Are you tired of your cat climbing on kitchen counters, scratching furniture, or simply looking for more vertical space in your home?
As a long-time cat owner and DIY enthusiast, I understand the challenge of creating an enriching environment for our feline friends, especially in smaller living spaces.
That's why I've spent years experimenting with different cat shelf designs, from simple floating perches to elaborate climbing walls.
This collection of 31 DIY cat shelf ideas represents the best solutions I've discovered for keeping cats physically active, mentally stimulated, and safely off your furniture - all while adding style to your home decor.
Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, you'll find projects here that match your skill level and budget. Let me show you how to transform your walls into a feline playground that both you and your cats will love.
Table of Contents
1. DIY Cat Shelf
Here's an interesting cat shelf or cat wall perch, it was quite easy to make and it took only about 2 hours. The materials needed for this project are, PVC pipes, PVC pipe caps, sisal rope, a hot glue gun, and a 2-inch large screw. For the measurements you can choose any measurements you want, the creator had some random measure depending on how long it wanted the perch to be from the wall.
2. How To Make A Cat Shelf
So, for this guide, you'll need a heavy-duty stapler, finishing nails, a jigsaw, nails, wood glue, stain, or anything that you can use to finish your wood. You're also going to need brackets, to hand the wooden shelf when it's done. The process is super easy and fun to make.
3. DIY Wall Mounted Cat Shelves
In this time-lapse video tutorial, the creator started by staining the wood with a rust-oleum wood stain. Note that the woods were already cut to their desired size as the video began. After staining, cut any carpet you want to use to your desired size, attach that carpet to the shelves, then finally, attach the shelves to the wall and you're good to go.
4. Making Cat Shelves
The video started with the creator cutting out the wood he wanted to use and smoothing sharp corners of the word with a router, then the next step was staining the wood. Shelf brackets were used to mount the wooden shelf pieces after staining. Then, try to center the shelves on the brackets so that they don't fall off or anything worse. The great thing about this cat shelf is that it doesn't take up much space at all, you might not notice the shelves unless your cat is on them.
5. Floating Cat Shelves DIY
If you need a durable floating cat shelf, and you go to any store you won't see the right one that will fit into your space, it might either be too small or too large. The creator of this guide made his cat shelf from old shoe rack materials. So, you need stud plywood, softwood shelf boards, and straight metal brackets. The first step requires cutting and gluing, the rest of the steps come easy to you after engaging in the first one correctly.
6. DIY Cat Wall
If you're not a fan of wood, you can use pipes, like this guide, the creator used gas pipes. You can find this at any of your favorite hardware stores. You need pipes and couplings. The pipe was selected because it's cheaper than getting a galvanized pipe. The steps are pretty easy and doable.
7. How To Make DIY Cat Shelves
Here's a simple cat shelf that you can make in minutes. All you need is a wooden board that is at least ½ inches thick, you also need some heavy-duty wall anchors, sturdy 'L' brackets, fabric to cover the wooden boards, and a few other supplies. The creator gave a step-by-step guide on how to create this cat shelf and it's effortlessly easy.
8. How To Set Up Cat Shelves
You might already have a cat shelf at home, maybe one you bought or built, and you're just searching for the right and better way to set it up, well now you can. With this guide, you can set up your cat shelf in the best and most unique way possible. To do this task for your cat, choose a nice location at home, someplace your cat spends more time at, determine the height, and make a quick sketch of how the shelves would look like. After everything, start selecting and cutting the wood to create your shelf.
9. How To Build Cat Shelves
To get this done, you need scrap wood, maybe from any old furniture around, a staple gun, some brackets that will match your wood, a level, soft fabric to cover the shelf, and a few other materials. You don't need any woodworking skills to perform this task, it's super easy and durable.
10. DIY Cat Tree
If you don't have space at home or you don't want to start making holes on your wall to mount a shelf, you can easily use any bookshelf at home, turn it into a cat tree and make a car shelf or perch by the side. It makes the job a lot easier and saves money on the cost of wood, brackets, and all other materials that you would have procured. Here are a few materials you need to buy, some scrap boards, drop cloth, Manila rope, lint-free rags, fabric, tension rods, hot glue gun, and much more.
11. DIY Cat Shelves
This is a unique cat shelf, but first, you need to choose the kind of car shelf you want. This guide does not have a list of var shelves available, so you need to check any site where you can have several ideas on wooden cat shelves. Once you've made your choice, proceed to buy the cat shelf and materials you'll need to install it. The steps were explained vividly, so you have nothing to worry about.
12. How To Make A Floating Cat Shelf
First, you're going to start this project with some 2x4s, make the necessary cuts to the 2x4 and other woods like pine boards, plywood, and a few other kinds of wood. After the woodworking process, use a stuff finder to assist you as you place the board and drill hole to mount it on the wall.
13. DIY Low Budget Cat Shelves
You don't need to spend so much when you use this guide to build an exquisite cat shelf. For this task, you need a glue gun, screws, rope, and some old cardboard boxes, and don't forget to add some woods too. So first, the creator took the cardboard and cut it into the required shape and then used the glue gun to glue it together. Use the carpet fabric to cover the wood. The mounting process is super easy and fun.
14. DIY Cat Shelf
Here's one that might interest you. You don't need drilling, screwing, cutting, or any of that, all you need is a basket that can accommodate your cat, two stripes that are 2 feet long and ½ inches wide, strong rope, a curtain rod, a light blanket, and finally an in-and-out route. This route will make it easy for your cat to access the shelf without being disturbed.
15. Floating Cat Shelves DIY
So, we are back to more drilling and cutting. With this guide, you will need plywood, check the link to see the dimensions of the wood and measurements for cutting. You'll also need staples, brand nails, and carpet. For the tools, you'll need a finishing nailer, a drill, staple gun, framing square, and lots more. With just 8 simple steps your cat shelf should be ready for your cat to hang out in.
16. DIY Cat Adventure And Escape Wall
The first and important step.is to draw out the building plans on paper. This will help you have something you can always look back at, in case you miss a step or forget something along the way, and also help keep the idea fresh in your head no matter how long you spend working on the task. This project can be done with just $100 and some of the materials might already be at your home. You need birch plywood, some biscuit joints, brackets, a strip of poplar, and a few other supplies. Check the link to see the dimensions and measurements of the materials mentioned.
17. Cat Shelf by Melanade Beauty
This innovative wall-mounted design transforms your living space into an elevated playground for cats.
The strategically positioned platforms create an engaging vertical territory that encourages natural climbing and exploration behaviors.
A thoughtfully integrated sisal scratching element helps redirect destructive tendencies away from your furniture.
The aesthetic appeal is enhanced through suspended greenery and carefully selected ornamental elements that complement the existing interior design scheme.
18. DIY Cat Stairways
This creation transforms an ordinary wall into a dynamic feline sanctuary.
Multiple elevated platforms are installed at various inclines, creating an engaging vertical terrain.
The centerpiece includes a towering scratch-friendly column wrapped in durable material, providing an ideal outlet for natural scratching instincts.
19. DIY Cat Climbing Wall
This innovative vertical playground merges functionality with contemporary design, offering an achievable project for novice craftspeople.
The cost-effective materials deliver professional-grade aesthetics while remaining budget-conscious.
Essential components are readily accessible through standard retail channels, making this sophisticated addition both attainable and economical.
20. DIY Kitty Adventure Wall
This imaginative vertical installation combines dedicated play spaces with ambient illumination to create an engaging feline environment.
The multilevel design incorporates robust mounting platforms and an interconnected suspension bridge, enhanced by strategic LED placement for visual appeal.
While the approximate budget of $100 makes it an accessible project, successful execution requires basic crafting abilities including adhesive application, secure fastening, and precise cutting techniques.
The comprehensive instruction manual features step-by-step guidance with detailed visuals and measurements, making it approachable for those new to home improvement ventures. Each component is carefully selected for durability and safety, ensuring a long-lasting entertainment zone for your pet companion.
21. Homemade Cat Gym
This architectural design transforms your interior walls into a customized feline activity center.
Utilizing basic pine planks and repurposed carpeting materials, the structure can be harmoniously integrated with existing décor through strategic staining or paint selection.
The innovative use of Velcro-secured carpet segments creates replaceable scratching surfaces, while decorative bracket embellishments elevate the overall aesthetic.
The modular nature allows for personalized configurations, incorporating various heights and angles to maximize engagement.
Strategic placement of support structures ensures both stability and visual appeal, making it an efficient solution for space-conscious pet owners seeking sophisticated environmental enrichment.
22. Homemade Cat Lounge
This elevated installation features minimalist timber platforms arranged in ascending tiers, creating an optimal observation point for feline companions.
The sophisticated design incorporates decorative elements including timepieces, literature displays, and botanical accents, while a plush textile addition provides comfort.
The multifunctional layout serves both as an architectural statement and a strategic vantage point, enabling natural surveillance behaviors while maintaining aesthetic harmony with contemporary interiors.
23. Kitty Wall Shelf by Outdoor Savannah
Video Credit: Raja and David
24. DIY Cat Wall Tree
Video Credit: through.the.lleaves
25. Cat Shelf by Outdoor Savannah
Video Credit: Raja and David
26. Simple Floating Kitty Space
This architectural element merges form and function through suspended timber platforms, creating an elevated sanctuary that complements modern interiors.
The precision-engineered plywood construction features integrated carpeting for tactile comfort and claw maintenance.
Installation efficiency is enhanced through professional cutting services at hardware retailers, while proper stud location ensures structural integrity.
The modular design enables customized configurations based on wall support placement, delivering both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality for discerning pet owners.
27. Stylish Kitty Lounge
This compact vertical design maximizes limited wall space through strategically positioned platforms, creating an engaging climbing environment.
The versatile configuration incorporates textile elements - either color-matched for subtlety or boldly contrasting for visual impact.
Optional enhancements include mounted enclosures and textured surfaces, transforming ordinary walls into sophisticated feline territories while maintaining residential aesthetics.
The adaptable framework allows for personalized modifications based on spatial constraints and design preferences.
28. Practical DIY Cat Shelves
29. Homemade Kitty Shelves
Transform your living space into a feline paradise with this simple DIY cat climbing wall project. This engaging home addition can be completed in just three straightforward steps, offering a cost-effective alternative to expensive commercial cat furniture.
30. Large Cat Wall
When designing a DIY cat climbing wall, understanding your cat's individual preferences is essential.
Consider their favorite activities – whether they enjoy perching high up, need cozy spots for napping, or prefer multiple paths for exploration.
This personalized approach ensures you'll create a functional space that your cat will actually use and enjoy, while adding a unique architectural element to your home.
31. Durable Cat Wall
For an industrial-chic climbing solution, consider metal pipe shelves.
These sturdy platforms can be customized with paint to complement your home's style, while grip tape ensures your cat's safety during exploration.
The versatile design allows for creative arrangements - you could even elevate food bowls above dog-height.
Their durability and modern aesthetic make them an excellent choice for a distinctive cat-friendly space.
