Cat Rooms Are 2022's Biggest Pet Trend—Here's How to Make One

Ideally, the cat room is a spare bedroom with enough space to build horizontally and vertically. If you don’t have a spare room, consider incorporating cat room elements into an office or second bedroom. Try to pick a space with a window that offers sunshine during part of the day (and perhaps a view of a tree full of birds and squirrels). Large closets are also excellent opportunities to get really creative with vertical space.

If pressed for space, it’s totally possible to incorporate a cat room into an existing room. Tryside tablesorend tablesoutfitted with cat beds. Turn the top of a bookshelf into a comfy perch (add wall-mounted steps to make it accessible).

When in doubt, brainstorm a list of the spaces and items your cat is already drawn to and start from there. Remember, cats areobsessed with cardboard boxes. Cat rooms don’t have to be fancy—they simply have to bring your cat joy.

Cats love climbing high because it gives them a sense of security. Not only are they distancing themselves from predators, but they are also able to keep an eye on everything going on below them. Any space that prevents them from being ambushed is a safe space. Offering your cat a few options and a variety of levels is best. We highly recommend a combination of wall-mounted perches and cat towers.

Wall-mounted perches

Wall steps and mounted perches allow cats to move from one side of the room to the other without ever touching the ground. TheFukumaru cat wall setis a great bundle that combines jute-covered steps, a hammock and a floating perch. Adduniquely shaped hidey holesandperches with fake plantsto give your cat the real jungle experience. If you choose to use decorative shelves, make sure they are equipped to handle the full body weight of your cat and then some. Gluing jute, sisal or padding to the shelves will help your cat grip as they climb.

Cat towers

No cat room is complete without a cat tower. There are hordes of options available to meet any decor style. TheMoonlight Cat Climbing Framefrom Happy and Polly is whimsical and colorful. Frisco makesmodern towersfor a minimalist look. If you’ve got more than one cat, it might be worth goingfull cat condowith as many levels as possible. Even if you don’t have a ton of space, asimple towerwith a few perches works wonders.

Scratching posts

Scratching is a cat’s way of marking territory and blowing off steam. Don’t put anything in the cat room you’re not willing to let your cat scratch. Do provide several scratching spaces throughout the room. Again, this is a design challenge, so get creative! There arecactus-,sunflower-andbathtub-shaped posts. There are wall-mountedsisal planksand scratchers thatdouble as hiding spots.

Exercise wheels

Cat got the zoomies? Investing in a felineexercise wheelcould be the solution to a restless cat who constantly runs down the hall and back. Training your cat to use this wheel is also a fun bonding activity and it will keep them trim, preventing health issues later in life.

Interactive toys

Cats are playful animals and do require mental stimulation. Interactive toys encourage them to explore, experiment and entertain themselves when you’re not around to dangle a fancy wand for them. Some toysrequire no efforton your part, while others only ask that youpush a button.Treat mazesalso activate your cat’s hunt and kill instincts.

Window seats

Ever notice how your cat’s naps follow the sunshine? Provide your kitty with a front row seat to sunny days (and birds outside) with a window seat. Many window perches attachdirectly to the glasswith suction cups, while others sit right on the sill. You can also place a tower right up against the window.

Cushy, comfy beds

Cats nap. Like…a lot. A super cozy, cushy, comfy bed is essential for a cat room. If your cat is more timid, a bed that lets them truly escape into darkness, likeTuft and Paw’s Stellar Cat Bed, is great. Find somethingsnug enoughto make them feel secure, but spacious enough so they can curl up into tiny balls.

Of course, you’ll want to place alitter boxin the cat room! This is your cat’s territory and marking it with their scent is a huge part of establishing their sense of security in the room. It might be tempting to hide the litter box strategically, so you don’t have to see it, but cats aren’t fans of fully covered boxes.Try a box with tall sidesand an open top if your kitty kicks litter everywhere. Litter trapping mats also work wonders. Keep in mind, it’s not a great idea to keep the litter box directly next to food and water bowls.