Hidden Cat Litter Box House

Cats are lovable, but their litter boxes? Not so much. This boxed enclosure—which we renovated from a side table—lets you discreetly tuck away your pet's disposable tray in any room.

pink and white litter box house next to a cactus and orange cat
Photo: KARA WHITTEN

This idea comes from our friend Kara Whitten of A Kailo Chic Life. Her project's architectural design is inspired by A-frame houses, which are distinguished by steeply-angled sides and a gable roof that collectively meet at the top of the structure in the shape of the letter "A" (hence the name). In her miniature version, the hinged hardware allows you to open and close the front for easy cleaning, and a circular opening centered on the front allows easy entrance and exit for your feline friend.

For more ideas, scroll through our collection of cat crafts.

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Side table (Pictured: IKEA Lack Side Table, $9, ikea.com.)
  • Birch plywood, 4 by 8 feet and 1/4 inch thick
  • Circular saw (Pictured: Dremel Saw Max 6 Amp Variable Speed Corded Tool Kit, $89, homedepot.com.)
  • Measuring tape
  • Wood glue
  • Square dowels, 1/2-inch (cut to 5/8-inches pieces)
  • Jig saw
  • 2 large door hinges
  • 2 small door hinges
  • Corner latch lock
  • Staple gun
  • Paint (Pictured: Behr "Ultra Pure White" Paint, $37 for 1 gal., homedepot.com; Behr "Watermelon Slice" Paint, $34 for 1 gal., homedepot.com.)
  • Paintbrush

Instructions

  1. To make the base, lay the table top on a flat work surface. Attach wood dowels to two parallel sides of the table top with a line of wood glue; let dry overnight.

  2. circular saw on plywood

    Cut house pieces from plywood using a circular saw. (Note: Based on the measurements of our pictured side table, you will need two rectangle pieces that measure 21 5/8 by 28 inches, plus two triangles that are 21 5/8 inches wide, 26 inches in height and 33.8 inches on each side.) On one of the triangles, cut a 10-inch circle in the center. (Note: This will serve as the "door" to your cat's litter box enclosure.) Use the saw to angle-cut the top and bottom at a 45-degree angle.

  3. hinged triangular roof attached to black base

    Add a line of wood glue to the base of the litter box house along the square dowel and attach the side plywood panels. Add a line of glue along the top seam where the two pieces meet, then use the large door hinges to attach the panels. Use a staple gun to attach the back triangle panel to the side panels.

  4. door with circular cutout attached to hinged triangular roof

    Attach two small hinges to the door, screwing them onto the front side.

  5. plywood litter box house painted white

    Attach the corner latch hook to the opposite side of the door so that you can secure it closed when in use or open the door to remove and clean the litter box as needed.

  6. pink and white litter box house next to a cactus and orange cat
    KARA WHITTEN

    Cover the enclosure with a coat of paint and decorate as desired; let dry completely.

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