A cat-friendly home does not need expensive, bulky furniture. With a few affordable IKEA pieces, you can create climbing routes, cozy beds, scratching areas, and hidden litter stations that fit your space and style.
Choose solid pieces, secure every elevated part, and add washable cushions or mats wherever your cat sleeps. The best IKEA hacks for cats combine stability, comfort, and easy cleaning.
Build A Stable Climbing Tower With LACK Tables
IKEA LACK tables are lightweight, affordable, and easy to arrange into a compact cat tree. With proper anchors, grippy surfaces, and comfortable landings, you can turn simple side tables into a safe cat tower or cat condo.
Stacked LACK Side Tables for a Compact Cat Tower
Stack two or three IKEA LACK side tables with the widest, heaviest table at the bottom. Connect the tables with small L-brackets or bolts, then anchor the bottom table to a wall or stud.
Add nonslip shelf liner between levels to limit shifting. Space each platform about 14 to 16 inches apart for comfortable jumps.
Wrap the legs with sisal rope to add a built-in scratching post. Place a cushion on the top platform and a soft mat on the lower level.
This setup gives your cat both a lookout and a resting spot.
Turn IKEA LACK Tables Into a Multi-Level Cat Condo
Create more variety by placing tables at different heights instead of forming a straight tower. Flip one table to make a sheltered nook, or attach a platform to the wall as a floating perch.
Cover each landing with carpet squares or washable fabric. Test the structure by gently rocking it before allowing your cat to climb.
Lightweight LACK tables need extra support, as an active cat can make them wobble during fast jumps.
Create Vertical Routes With Shelves And Stools
A vertical cat wall gives your cat exercise and a safe way to observe the room. Combine sturdy shelves with FROSTA stools or STOLMEN poles, and plan the route so every jump has a clear landing.
LACK Shelves as a Wall-Mounted Cat Walk
Mount LACK shelves in a staggered pattern, with vertical gaps of about 12 to 18 inches. A route toward a sunny window often becomes a favorite cat walkway.
Keep horizontal gaps small enough so your cat does not need a risky leap. Use a stud finder and the correct wall hardware for your surface.
Drywall anchors alone may not hold an energetic cat. Add thin carpet, cork, or rubber matting to each shelf for traction.
Check every fastener regularly.
FROSTA Stools and STOLMEN Poles for Custom Cat Steps
FROSTA stools work well as small cat steps when you secure them firmly to the wall or floor. You can place them between shelves to create a gradual climb, or turn one upside down to form a simple cat cave.
STOLMEN poles can support platforms at different heights when installed according to their hardware requirements. Keep each platform level and avoid sharp edges.
Leave enough space for your cat to turn around. A clear route helps your cat use the cat home safely.
Turn Cube Storage Into Beds And Hideaways
Cube storage provides enclosed spaces that naturally suit a cat bed, cat cave, or tunnel. KALLAX and older EXPEDIT units can serve several cats at once when you add soft liners, open passages, and secure anchoring.
KALLAX Cubes for Cat Beds and Tunnels
Place washable cushions inside selected IKEA KALLAX cubes to create individual cat beds. Leave some compartments open for easy access, and use fabric bins in others as removable hideaways.
You can remove selected backing panels to form tunnels between cubes. Sand any cut edges smooth, then cover them with edge trim.
Anchor a tall KALLAX unit to the wall, especially when cats may jump from nearby furniture onto its top. For multiple cats, provide more than one entrance and resting level.
This reduces crowding and lets a shy cat retreat without being trapped.
EXPEDIT Units for a Private Cat Cave
An EXPEDIT unit can become a private cat cave with a cushion, a fabric door, or a small basket fitted inside one cube. Keep at least one opening unobstructed for airflow and easy cleaning.
Position the unit against a wall and secure it before adding weight to the top. A low compartment suits older or less mobile cats, while an upper cube works as a lookout.
Choose removable covers so you can wash fur, dust, and occasional spills.
Add Scratching And Lounging Zones
Your cat furniture works harder when it supports scratching as well as resting. Sisal rope, textured mats, and a broad window perch can turn basic IKEA pieces into a useful cat lounge.
Wrap Legs With Sisal Rope for a Built-In Scratching Post
Wrap table or stool legs tightly with sisal rope to create a vertical scratching post. Start at the bottom and secure the rope with pet-safe adhesive or staples placed where your cat cannot reach them.
Keep each row snug against the next. A scratching post should not wobble when your cat pulls against it.
Test the legs by applying firm pressure before use. Replace worn rope when it begins to loosen or fray.
You can place the wrapped legs beside a sleeping platform. This makes the furniture more useful without taking up space for a separate cat scratcher.
Make a Window-Ready Cat Lounge From a Stool or Shelf
A stool or sturdy shelf can become a simple cat lounge near a window. Add a nonslip pad and a washable cushion.
Make sure the surface is wide enough for your cat to turn and stretch. Avoid placing the lounge beside cords, unsecured screens, or unstable decor.
If the window receives strong sunlight, use a breathable cover or provide a nearby shaded option. A good cat lounge gives your cat a comfortable view without exposing them to fall risks.
Hide Litter And Feeding Areas In Plain Sight
You can conceal practical cat supplies without blocking access or airflow. BESTÅ cabinets, the IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen, and the IKEA BEKVÄM cart can become clean-looking litter, feeding, and storage stations.
Convert BESTÅ Into a Ventilated Cat Litter Cabinet
Turn a BESTÅ cabinet into a hidden litter box by cutting an entrance into a side panel or door. A hole about 7.5 inches wide suits many cats, while larger cats may need a wider opening.
Sand the cut edge and add flexible trim to protect paws and fur. Add small openings near the upper back of the cabinet for ventilation.
Keep the litter box easy to remove, and line the base with a waterproof, wipeable surface. Place a litter mat inside or just outside the cat door to catch loose granules.
Anchor the cabinet to the wall before use. Never seal the unit so tightly that odors and moisture remain trapped.
Use an IKEA DUKTIG Play Kitchen or BEKVÄM Cart as a Cat Station
An IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen can become a charming cat station by removing unsafe small parts and adding bowls, storage, and a washable mat. You can use the lower compartments for food, toys, or cleaning supplies.
An IKEA BEKVÄM cart offers a mobile option. Keep food on the top level and store treats and litter tools below.
Add locking casters if you need extra stability. Keep the cart away from hot appliances and secure bowls so your cat cannot knock them onto the floor.
Extend The Setup Into Safe Outdoor Space
A catio can extend your cat furniture outdoors while keeping your cat protected from traffic, predators, and dangerous plants. IKEA furniture can provide shelves and platforms, while mesh, anchors, and weather-resistant materials create the safety system.
Build an Enclosed Catio With Shelving and Mesh
Use sturdy IKEA shelving as the frame for a covered enclosure. Attach cat-safe mesh to every open side.
Secure the mesh with screws, washers, or suitable framing hardware so your cat cannot push through gaps. Add shelves at different heights, a shaded cubby, and a scratching surface made from weather-resistant material.
Keep platforms dry and check for splinters, rust, loose fasteners, and damaged mesh after storms. A catio door should close securely, with no gap large enough for a paw or head to pass through.
If the enclosure connects to a window, make the connection solid before allowing access.
Plan Safe Routes, Surfaces, and Anchors Before Assembly
Map the route from your home to the catio before building. Make sure your cat can move through each opening easily.
Avoid unstable parts and exposed edges. Anchor shelves and tall units to structural supports.
Add a roof to protect against sun and rain. Choose nontoxic plants and provide fresh water.
Include both sunny and shaded areas. Inspect the catio often, especially after high winds.
Check every connection for security. Replace damaged mesh and tighten loose hardware as soon as you notice a problem.
