Best DIY projects and ideas for a cat-friendly home
As cat lovers, we want to create a beautiful, functional home that seamlessly accommodates our lifestyle and feline friends. As an interior designer, I know how important it is to maintain a stylish space while ensuring pets have a comfortable environment. So whether you own your home, rent, or love to travel, these DIY ideas will help you create a cat-friendly space that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
In this post, we’ll explore fun ideas and functional ways to design a cat-friendly home. We’ll start with indoor spaces that blend seamlessly with your decor and move to stylish outdoor solutions like catios. These cat DIY projects ensure your home remains chic while providing enough space for your feline friend to enjoy.
Indoor Cat Spaces: Designing a Chic and Functional Feline Retreat
Create a Stylish DIY Cat Room That Complements Your Home
Want to give your cat their own space without sacrificing design? A cat room is a great way to seamlessly add your cat’s things to your home’s aesthetic.
Whether it’s a dedicated room or a small corner, my blog post “Cat Room Decorating Ideas” offers creative ways to build a cozy, attractive retreat for your cat. Be sure to read that post for some great ideas.
Check out these quick DIY ideas to transform your space into a beautiful home… with cats.
DIY Ideas:
✔ Build a wall-mounted climbing system—Use floating shelves to create vertical climbing space. Cats love to climb and spend time up high. Floating shelves are popular in design and can be incorporated into your home without looking like a cat climbing station. Affix some stylish decor pieces to the shelves while leaving space for the cats to meander around them.
✔ DIY a hidden litter box enclosure – Nobody likes to see (or smell) a litter box. Repurpose an old cabinet or enclosed nightstand table for a stylish litter box solution. Choose a piece that fits seamlessly into your decor and no one will know what it’s being used for.
✔ Make a cozy cat nook –Convert an unused closet or corner with soft bedding and hanging toys. No need to buy ready-made items either. Your cat would love an old t-shirt with your smells on it for comfort. Decorated cardboard boxes would make fun and cozy hiding spaces for your cat. ✔And don’t forget some DIY cat toys to keep them entertained – You’d be surprised by the homemade cat toys you can make with common household items like toilet paper rolls, wine corks, and some feathers from your craft room.
✔ Handcraft a modern cat scratcher –Wrap sisal rope around a sleek wooden post for a scratcher that blends with your decor. I wrapped a shelving board with sisal and I leave it on the floor and they love to hop on it and scratch away. Much better than scratching my furniture!
DIY Cat-Friendly Interior Design: A Home That Works for You & Your Pet
Having a beautiful home and a pet-friendly environment can go hand in hand! My blog post on” Cat-Friendly Interior Design” offers great ideas for homeowners and renters alike. In this post, I give you plenty of ideas to incorporate your cats into your home without looking like you’re the “crazy cat lady.”
Designing a home that seamlessly integrates your pet’s needs while maintaining a stylish aesthetic is possible. Instead of relying on store-bought solutions that may not blend with your decor, consider these DIY projects that keep functionality and design in mind.
More DIY Projects to Try:
✔ Create a built-in cat perch – Use reclaimed wood to install a window seat for your cat. Cats love to look out the window. Give them a place to sit in front of a sunny window to look at the birds and squirrels. It can be as easy as installing a couple of shelf brackets with a board on top or placing a piece of furniture in front of the window that they can sit on.
✔ Handmade cat scratcher wall art –Frame a sisal board to make a decorative yet functional scratcher. I purchased a couple of inexpensive sisal area rugs and attached them to the wall like art.
✔ Construct a space-saving feeding station – DIY a mounted feeding shelf with built-in food and water bowls. This is one thing that drives me crazy in my home. I did purchase a rubber cat food mat, but it’s ugly. This is on my list of cat upgrades for sure. If you have space inside a cabinet for their food dishes, why not give them access so it’s out of sight to guests?
✔ Sew custom cat bed covers –Can’t find cat bedding that works with your decor? Put that sewing machine to good use and coordinate your decor by making stylish, washable covers for a cozy bed with style.
Outdoor Cat Spaces: The Stylish DIY Way to Give Your Cat Adventure
Build a DIY Catio That Complements Your Home’s Exterior
While indoor design is key, outdoor spaces can also reflect your personal style. A catio allows your cat to enjoy fresh air without disrupting the aesthetics of your patio or backyard. Catios also allow renters to offer their cats some outdoor time because they can be lightweight and non-permanent. All you need is a window or door to access them.
There are many catio options to choose from. You can make them from wood and wire to PVC pipes and garden fencing. They can be as big as you want them to be or as small as a box outside a window. Here are two DIY-friendly and Budget-Friendly catio options to consider:
DIY PVC Catio – A PVC catio is a budget-friendly, lightweight, and modern-looking structure. It’s great for anyone who needs a non-permanent catio such as renters, RV’ers, and more. They can be customized to any size and are pretty easy to build. I have detailed instructions on how to build one that you can access through this link, “How to build a PVC catio“
Wood DIY Catio – Wood catios are more permanent, and stylish, but also more expensive. Like the PVC catio, you can customize the size and shape to your needs, but is a more advanced build. Here are some ideas for wood catios.
DIY Decor for a Stylish Catio
A catio shouldn’t look like an eyesore—it can be a beautiful extension of your home! My “Catio Decorating Ideas” blog post offers creative, DIY solutions to elevate the look of your outdoor pet space. Read the post to see lots of really beautiful decorating ideas for your catio.
DIY Upgrades to Try:
✔ Build a DIY cat hammock – Suspending a fabric bed from the catio frame is an easy and great addition to a catio or cat room.
✔ Construct a natural climbing post – Use tree branches to create a rustic climbing structure. Just lean a large branch or small tree trunk from one corner to another for a fun way for them to climb around the catio.
✔ Handcraft a sunshade canopy – Sew a waterproof fabric covering for UV and rain protection. You always want to protect your cat from the elements and this can be a unique way to add some of your style to the catio.
✔ DIY a water and feeding station – Mount bowls on a wooden stand for a neat, accessible area. Or, cut a couple of holes in a board and set your bowls down inside them.
DIY Cat Spaces for RV Travelers
For cat lovers who travel in an RV, creating a cat-friendly space on the go is essential. Whether you’re exploring campgrounds or spending extended time on the road, having a safe and stylish indoor and outdoor area for your cat can make all the difference.
Traveling with cats doesn’t mean sacrificing style or functionality—these DIY solutions ensure your cat stays happy and safe while complementing your RV’s aesthetic.
DIY RV-Friendly Solutions:
✔ Portable Catio Setup – My DIY Portable Catio is the perfect solution for travel, allowing your cat to safely enjoy fresh air anywhere. It’s small enough and is collapsable for easy transport.
✔ PVC Catio – If you have more space, a lightweight PVC catio can be set up beside your RV and taken down when needed.
✔ Window Perch for Small Spaces – Install a secure, removable cat perch on the RV window or basement storage door for cozy lounging.
✔ Hidden Litter Box Storage – Convert an under-seat storage area into a discreet litter box solution. You can also create a tunnel with a cement tube under the stairs of your 5th wheel that leads into the basement storage area which would be perfect for messy litterboxes.
✔ DIY Multi-Purpose Cat Hammock – Use fabric and bungee cords to create a flexible, space-saving hammock that attaches inside the RV.
Creating a cat-friendly home doesn’t mean sacrificing design—it’s about blending form and function in a way that works for both you and your furry friend. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or frequent traveler, these DIY projects help maintain a sophisticated aesthetic while ensuring your cat has enough space to roam and relax.
What Do You Think? Let’s Chat!
I’d love to hear from you! Have you created a cat-friendly space in your home? Maybe a cozy corner, a DIY cat tree, or even your own version of a catio? Tell me about it in the comments below!
I read and respond to every comment, so don’t be shy—let’s talk all things cat-friendly DIY! 🐾
Related Posts…
