Here's How to Make a Décor Savvy Cat Tree

Your cat is a cherished family member and you want to keep them in mind when updating your home. Why not build them their very own indoor playground? A décor-savvy cat tree is just the thing. Instead of plastic, create something good-looking, built to last with fundamental carpentry skills. You can also add carpeting to coordinate with your home’s décor. This fun addition to your space will keep your kitty happy and occupied while you tackle other DIY projects around the home.

What You’ll Need* :

Supplies

• 1" x 10" Pine Boards 

• 7" x 9" L Brackets 

• Heavy Duty Wall Anchors 

• Screws 

• Carpet Planks 

• Construction Adhesive 

• BeautiTone Paint (Optional)

Tools

• Mitre Saw 

• Level 

• Stud Finder 

• Drill 

• Pencil 

• Tape Measure 

• Utility Knife 

• Caulking Gun 

• Hammer

* Our full assortment of building supplies is available at Home Building Centre and Home Hardware Building Centre locations. To unlock our catalogue of building supplies online, please select your local Building Centre.

Here’s How

For this project, we’re making a cat tree out of inexpensive and easy-to-find materials and our design has seven climbing shelves on a vertical path in the corner of a room. You can, of course, vary this approach to suit your site by using fewer or more shelves or laying your tree out in a more horizontal configuration on a wall.

Steps:

1. Assemble all the materials and tools for your project. 

2. Start by measuring and planning where the cat tree will go. Determine the height of your tree, how many boards it will have and the length of the boards. We created seven 9" x 18" climbing shelves.

3. Measure, mark and cut seven boards each at 9" x 18". 

4. Using a utility knife and tape measure, cut the carpet planks to the same size as the boards, 9" x 18".

5. Apply construction adhesive on the cut boards. Peel and stick the carpet planks onto wood boards. 

6. Using a level, mark on the wall where each shelf will go. 

7. Use your stud finder to check for studs. Where studs exist, you don’t need to pre-drill or use drywall plugs.

8. Attach two brackets to the back of each shelf. 

9. Take the shelf with the attached brackets, mark and drill holes. Insert drywall plugs where there are no studs. 

10. Mount all of your shelves. 

11. Introduce your feline friend to its new climbing playground!

Total time: A few hours 

Difficulty: Easy