follow. So, this can end up being a fun weekend project that will score some brownie points from your happy cats.
This cat tree can be as tall as you’d like and includes several cat beds, perches, and scratching posts. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can secure the PVC pipe to the ceiling for maximum height and stability.
4. Cat Tree With IKEA Lack Tables
| Materials: | LACK IKEA tables, sisal rope, glue, screws, chair braces |
| Tools: | Screwdriver |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
If you’re looking for a shorter cat tree, you can always stack a few IKEA tables together to create a multi-level cat condo. You can easily make two or three stories by securing tables together with screws and chair braces.
For additional functionality, wrap and glue sisal to the table legs to create scratching posts. Once you’re done with making the structure, you can add different items for each level, such as a feeding station, pillows, and baskets.
5. DIY Wall-Mounted Cat Hammock by The Merrythought
| Materials: | Wood planks, paint, canvas, screws, brackets |
| Tools: | Miter saw, table saw, sandpaper, sewing machine, scissors, staple gun, drill |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
If you’re short on floor space, try out this wall-mounted cat hammock. It does require a good amount of tools, but the project itself is relatively easy. You can get pretty creative with how this hammock will look. You don’t necessarily need to use canvas as the main material for the hammock. Other durable fabrics, such as denim, will work just fine.
This hammock can also look great next to other wall-mount shelves you might have or add more dimension to a plain wall. Overall, it’s a great way to expand your cat’s living space while also making your wall look more interesting.
6. DIY Cat Tent Bed by Practically Functional
| Materials: | T-shirt, box, metal coat hangers |
| Tools: | Hot glue, utility knife, wire cutters, pliers |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Cats that like dim and cozy spaces will love this DIY tent bed. We like this project because it upcycles materials that you can easily find around the house. So, there’s a good chance that you don’t have to buy anything new to make this comfy bed.
Because this project is so simple and doesn’t use up too many materials, you can easily create multiple beds in a day and place them all throughout your home. Your cat will love the new hiding spaces where it can rest and nap.
7. DIY Vintage Suitcase Cat Bed by beChewy
| Materials: | Suitcase, legs with hardware, fabric, Mod Podge, wooden plank, pillow |
| Tools: | Glue gun, awl, scissors, screwdriver, electric drill, utility knife |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Here’s another upcycling DIY project that’ll make great use of any old suitcases or briefcases you have lying around the house. The main thing you’ll want to do is make sure that the lid stays open, and you can do this by using a wooden plank to keep the lid propped up.
You can really transform the interior of the suitcase by selecting fabric with a fun pattern and using Mod Podge to glue it in place. The wooden legs are optional, but they do add a nice touch that makes the suitcase look more like a bed.
8. DIY Cactus Scratching Post by Nifty
| Materials: | Green sisal, ABS pipe, 45-degree elbow, foam balls, wooden disk, coupling, flushing, wye joints |
| Tools: | Hot glue gun, cement, screws |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This DIY Cactus Scratching Post is a unique scratching post that’ll easily blend in with a home that has a lot of plants or a Desert Modern interior style. If you’re looking to add even more color, you can glue on felt flowers around the arms.
Along with being used for scratching, your cat can also have fun climbing up on the cactus’ arms and stay entertained for longer compared to a standard scratching post.
9. DIY Cat Tree by Instructables Living
| Materials: | Felt, plywood, screws, sisal |
| Tools: | Jigsaw, drill |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This DIY Cat Tree is made in just seven steps. It’s perfect for situating beneath a window so that your cat has a place for window watching and sunbathing. The felt provides grip and some comfort, and you can always add a blanket or cushion for additional comfort.
The basic design of this cat tree is pretty simple, and you can construct it fairly quickly. So, if you have additional time, wrap sisal around the pillar to create a scratching post.
10. Vintage Pet Station by Addicted 2 decorating
| Materials: | Cat feeding bowls, beadboard, caulk, paint (optional) |
| Tools: | Jigsaw, wood glue, pencil, masking tape, hammer, power drill |
| Difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
There isn’t much construction involved in this project, as it mainly works on the base of an already-existing piece of furniture. In the example, a secretary desk is used, but you can use a nightstand, a cabinet, or similar furniture.
This project is incredibly versatile. It allows you to create a feeding station and a cat bed all in one. While you will need to be somewhat comfortable with power tools for this project, the use of the tools is relatively minimal.
11. Suitcase Bunkbed by hallmark channel
| Materials: | 3 suitcases, stair spindles, short table legs, screws, nuts, washers, blankets, pillows |
| Tools: | Drill, power saw |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
If you have a couple of old suitcases collecting dust in storage, put them to better use by constructing a bunk bed. The only tools you will need are a drill and a power saw, but you will need to collect quite a few materials. But once you’ve gathered everything you need for this project, the instructions are relatively simple and easy to understand. If this is your first time using power tools for a DIY project, this plan is an excellent way to practice your skills.
12. Litterbox Cabinet by domestically creative
| Materials: | Cabinet, decorative trim, paint (optional) |
| Tools: | Tape measurer, pencil, drill, jigsaw, miter saw, clamps, liquid nails, sanding tools, paintbrush |
| Difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
This litterbox cabinet may be one of the most effective DIY plans you’ll ever create, especially if you’re tired of your cat’s litter box sitting in plain sight when your guests are around. This project solves your conspicuous litterbox problem by placing it in a cabinet, making it clean for your guests and accessible for your cat.
While this project requires slightly more advanced tools to cut holes in the cabinet, the cuts involved are simple. As for the materials, all you will need is a cabinet, trimming to place around the hole, and your choice of paint (assuming you want to change the cabinet’s color).
13. Retro Cat House & Side Table by Brittany goldwyn
| Materials: | Plywood, pocket hole bit and screws, cloth |
| Tools: | Hole saw, table, saw, miter saw, sander, drill, finish nailer |
| Difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
This project is two pieces of furniture for the price of one: a cat house and a side table. The sleek, retro design of the cat house gives it a polished look that will fit in perfectly with your furniture. Your cat house may blend in so well that your house guests hardly notice it at all!
Although this plan is certainly doable for a new DIYer, it will be easier for someone with more experience. Power tools and patience will be required to get this project looking just right, but the instructions are so easy to follow that it won’t be too difficult.
14. Play Gym by charleston crafted
| Materials: | 1×2 wooden planks, wooden dowel, rope, ribbons |
| Tools: | Scissors, drill |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Do you have a frisky kitty? This play gym is going to be their dream come true!
This DIY project is a quick and easy craft, so beginner DIYers will want to get their hands on this. The only tools you will need are a pair of scissors and a drill, and the materials are simple to find and affordable. This plan also offers a high level of customization, as you can choose what color and type of ribbons you want to hang from the wooden dowel.
15. Hanging Macrame Cord Bed by cuckoo 4 design
| Materials: | Macrame cord, metal hoops, pillow, plant hook, small clamps (optional), wooden beads (optional) |
| Tools: | Scissors, measuring tape |
| Difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
It’s no secret that plenty of cats love to sit in high places. If your cat is among that large group, this hanging cord bed may be a perfect addition to your home.
If you know how to tie a macrame knot, this project will be much easier for you. If you don’t, there are detailed instructions in the plan that will guide you through the process.
Once finished, this project will be not just a comfortable bed for your cat but also a stylish accent piece for your home.
16. TV Tray Bed & Scratching Post Combination by lilyardor
| Materials: | TV tray, wooden dowels, fabric, string, felt, stuffing |
| Tools: | Screws, hot glue gun, drill, sewing machine |
| Difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
Repurposing old pieces of furniture is one of the most satisfying parts of a DIY project. If you have a TV tray that hasn’t been used in recent years, why not transform it into a cat bed and scratching post combination?
This project is fairly inexpensive, and plenty of the materials can come from around your home. You’ll want to be handy with a drill and a sewing machine, but other than that, the project is simple to construct.
17. Cat Ladder Jungle Gym by buzz feed
| Materials: | Wooden step ladder, sisal rope, cat bed, rug, cat wand toy |
| Tools: | Hammer, nails, wood glue |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
If you can wrap, glue, and hammer, you can make this cat ladder jungle gym! This DIY project is a quick and easy build with basic materials. At the most, it may take a couple of hours of your afternoon to complete this project.
The versatility of this project provides plenty of benefits for your cat. There’s the option to make a hammock, a perch, scratching posts, and dangling toys for your cat’s entertainment and enrichment.
18. Framed Scratching Spots by experimental craft
| Materials: | Carpet samples, picture frames |
| Tools: | Command strip adhesives |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This may be one of the best DIY projects for beginners. These framed scratching spots require a mere two items: carpet samples and picture frames. The only tool you will need is command strip adhesives.
This project is as simple as removing the glass from the frame and replacing it with the carpet. Then, you hang up your framed scratching spots to provide wall space for your cat’s claws.
19. Bookcase Cat Tower by instructables
| Materials: | Bookcase, rug/carpet, scrap wood strips, paint (optional) |
| Tools: | Staple gun, drill, screws |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Don’t toss out that old bookcase just yet! With a little bit of cleaning and some DIY work, you can transform it into a magnificent cat tower with all the toys, hammocks, and perches your cat could ever need.
This is an excellent project for a DIY beginner, as it requires limited tools and materials. You can customize this plan to be as simple or as challenging as you want it to be by adding or removing features. Whatever feature you can imagine your cat wanting, you can make it happen!
20. Cat Crate Tower by mother-daughter projects
| Materials: | Wooden crate, wooden tray, wine box, 2×4 wooden plank, carpet, Velcro, wooden dowel, plywood, screws, metal peel and stick tiles, sisal rope, paint or stain (optional) |
| Tools: | Hot glue gun, sanding tools, drill, clamps |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
This cat crate tower may require a few shopping trips, but the end result is well worth it. It takes advantage of objects you may normally throw away and gives them new life in this polished yet rustic piece of feline furniture.
It will require a bit of extra work and skill to complete this project, but for experienced DIYers, this will be nothing you haven’t seen before. Since the project is more time-consuming than others, it may be a great opportunity to employ the help of friends or family members.
Alternatively, if you want to surprise your cat with something cool, check out the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher. It's not just a scratcher; it's a piece of modern furniture that your cat can play on. It's got a curvy design that's perfect for stretching and moving, and it's built tough with strong birch plywood and thick B-flute cardboard. You can adjust it to three different heights, which keeps cats entertained. Plus, it won't break the bank! Our cats love it, and we do too.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Conclusion
Making your own cat furniture doesn’t have to be a complicated process. There are plenty of DIY projects that you can finish pretty quickly, and they also leave a lot of room for your creativity to flow. So, when you’re working on your own cat furniture, make sure to leave plenty of room for fun, and you’ll have some cool items that your cat will appreciate and love.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
The 20 DIY Cat Furniture Plans
