Quick answer: For a first cat, a simple IKEA hack cat tree works well: a low bench of about 40 cm with one cube unit standing on one end, giving two steps up to about 75 cm. Top both with cork tiles for grip, add a scratch post nearby and place it by a sunroom window with some shade.
New cat owners are often told to buy a large cat tree straight away. A first cat does need height, a place to watch from and somewhere to scratch, but it does not need a 180 cm tower on day one. A simple two-step build lets you learn what your cat likes before spending more.
This guide uses two common flat-pack pieces and cork tiles, set up in a sunroom where most cats love to sit. For the broader picture, our guide to IKEA hack cat trees shows more ambitious builds once you know your cat.
What a New Cat Needs From a Cat Tree
- Height to watch the room from a safe spot.
- A steady surface that never wobbles under a jump.
- Grip, so paws do not slip on landing.
- A nearby scratch surface to use after waking.
- A view outside, which most cats find absorbing.
A cat that feels secure settles faster in a new home. International Cat Care on cat-friendly homes explains why height and a view out matter, especially for cats kept indoors.
The Two-Step Bench and Cube Build
Use a low bench or TV bench about 40 cm high and at least 100 cm long as the first step. Stand a single cube unit, about 39 cm square and roughly 40 cm high, on one end of the bench. That gives a floor-to-bench step of about 40 cm and a bench-to-cube step of another 40 cm, so the top sits at about 80 cm.
Each jump stays around 40 cm, which suits kittens, adult cats and cats new to climbing. Our kitten-friendly cat tree guide explains why modest steps help young cats build confidence.
| Level | Height from floor | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | 0 cm | Approach and scratching |
| Bench top | About 40 cm | Lounging and first step |
| Cube top | About 80 cm | Lookout by the window |
Fixing the Cube to the Bench
The cube must never slide. Drill two pilot holes through the bench top near its end and screw up into the base of the cube with short wood screws. Choose screws a few millimetres shorter than the two panel thicknesses combined, so the tips do not break through inside the cube.
If the bench top is hollow, screw into its solid frame at the end instead. Then push hard on the cube from each side; it should not move. Our guide to anchoring a cat tree covers wall straps if your bench is light.
Topping Both Levels With Cork Tiles
Laminate bench tops are slippery for landing paws. Cork tiles give grip, feel warm and are easy to fit. Using 30 cm tiles, a bench top of 100 by 35 cm takes eight in two rows of four, trimmed to fit, and the cube top takes four in a square, trimmed to 39 cm. Twelve tiles cover both levels.
Fix the tiles with strong double-sided mounting tape or a low-odour contact adhesive, pressing hard for a minute. Round the corners of each tile slightly with sandpaper. Our guide to cork in cat furniture explains its pros and cons.
Placing It in a Sunroom
Sunrooms are perfect for watching birds, but they can get very hot. Put the build beside a window with a blind or plant nearby, so the cat can move out of direct sun. Feel the cork at midday on a sunny day; if it is too warm for your hand, it is too warm for a cat to lie on for long.
Keep a water bowl within reach of the tree in warm weather. Our room-by-room cat tree placement guide covers other spots if the sunroom proves too hot in summer.
Adding a Scratch Post Beside It
First-time owners often forget that a cat tree and a scratching post are different needs. Place a tall, heavy sisal post beside the bench, where the cat lands after waking. A post at least 75 cm tall lets an adult cat stretch fully.
Providing scratching early means fewer problems with the sofa later. ASPCA guidance on destructive scratching explains why early, appealing scratch surfaces prevent habits forming on furniture.
Introducing the Tree to a New Cat
Let the cat discover the bench in its own time. Leave a few treats on the bench top, then on the cube top once the cat is happy on the first step. Play with a wand toy along the bench so the cat jumps up while chasing.
Never put the cat on the top step. Cats like to choose their own route, and being placed there can make them wary. Most cats use a new bench within a few days. Our guide to training a cat to use a cat tree has more ideas.
Tools and Shopping List
- One low bench about 40 cm high and 100 cm long.
- One single cube unit about 39 cm square.
- Fourteen 30 cm cork tiles, which leaves two spares.
- Double-sided mounting tape or low-odour contact adhesive.
- Four short wood screws, a drill and a fine sanding block.
Build both flat-pack pieces as the instructions describe before you start. Then fit the cork, fix the cube and test the result before the cat sees it. The whole job usually takes an afternoon.
Measure your bench before buying anything. Benches vary in depth, and a top narrower than about 30 cm is too tight for a cat to lie on comfortably. If yours is narrow, choose a deeper bench rather than adding an overhanging board, which can tip when a cat lands on the edge.
Keeping Cork Clean and Grippy
Cork collects fur and dust, especially in a sunny room. Vacuum it weekly with a brush attachment and wipe it with a barely damp cloth if needed; do not soak it. If a tile starts to lift at a corner, press it back with fresh tape before the cat catches a claw under it.
Scratched cork looks worn but stays usable. Replace single tiles when they crumble at the edges, which is why keeping a spare from the same pack is worthwhile.
Upgrading Once You Know Your Cat
After a few months, you will know whether your cat climbs high, prefers to hide or likes to sprawl in the sun. A climber may want a taller build; a hider may want a covered cube with a cushion inside; a sunbather may just want a wider top.
The bench and cube can be reused in any of those builds. Our measuring guide for cat trees helps when planning the next version.
Common First-Owner Mistakes
- Placing the tree in a quiet corner the cat never visits.
- Choosing a tall, narrow tower that wobbles.
- Leaving bare laminate on landing surfaces.
- Putting the cat on the top instead of letting it climb.
- Forgetting shade and water in a hot sunroom.
Avoiding these makes the first tree a success. Cats that use a tree from early on are much easier to manage as they grow.
First Cat Tree Questions
What is the easiest IKEA hack cat tree for a beginner?
A low bench about 40 cm high with one cube unit screwed onto one end. That makes two steps of about 40 cm each, up to roughly 80 cm. Top both surfaces with cork tiles for grip. It uses two flat-pack pieces, a drill and a few screws.
How high should a first cat tree be?
Around 80 cm is plenty to start. It gives a lookout spot without big jumps, and each step stays about 40 cm, which suits kittens and adult cats new to climbing. Once you know whether your cat loves height, you can build taller with wall anchoring.
Is a sunroom a good spot for a cat tree?
Yes, most cats love the view and the warmth, but sunrooms can overheat. Place the tree near shade from a blind or plant, check the surface at midday and keep water close by. If the cork feels too warm to your hand, move the tree back.
Do I still need a scratching post with a cat tree?
Yes. A tree gives height and rest, but cats also need a tall, sturdy scratch surface. Place a sisal post at least 75 cm tall beside the tree, where the cat lands after waking. Early scratch options help stop sofa scratching before it starts.
How do I get my new cat to use the tree?
Leave treats on the bench top, then on the cube once the cat is comfortable. Play with a wand toy along the bench so the cat jumps while chasing. Let the cat choose its own route; never place it on the top. Most cats take to it within days.
