Cats are cute to have around but what is not cute is pet furniture that ruins your home’s design. It’s bad enough making way for the kids’ toys but do we really need a carpeted monstrosity taking up half the space in the living room as well?
Good news is many clever people on the internet have tailored everyday IKEA products into furniture your cat will love and actually use (no guarantees they won’t like the box it comes in better though).
CAT TOWER
Every cat needs exercise and while you don’t have to punish them (and yourself) by putting them on a lead and walking them around the neighbourhood like a crazy person, a kitty gym or cat tower is a must. Not only will they be able to stretch by climbing, they can also scratch their claws on the carpeted platforms. Plus, they just love perching up high where they can survey their kingdom (and get away from the kids). This option is good for renters, as the pole is held by tension so no screwing required.
Image via: Franklin Cat Furniture
IKEA PRODUCTS YOU’LL NEED: 1 Stolmen wardrobe pole plus mounting brackets to fix platforms, number dependant on how many platforms you wish to have.
If you’re not very handy, you will either need to have carpenter make the platforms or you can order them from Franklin Cat Furniture, the company who can be credited with designing this hack. If you’re having them made, pick out some carpet to be glued to the platforms. Opt for something that’s different to what’s on your floor otherwise your cat will see your whole home as one big scratching play gym. Boat carpet is best, due to its density your cat will love giving their claws a workout on it.
You can find step-by-step instructions to put the whole cat tower together here.
LITTERBOX BATHROOM
A plastic tray in the laundry will do the trick, IF you enjoy having litter strewn all over the floor and out into the hallway on a daily basis. Enter the privacy cubicle (which is actually an overhead kitchen cupboard). It’s like your cat’s own private bathroom, with everything they need all contained in the stylish box. That includes the smell.
Now you see it…
Now (thankfully) you don’t. Images via: IKEA hackers
IKEA PRODUCTS YOU’LL NEED: You can achieve a similar look using the METOD horizontal kitchen cupboard. Just flip it upside down so the lid folds toward the floor. Then, using a jigsaw, cut an opening for a cat flap (which you can pick up at any hardware or pet store), add a litter tray and some bicarb soda to adsorb the smell and you’re done. There’s even enough room to store extra litter.
STAIRWAY PERCH
If you can’t commit space-wise to a cat tower, then a wall staircase could be the way to go. These are easily created using shelves, with some turned on a 90-degree angle to form the shape. You can even cover some of the stairs in carpet so they double as a scratching station.
Image via: Pinterest
IKEA PRODUCTS YOU’LL NEED: The Ekby Hemnes shelf is what you’re after, number dependant on the size of your wall.
HIDEY-HOLE LOOKOUT
Cats love hiding in small spaces where they can also keep a look-out, and the hidey-hole stair system will be their idea of heaven. Best of all, you can actually use it too, for storage (just don’t put anything valuable in there because you know your kitty will just try knock it out).
Image via: Whiskas
IKEA PRODUCTS YOU’LL NEED: The Eket wall-mounted combination system is all you’ll need. At $130 for five cubes, this is a relatively inexpensive multi-use product. Use a jigsaw to cut a hole in one of the cubes, add a cushion and your cat will be fur-ever grateful.
