Creating a dedicated space for your indoor cats may seem a bit difficult task, but these 20 indoor cat room ideas can be a great way to help you create a cat room for your cats.
A cat room isn’t just a cute idea—it’s essential for their physical and mental well-being.
Our feline friends need areas that satisfy their natural instincts to climb, hide, pounce, and observe.
A thoughtfully designed cat room or cat-friendly areas throughout your home can prevent these issues while strengthening your bond with your furry companions.
From window perches where they can watch birds to vertical climbing walls that use otherwise wasted space, the right setup makes all the difference.
In this post, we’ll explore over twenty creative and practical ideas for indoor cat spaces.
18 Fun Indoor Cat Room Ideas with DIY Furniture
When it comes to creating the perfect indoor space for cats, you don’t need to spend a fortune.
There are so many ways to transform ordinary areas of a home into cat-friendly zones with just a bit of creativity and some basic supplies.
The best part is that many of these projects can be customised to match home decor, making them practical for both humans and cats.
Create a Cat Tree Tower
Cats absolutely love having high places to observe their kingdom.
Creating a cat tree tower is usually one of the first projects I tackled when helping one of my friends design her cat-friendly spaces.
You can buy beautiful cat trees, but they often cost way more than they should.
I found that making one ourselves was not only more affordable but also allowed us to customize it perfectly for each space.
This became their favourite spot for afternoon naps and watching the neighbourhood through the window.
What surprised my friend most was how much use this gets.
It’s like their own personal watchtower.
Install a Window Perch or Hammock
If cats are anything like the ones I’ve worked with, they probably spend hours gazing out windows.
Installing window perches was seriously a game changer in every home I’ve helped.
For a client in a small apartment, we found an easy-to-install window perch with suction cups that holds up to 40 pounds.
It took us about five minutes to put it up, and her cats were using it before we even left the room.
The window perch also saved her curtains from being used as a climbing apparatus, which her wallet definitely appreciated.
Create a Corner Retreat
Cats love cozy corners where they can feel protected but still see everything going on.
I helped a friend transform an unused corner of her living room into a cat retreat, and it’s become one of their favorite spots.
We started with a small bookshelf, clearing the bottom two shelves.
We placed a fluffy bed on the bottom shelf and left the second one open as a perch.
Then we added a small cat condo next to it and hung a few toys from the ceiling at different heights.
Guests often comment on how cute it is before they even realise it’s specifically for the cats.
Create a Mini Cat Jungle
Turning a section of a spare room into a mini cat jungle was probably the most fun project I’ve done for a client with three very active cats.
We used several potted cat safe plants like spider plants and cat grass as the base of the jungle.
Then we added different textures and levels with small logs, stones, and platforms at varying heights.
My client sometimes hides treats throughout the area for them to find, which keeps them busy for ages.
The best part is watching them act out their natural hunting behaviours in a safe environment.
Get a Litter Box Nook
Creating a dedicated litter box nook has improved both the aesthetics of homes and cats’ bathroom experiences for several clients.
For one family, we converted a small unused closet by installing a cat door at the bottom.
Inside, we placed their litter box on a mat that catches stray litter.
We added a small battery-operated motion light so they can see at night.
My clients no longer have to see a litter box when they have guests, and their cats seem much more comfortable with their private bathroom space.
Make a Feeding Station
Creating a dedicated feeding station brought so much order to what was once a messy corner for a friend with two cats.
Before, she had cat bowls that would get kicked around and water that would spill everywhere
We repurposed a small table by adding raised bowl holders to keep food and water at a comfortable height for her cats.
What works really well about this setup is having everything in one organized spot.
Plus, the feeding station actually looks cute with the little paw print decorations we added to the front.
Get Cat Grass or Indoor Herbs
One client’s cats used to chew on all her houseplants despite her best efforts to stop them.
Adding cat grass and cat-safe herbs to their indoor space solved this problem while giving them something healthy to munch on.
We created a small window garden with wheat grass, catnip, and cat thyme in separate pots.
It helps with their digestion and satisfies their need to chew plants.
What surprised my client was how much entertainment value these plants provide.
The herbs also add a nice touch of greenery to the windowsill.
Add an Enclosed Cat Tunnel or Tube
The day we brought home a fabric cat tunnel for a friend’s apartment was the day we discovered what pure cat joy looks like.
These tunnels tap into cats’ natural love of tight, enclosed spaces where they can hide and pounce.
We positioned the tunnel between two popular cat spots in her living room.
Within minutes, both cats were racing through it, hiding inside it.
The crinkly sound it makes when they move through it seems to be part of the appeal.
What I really love is how the tunnel folds flat for storage when company comes over.
Build a Wall-Mounted Playground
Turning walls into vertical cat space was one of the best solutions.
Cats naturally love height, and having their dedicated climbing area keeps them off bookshelves and kitchen counters.
You can install a series of sturdy floating shelves in a staggered pattern that creates a pathway up the wall.
Cover each shelf with carpet remnants for a better grip, and add a few wall-mounted scratching
What makes this setup so great is that it uses space that would otherwise be wasted.
Plus, it looks pretty cool as a design element in the room.
Turn a Spare Corner into a Room
When I helped a client realise her cats needed more dedicated space, we decided to transform an unused corner of her home office into a cat corner.
We started with a small cat tree in the corner and added wall shelves that create a pathway around two walls.
A cozy bed sits on one of the wider shelves, and a window perch completes the setup.
She often looks up from her computer to find them watching her from their elevated perches.
What works so well about this arrangement is that it makes use of vertical space that would otherwise go unused.
Create Wall Climbing Ramps
Adding wall-mounted ramps connects the cat’s floor spaces to their ceiling space.
Creating a complete circuit around the room that keeps them entertained for hours.
A simple ramp from wood planks covered with carpet for traction.
Just install them at gentle angles between platforms so even the older cats can navigate them easily.
Some have small side walls to prevent accidental falls.
The cats race up and down these ramps, chasing each other or carrying toys.
It’s like a real-life game of cat parkour, watching them navigate their domain.
Get a Storage Bench for Things
Keeping all the cat supplies organized was a challenge for a friend until we added a storage bench under the window in her cat room.
This simple bench addition has made a huge difference in both functionality and appearance.
The top opens for easy access, and we added some cute baskets inside to keep everything sorted.
Her cats have somehow figured out that their toys are stored in this bench.
Sometimes she catches them pawing at the lid when they want something specific to play with.
What works so well about this setup is that it hides all the cat clutter while still keeping it accessible.
DIY a Cardboard Castle
One rainy weekend, I helped a friend build her cats a cardboard castle using boxes she’d been saving.
This project cost almost nothing but has provided months of entertainment.
We cut doorways between connected boxes and created multiple levels by stacking them securely.
Some openings are large for easy access, while others are just big enough for a cat to squeeze through, which they love.
We even added a drawbridge using a piece of cardboard attached with a string.
The cats spend hours playing hide and seek in their castle.
When pieces wear out, she simply replaces that section with new cardboard.
It’s probably the most cost-effective cat entertainment we’ve ever created.
Install Scratching Posts and Pads
Protecting furniture meant providing plenty of appropriate scratching options for one client’s two maine coons.
We’ve integrated scratching surfaces throughout their space in different shapes and textures.
We placed tall sisal rope posts near their favorite napping spots and horizontal corrugated cardboard pads in areas where they like to stretch.
One cat loves the tall sisal posts while the other prefers the cardboard pads.
Cats need to scratch when they wake up from naps or during play, so having options nearby at all times prevents unwanted scratching elsewhere.
Provide a Cozy Cat Cave or Tent
Every cat needs a private retreat, so for a client with a shy rescue cat, we added several cozy hiding spots throughout their space.
These little caves give them security and comfort, especially during stressful times like thunderstorms or when they have visitors.
We placed a soft cave bed in a quiet corner and a teepee style tent near their play area.
It’s amazing how often they use these spaces.
It seems to give them a sense of security having their own private territory.
These hideaways have become their personal sanctuaries within the shared home.
Make an Entertainment Center
I created a dedicated entertainment wall for a client whose cats were home alone during her long work days.
This keeps them engaged even when she’s not home to play with them.
The entertainment center includes hanging toys on elastic cords, a track ball they can bat around, and some puzzle feeders that dispense treats when manipulated correctly.
What my client loves about this setup is that it can be refreshed easily by rotating different toys in and out.
It’s like giving them new toys without actually buying anything new.
Create a Mini Living Room
One of my most whimsical projects for a client was creating a tiny living room just for her cats.
This miniature setup makes her smile every time she sees it, and the cats actually use it constantly.
We found small pet-sized furniture, including a tiny sofa and armchair.
We arranged these pieces on a small area rug with a little coffee table in the center.
They somehow seem to understand that these pieces are scaled just for them.
They’ll sprawl across the tiny sofa or curl up in the armchair just like humans would.
Add an Air Purifier or Deodorizer
Keeping the cat room fresh was important for the cats, so adding an air purifier specifically designed for pet areas is a must.
For my friend’s cat room, we placed the purifier near the litter box area where it can do the most good.
It runs quietly in the background, filtering out dust, dander, and odours.
He also added some natural deodorizers, like bamboo charcoal bags, in strategic locations.
This makes the space more pleasant for both the cats and human visitors.
It’s a small investment that greatly improves the environment for everyone.
Are window perches good for cats?
Window perches are absolutely wonderful for indoor cats.
I’ve installed them in nearly every cat room I’ve helped design, and they quickly became the cats’ favorite spots.
A window perch gives them a front row seat to all the neighbourhood activity while keeping them safely indoors.
Cats follow the sun patches throughout the house, and having designated perches in sunny windows gives them comfortable places to enjoy the warmth.
When cats have interesting things to watch, they’re less likely to create their own mischievous entertainment by knocking things off shelves or scratching furniture.
How to make a window sill more comfortable for a cat?
When I noticed my clients’ cats squeezing onto narrow window sills, I knew we needed to make these spots more comfortable for them.
You can add soft padding to each window sill.
This simple cushion makes a huge difference in comfort, especially for longer lounging sessions.
For narrow sills, we installed small shelf extensions that give the cats more space to stretch out.
Small tension rods with light fabric work perfectly for this.
We also added grip to slippery surfaces.
Some window sills are slick, which made the cats nervous.
A non-slip mat underneath their cushions solved this problem completely.
Now they can jump up without fear of sliding off.
How high should I put a cat hammock?
Finding the right height for cat hammocks took some experimentation in different homes I’ve worked on.
After trying different heights, I found what works best for various cats and spaces.
For adult cats with good mobility, I mount hammocks about 3 to 4 feet off the ground.
This height is easily accessible for jumping but still gives them that elevated feeling they love.
What I’ve learned is that the ideal height often depends on what’s below and around the hammock.
I make sure there’s open space for easy jumping access and that the hammock connects logically to other cat features in the room.
Creating pathways between hammocks and other elevated spots makes the entire setup more usable.
Conclusion
Creating special spaces for indoor cat room ideas has been one of the most rewarding projects I’ve helped friends and clients tackle.
We usually start small with simple window perches and scratching posts.
As they see how much joy these additions bring their cats, we gradually expand to more elaborate features like wall climbing systems and dedicated cat corners.
Each new element seems to unlock more playful behavior and contentment in the cats.
Those anxious behaviors, like excessive grooming and restlessness, have virtually disappeared for many of my clients’ cats.
For anyone considering creating cat-friendly spaces, my advice is to start by observing what your cats naturally try to do in your home.
A happy cat truly does make a happy home.
