Cats love to climb, and they just might turn your living room furniture into their own personal playground. But you can give your kitty a safe climbing space of her own by adding a cat tree to your home. Best of all, you don’t have to go out and spend a fortune to provide your pet with a tree she’ll love!
There are tons of different types of cat trees you can make, regardless of your skill set. Whether you’re a total newbie when it comes to crafts or a woodworking pro, there is a DIY cat tree project out there for you!
Here are seven different DIY projects you can try at home, ordered from easiest to hardest:
- Upcycled Wooden Ladder
A wooden stepladder is already a perfect climbing space for a cat, so it doesn’t take much work to repurpose one for a climbing tree. This Instructables post simply adds a few wooden planks and carpet scraps to give cats plenty of space to lounge and scratch.
- Cardboard Cat Tree
If you have a few empty cardboard boxes and know how to wield a box cutter, you can fashion a pretty cool DIY cat tree that’s basically free of cost. Follow these simple directions on Haute Nature to make a simple two-story climbing structure out of cardboard boxes.
- Floating Shelves
When arranged in the right way, a series of floating shelves can make a great space for your cat to stretch her limbs. Tatiana’s Delights shows you how to make a stylish set of carpeted floating shelves with some basic measuring, drilling and screwing skills.
- Real Tree Branch
If you’re going to build a tree indoors, why not make it out of a real tree branch? This Little Things post shows you how to do just that, and the end result is absolutely amazing! But, it’s important to note that this project does require a good amount of skill and access to a chainsaw.
- Traditional Cat Tree
If you have the skills, you can make a cat tree that looks just like one you might buy in a store — or maybe even better! This incredible DIY cat tree from the Meow Cat blog will wow your cat and your friends.
- Cat Condo
Do you want to take the cat tree concept a step further? Follow the instructions on Bake. Create. Love. to make your cat her own condo! You can even choose a color scheme that will match your decor.
- Cat Tower
If you’re a woodworking pro, you can try your hand at creating this architectural gem from an Instructables post. Your cat can eat, sleep and exercise in this beautiful tower, which is fit for a furry king!
After all your hard work, your cat is sure to reward you with a happy purr as she climbs and explores her new cat tree. It’s a win-win for both of you!
For more on the joys of cat ownership, check out 6 Ways Cats Make Your Life Better.
Shahrzad Warkentin is a life-long pet owner and DIY addict. As a freelance writer, she has had several years of experience covering pet care and health.
