19 Free DIY Cat Tree Ideas You Can Build Today (With Pictures)

Cats are known for their love of climbing. Maybe your kitty enjoys dangling from a branch, pretending to be a tiger, or watching the world go by from an elevated position. Cat trees provide enrichment for your cat, allowing them to play and relax. Many cats prefer to sleep in an elevated position, and cat trees provide the perfect place for them to feel safe and secure.

We’ve rounded up the best DIY Cat Tree Ideas we can find online today. And the good news is they’re all free! So, from an adorable small tree based on a cactus to an epic design using a natural tree trunk as the central feature, choose your favorite and learn how to build a cat tree of your very own!

For each plan, we’ve included the approximate level of DIY skill required, along with the materials and tools you’ll need to get started. Now, let's get going on the cat tower plans!

The 19 DIY Cat Tree Ideas (With Plans)

1. Cactus DIY Cat Tree by Nifty on BuzzFeed

There’s no need to worry about your cat picking up prickles from this cute Cactus Cat Tree plan from Tracy Raetz and Nifty on BuzzFeed.

Feel free to match the felt flowers to your house décor, and add a little catnip before watching your cat climb this fun cactus.

2. Cat Tree With Dual Condos by Eamon Walsh DIY

This dual condo DIY cat tree from Eamon Walsh DIY is the ultimate project for spoiling your pet. It’s complete with numerous levels, platforms, scratching posts, and toys to keep your cat entertained.

3. 21 Step DIY Cat Tree by Instructables

Linda Rose on Instructables made this large cat tree mainly using recycled and reclaimed materials. With multiple platforms and cozy spots for your cat to hide in, this design is ideal if you have plenty of room to spare.

4. Driftwood Cat Tree by Juns Kitchen

If you’re fortunate enough to live by the sea, grab the next piece of driftwood you find washed up on the beach and tackle this driftwood cat tree project. The most time-consuming part of this project is finding and prepping the perfect pieces of wood.  

5. Real DIY Cat Tree Plans by Brittany Goldwyn

If your indoor cat loves the feel of natural branches beneath their paws, treat them to this real cat tree by Brittany Goldwyn. This impressive cat tree plan features 3 platforms, faux vines, sisal scratching posts, and a rocky base.

Brittany suggests avoiding the faux vines if you think your cat might have a nibble!

6. Real Tree Cat Tree by Imgur User Sliphur

This cat tree from Imgur user Sliphur utilizes a real tree the original creator sourced from their own yard. This project is quite involved and requires a level of comfort with power tools and advanced carpentry, but the result is stunning.

7. Tree Branch Cat Tree by Your Old Pal Mick

While this tree branch cat tree from Your Pal Mick requires quite a few tools and someone with experience operating said tools, the end result is a gorgeous cat tree that doubles as a piece of art for your home.

8. Glass-Legged Cat Tree Litter Box by Norris Chan

This unique glass-legged cat tree from YouTuber Norris Chan will double as a hidden litter box and statement piece for your home. If you’re not comfortable with a tabletop saw (or don’t have access to one), ask your local hardware store to cut the wood for you.

9. HGTV DIY Cat Tree With Basket Beds

This Cat Tree With Basket Beds from HGTV features a simple plan that uses a PVC pipe to create a tall tree. At various heights, there are cute baskets for your cat to take a nap.

10. WikiHow Ladder Cat Tree

If you have an old wooden ladder waiting to be discarded, WikiHow has an excellent tutorial with complete instructions for converting it into a stunning multi-level cat tree for your lucky furry friend.

11. Southern Revivals Cat Tree Play Tower

This beautiful, minimalistic cat tree play tower from Southern Revivals incorporates natural branches alongside plenty of space for your cat to play and relax.

12. Instructables Cheap And Cheerful Cat Tree

If you’re looking to make a cat tree on a budget, this cheap and cheerful version from Instructables uses a range of reclaimed materials, including an old kitchen unit. Feel free to substitute any of the materials with something else you have in your garage.

13. Hallmark Channel Wood Ladder Cat Tree

By combining two wooden ladders, this clever cat tree plan from Paige Hemsis on the Hallmark Channel lets you easily build this cat tree in an afternoon or less.

14. Instructables Wall-Mounted Cat Tree

This Wall-Mounted Cat Tree on the Instructables site is an excellent choice if you have an energetic cat and need a tree that will stand up to some serious climbing! By fixing the platforms of this tree to the wall, it’s stronger and sturdier than your average cat tree.

15. DIY Star Trek Themed Cat Tree

Do you want your cat to live long and prosper? Would a nerdy cat tree fit right in with your home décor? If so, this Instructables Star Trek cat tree might be perfect. It’s built to look like the Starship Enterprise and Romulan Bird of Prey.

This iconic tree is perfect for your cat to have out-of-this-world adventures. The detailed instructions for this tree include schematics, measurements, and handy tips to make the assembly easier than it looks.

16. DailyPaws Easy DIY Cat Tree

This chic cat tree is the perfect addition to a modern, polished living room. It has a beautiful balance of form and function, with a rustic pet cave and a cozy cradle suspended in a wooden frame.

By switching up the colors and materials, it can fit in any style of home, and it’s perfect for cats who love to sleep and snuggle elevated. This tree doesn't include scratching spots, so it’s essential to ensure you also have a scratching post available.

17. Hometalk Custom Cat Tower and Toy Storage

This farmhouse-style cat tree is a great DIY project that’s sure to stand out. We love the white and brown coloring they chose here, but you can customize it to match your needs. The wooden tray at the top of the tower makes a perfect perch, while the crates provide an excellent hiding place without being too closed off.

Finally, a small, lidded wine box near the tree's base has a step up while hiding a handing storage space. The instructions walk you through making an exact replica, but they also give ideas for customization and creativity to help you work with what you have. This DIY is also full of clever tips—like attaching carpet squares with Velcro for easy cleaning—so make sure to check it out even if you go with another plan.

18. Small Space Stool Tree

This easy cat stool is cheap, cheerful, and simple to upcycle from the materials you have on hand. With no significant woodworking and many ways to customize it, it’s perfect for a beginner. The top of the stool is turned into a great padded cat perch, a fleecy hammock is hung from the bars beneath, and the legs are turned into scratching posts.

A pair of bristle brushes with the handles sawed off encourages your cat to rub up against one leg, and cat toys can be hung from the middle of the stool. If you have a larger cat, this tree might be too small and unsteady, but smaller cats will love it.

How to Assemble a Cat Tree

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!

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! A list of inventive DIY cat towers and trees. We hope you enjoyed our round-up of the best free DIY cat tree plans, and hopefully, you now know how to build a cat tree from scratch!

Regardless of your DIY skill level, there’s a cat tree plan to suit you, from a PVC cat tree plan to one using real branches for a touch of the outdoors.

And the good news is we can almost guarantee that your cat will be happy with whichever you choose!

Related Reads:

• Best Eco-Friendly Cat Trees — Reviews & Top Picks

• DIY PVC Cat Tree Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock