Quick answer: Designers hide cat features inside furniture people already want: litter boxes in cabinets, perches in window benches, scratch panels on the sides of side tables, lookouts on top of cupboards and beds in drawers. Each has a small DIY version, such as a converted cabinet or a padded window shelf, that makes a thoughtful handmade gift.
Interior designers working in homes with cats rarely add obvious pet furniture. They fold cat features into pieces that already belong in a room, so the home looks adult and the cat still has everything it needs. Most of these ideas can be copied at a smaller scale.
That makes them good handmade gifts. A converted litter cabinet or a padded window shelf is personal, useful and far less likely to end up in a cupboard than another toy. Each feature below includes what designers do, the DIY version, and what to check before you give it.
Feature One: A DIY Hidden Litter Box Cabinet
Designers often build litter boxes into a bank of cupboards with a cat-sized opening in the side. The DIY version is a freestanding cabinet with a side opening, a removable back panel or door for cleaning, and ventilation holes at the top.
The ASPCA notes that cats like litter boxes in a quiet but not cornered location where they can see others approaching, and that many cats dislike lids. A cabinet should therefore have a generous interior, an opening that lets the cat see out, and an easy way to scoop daily. Our guide to an aesthetic hidden litter box cats will still use covers the build, and the design-forward version focuses on finishes.
Feature Two: A Window Bench Perch
A window seat with a deep cushion is a classic designer move, and cats claim it instantly. Ohio State's Indoor Pet Initiative suggests placing a couch, chair or sturdy table in front of a window so a cat can look outside.
The DIY version is a low bench or wide shelf under a window, about 30 cm deep, topped with a washable cushion. As a gift, pair it with a fitted cover in the recipient's room colours. Our no-drill window perch ideas work for renters who cannot fix anything to the wall.
Feature Three: A Scratch Panel on Furniture
Designers sometimes face the side of a cabinet or the end of a sofa table with a woven sisal panel, so the scratching surface is part of the furniture. The DIY version is a sisal mat stretched over a ply board and screwed to the side of an existing table or cabinet.
Place it near where the cat already scratches, usually beside the sofa or close to a doorway. Our guide to cat furniture that does not look like cat furniture covers other ways to blend scratch surfaces into a room.
Feature Four: A Cupboard-Top Lookout
International Cat Care points out that freestanding cupboards and wardrobes have large areas where a cat can rest or hide up high, and that other furniture nearby may be needed as a halfway platform. Designers turn the top of a tall cabinet into a lookout with a cushion and a discreet step nearby.
The DIY version is a fitted cushion or low-sided tray for the top of a cupboard, plus a sturdy stool or shelf as a halfway step. As a gift, it is easy to make to measure once you know the cupboard size. Check that the cupboard is anchored to the wall before encouraging a cat up there.
Feature Five: A Bed Drawer
A pull-out drawer at the bottom of a bookcase or bench, left slightly open with a cushion inside, is one of the most loved hidden features. The DIY version is a shallow wooden box on castors that slides under a bench or bed frame and comes out as a cat bed.
Use a washable cushion with a removable cover, round the edges, and make sure the drawer cannot be closed with the cat inside. Our cat beds and comfort hub covers other bed ideas.
Turning a Feature Into a Gift
| Feature | Gift size | Measure first |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden litter cabinet | Large, best for close family | Litter box footprint, room space |
| Window bench perch | Medium | Window width and sill height |
| Scratch panel | Small | Side of the table or cabinet |
| Cupboard-top lookout | Small | Cupboard top dimensions |
| Bed drawer | Medium | Height under bench or bed |
Ask quietly for measurements, or offer a voucher for a made-to-measure build. A gift that fits the room is far more useful than one that needs to be squeezed in. Our guide to gifts for cat owners who already have everything has more ideas if a build is not practical.
Tools and Skill Level for Each Build
The scratch panel and the cupboard cushion need little more than a saw, a staple gun and a sewing machine or needle. They suit a first-time maker. The window bench and bed drawer need accurate cutting and square joints, so they suit someone who has built a shelf or box before.
The litter cabinet is the most demanding. It needs a large, clean opening, a removable panel, ventilation holes and a finish that copes with cleaning sprays. If you are new to building, convert an existing cabinet rather than starting from flat boards. Our carbon filter guide for litter furniture explains how to add odour control to a converted cabinet.
Whatever you choose, build a quick mock-up from cardboard first. It shows whether the size feels right in the room and whether the cat shows interest, and it costs nothing to change.
Safety Checks Before Giving
- Every edge is sanded and every staple is flush.
- Finishes and glues have fully cured and aired.
- Litter cabinets have ventilation and a door or panel for daily scooping.
- Tall furniture used as a lookout is anchored to the wall.
- Cushions and covers are washable.
Test each piece with a cat if you can, even a friend's, before wrapping it. A perch that a cat refuses to sit on or a cabinet opening that feels too tight is far easier to adjust in your workshop than in someone else's home.
Include a short card with care notes, such as how to remove the cover for washing or how often to check screws. It makes the gift easier to live with.
Matching the Recipient's Home
Look at the recipient's existing furniture before choosing materials. A home with oak floors and white walls suits pale ply and natural sisal. A darker, warmer room suits walnut-toned stain and charcoal fabrics. Keep it to two or three materials so the piece looks considered.
If you are not sure of their style, a simple scratch panel or window cushion in a neutral colour is the safest choice. Our cat-friendly home design hub and seasonal gift hub collect related ideas.
Planning the Build Before the Holidays
Larger features such as a litter cabinet take a weekend or two once you include curing time and finishing. Start at least three weeks before you plan to give the gift so you are not rushing glue or paint.
Smaller features like a scratch panel or a cupboard cushion can be made in an evening. If time is short, make one of those and include a card offering to build a larger piece in the new year once you have measured the space together.
Hidden Cat Feature Questions
How do I make a DIY hidden litter box cats will use?
Use a cabinet large enough for the box with room to turn, a side opening the cat can see out of, ventilation holes near the top and a door or panel for daily scooping. Place it somewhere quiet but not cornered. Avoid making the space so tight that it acts like a lidded box.
What hidden cat features do interior designers use?
Common ones include litter boxes built into cabinets, window benches that double as perches, sisal scratch panels on the sides of tables, cushioned lookouts on top of tall cupboards and pull-out bed drawers under benches. Each hides a cat need inside furniture people already want.
What is a good handmade gift for a cat owner?
A made-to-measure piece that blends into their home, such as a padded window shelf, a cupboard-top cushion or a sisal scratch panel for an existing table. Measure first, keep materials to two or three, and include short care notes. A voucher for a larger build also works.
Is it safe for a cat to sit on top of a cupboard?
It can be if the cupboard is anchored to the wall and the cat can get up and down easily. Add a stool or shelf as a halfway step, especially for older cats, and put a non-slip cushion or tray on top so the cat does not slide off when jumping up.
