Quick answer: For a first IKEA hack cat tree, start with a short pine shelving side unit, add three 18 mm pine plywood platforms at about 40, 80 and 120 cm, wrap one upright in sisal rope and fix the unit to the wall. Place it at least a metre from the dining table so it is not a launch pad.
A dining nook is often the brightest corner of a flat, with a window seat or a bench and a view. Cats want to be there too, usually on the table. Giving them a tall, stable perch of their own nearby is one of the easier ways to keep paws off the place mats.
IKEA's unfinished pine shelving is a good starting point for a beginner because it is solid wood, simple to drill and easy to fix to a wall. This guide keeps the tools to a drill, a saw and sandpaper. If you want something that looks more like finished furniture once you are confident, our IKEA hack cat tree that looks like real furniture takes the idea further.
Why Pine Shelving Suits a First Build
Solid pine takes screws without splitting if you pre-drill, and it does not have a laminate surface that claws slide on. The IVAR range is the usual choice; its side units come in different heights and depths, so check the current sizes in store and pick the shortest, shallowest side unit for a nook.
Pine is also forgiving. A wonky cut or a misplaced hole can be sanded or filled, and the bare wood can be left natural, oiled or painted once the build is finished. Avoid particleboard units for climbing structures; they are heavier and their screw holes strip under repeated jumping.
What to Buy for a Pine Nook Tree
- One short pine shelving side unit with its fixings
- One sheet of 18 mm pine plywood, 120 x 60 cm
- 15 m of 8 mm sisal rope and non-toxic wood glue
- Eight 40 mm wood screws and four angle brackets
- Wall fixings suited to your wall type
- Drill, hand saw or jigsaw, 120-grit sandpaper
A hardware store will often cut the plywood to size for you if you bring the cut list, which removes the trickiest step for a beginner.
A Cut List From One Sheet
| Piece | Size | Qty | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | 40 x 30 cm | 3 | Low, middle and top perches |
| Spare | 40 x 30 cm | 3 | Replacements or a fourth step later |
Rip the 120 x 60 cm sheet into two 30 cm strips, then cut each strip into three 40 cm lengths. That gives six identical pieces, three to use now and three to keep. The spares are worth having, because a platform covered in fur or a scratched top is easier to swap than to clean.
Round each corner to a 3 cm radius using a jar lid as a guide, then sand all edges. A cat landing on a sharp plywood corner can catch a paw pad.
Assembling the Side Unit
Build the side unit following IKEA's instructions, but leave out the shelves for now. The cat tree uses the frame and its rungs. Check the frame is square by measuring both diagonals; they should match within a few millimetres before you tighten the last screw.
Lay the frame on its side to work on it. That makes drilling for the platform brackets easier and safer than working on an upright unit.
Fixing the Platforms at the Right Heights
Set the platforms at roughly 40, 80 and 120 cm from the floor. Steps of 40 cm suit most healthy adult cats; for a kitten or an older cat, add the fourth spare at 20 cm. Stagger them left and right so each platform has open space above it for the cat to sit up.
Fix each platform with two angle brackets screwed into the frame rungs. Pre-drill every hole in pine to avoid splitting. Press down hard on the outer edge of each platform; it should not flex or rock. Our stability test for DIY cat trees has a simple push test to confirm this.
Wrapping a Scratching Upright
Choose the upright closest to the floor-level approach and wrap 60 cm of it in 8 mm sisal rope, starting about 10 cm above the floor. Glue the first wrap, pull each turn tight against the last, and add a dab of glue every five or six turns. Fix the end with a small staple pushed in flush and covered by the next wrap.
Cats scratch with a full stretch, so the wrapped section should start low and run high. International Cat Care on scratching furniture explains why a sturdy vertical surface matters more than height alone.
Wall Fixing for a Dining Nook
Every tall cat structure should be fixed to the wall. Use the wall fixings supplied with the unit or ones suited to your wall: wall plugs for masonry, toggle anchors or a stud for plasterboard. Fix at the top of the frame, where leverage from a jumping cat is highest.
In rented flats, ask your landlord before drilling, or put the unit against a solid partition and use fewer, larger fixings that are easy to fill later. Our stud-safe cat tree build shows how to find studs behind plasterboard.
Keeping the Dining Area Clean
A cat tree in an eating area sheds fur and litter grit onto the floor around it. Put a washable runner under the base that extends 30 cm beyond the frame on the approach side, and vacuum it when you sweep under the table. Wipe the platforms weekly with a damp cloth rather than a spray cleaner, since cats sit and groom on them.
Keep cat food and water bowls away from the tree base. Cats prefer to eat away from where they climb and play, and splashes of water swell untreated plywood edges over time.
Placing the Tree Away From the Table
Put the tree at least a metre from the dining table edge. If the top platform is close to the table, the cat will use it as a stepping stone. A good spot is beside the window with a view outside, which gives the cat a reason to stay on the tree rather than investigate your dinner.
Do not place it next to a radiator or directly under a hanging lamp. International Cat Care on cat-friendly homes has more on choosing spots cats find secure.
Finishing and First Week
Leave the pine bare or wipe on a food-safe oil and let it cure for several days before the cat uses it. Add a washable mat or cork tile to the top platform for grip. Avoid gloss varnishes, which make landing surfaces slippery.
Encourage the cat with a wand toy dragged up the platforms, and put a treat on the top perch at mealtimes. If you later want more levels, our DIY cat tree hub links to larger builds, and our guide to replacing a cat tree's covering shows how to refresh the platforms once they wear. For an older cat with stiff joints, our senior-friendly cat tree with low ramps adapts the same idea.
IKEA Cat Tree Beginner Questions
Which IKEA unit is best for a beginner cat tree?
A short unfinished pine shelving side unit, such as one from the IVAR range, is a good start. Solid pine takes screws well, can be sanded if you make a mistake and looks fine left natural. Avoid particleboard units, whose screw holes can strip under repeated jumping.
How high should the platforms be on a first cat tree?
Roughly 40, 80 and 120 cm from the floor suits most adult cats, with steps of about 40 cm. Add a lower step at 20 cm for kittens or older cats. Stagger the platforms so each one has open space above it for the cat to sit upright.
How many platforms can I cut from one sheet of plywood?
A 120 x 60 cm sheet of 18 mm plywood gives six platforms of 40 x 30 cm: two 30 cm strips, each cut into three 40 cm lengths. Use three now and keep three as spares to replace a worn platform or add an extra step later.
Does an IKEA hack cat tree need to be fixed to the wall?
Yes. A tall unit with a jumping cat on top can tip. Fix the top of the frame to the wall with fixings suited to your wall type. If you rent, ask before drilling or choose a solid partition and fewer fixings that are easy to fill later.
Where should a cat tree go in a dining nook?
At least a metre from the dining table so the top platform is not a stepping stone onto it. A spot near the window with a view outside works well. Keep it away from radiators and hanging lamps, which can be hot or tempting to bat.
