I’ve got some bad news for those of you hoping to get by without having any cat trees or other furniture for your cats: cat furniture is an essential part of keeping your cat happy and preventing behavior problems.
You control the environment your cat has, especially if you have an indoor only cat. Without places to meet their behavioral needs, you’re going to end up with an unhappy cat and eventually some very unhappy humans. In fact, most of my behavior consultations with clients start out with environmental changes because people don’t have enough things for their cats.
If you’re hesitant to invest in cat furniture because you fear it will clash with your home’s decor, it’s time to rethink your assumptions. There is a lot of cat furniture that looks nice and is something your cat will love. Modern cat furniture is functional and aesthetically pleasing. Let’s go over a few ways to make your home look nice while keeping your cat behaving nicely.
Practical AND Stylish Cat Furniture
First, remember what cat furniture needs to do: meet your cat’s behavioral needs. It does have to exist in the home you share with your cat so it’s reasonable to find something that you like, too. Modern cat furniture needs to still serve a function for your cat, but it absolutely can be sleek, stylish, and pleasing to our eyes.
For example, check out one of my own cats napping in this cat tree. You can’t see the full cat tree, but you can see the wood stain and white padding. Prozac is nice and cozy while the whole cat tree isn’t covered in ugly carpeting.
If you need some tips on picking out cat furniture from the perspective of the cat, check out my guides to picking a scratcher your cat will use, finding a good cat tree, and picking out a litter box. There are plenty of options of cat furniture that both are functional and look good, but make sure you’re picking out something that isn’t only going to check one of those boxes.
Modify The Furniture Slightly
If you find a piece of furniture you really like but are concerned your cat may not like it, you may still be able to make it work. If you can slightly modify it, your cat may be more inclined to use it. For example, you may find a gorgeous cat tree that doesn’t have a soft place to rest. Consider adding some self adhesive carpeting or a comfy cat blanket to make it more appealing to your cat.
Integrating Cat Furniture into Your Decor
If you want your home to look nice, think about what colors and shapes you find interesting to look at. Chances are there is something out there that actually enhances your decor while still being useful for your cat. A few ideas to consider as you look:
- Choose Complementary Colors: Select cat furniture that complements your existing furniture . If your home has a neutral color scheme, consider adding a pop of color that still looks nice with your cat’s furniture. Make your cat furniture a point of interest rather than hiding it! Want the best of both neutral and colorful? Get this LED lighted cat scratcher (which you can see in action in my review).
- Match Materials: The opposite approach (or a mix of both) works, too. Find furniture that matches the materials used in your home. If you have a lot of wood accents, opt for cat furniture with a similar finish. Tuft and Paw, for example, has sleek wooden towers for your cat to climb and you to enjoy looking at. Furr and Co. also is a great place to look for nice wooden cat trees.
- Size and Placement: The size and placement of your cat furniture can significantly impact its overall appearance. A unique cat tree can serve as a focal point in a room. Rather than fight the cat furniture, embrace it. Just make sure all pieces of furniture are in a location your cat will actually use.
- Use Accessories: Remember what I said earlier about modifying something that doesn’t quite fit the needs of your cat? This applies to your preferences, too. Add some visual appeal to your cat furniture with accessories like cushions, blankets, and toys. These can help make the look of cat furniture fit a bit better with the rest of your home.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Be Fun: Modern cat furniture doesn’t mean boring. This modern cat tree with a swing is bold, interesting to look at, and beautiful. If circles are your jam, try this three level orb cat tree.
Stylish Cat Furniture Ideas
Beyond traditional cat towers, there are some really cool non-conventional modern cat furniture pieces that will make your space interesting and cat happy.
- Wall-Mounted Scratching Posts and Shelves: These sleek and space saving options can be easily integrated into your home’s design. You can even incorporate decorative elements into your cat shelves or pick a cat shelf that is a work of art like the Lotus Branch Cat Shelf from the Refined Feline.
- Actual Tree Cat Trees: Go for something a bit more rustic with cat trees that look like actual trees (or ones that look like high class designer variations of a tree).
- Modular Cat Furniture: Pick something that changes. Modular cat trees allow you to customize your setup to fit your space and style. You can change them later or add onto them as you go.
- Designer Cat Beds: Treat your feline friend to a luxurious cat cave or an cozy and cute cat bed that looks as good as it feels. Want to get your cat a tiny couch that’s nicer than your couch? Yep, those exist.
- Combination Cat Furniture: Remember how we’re balancing your needs and the needs of your cat? Why not get something for yourself, too? Cat furniture can be combined with human furniture so it doesn’t take up extra space. Think cat scratchers that also act as tables, cat towers built into bookshelves, and even coffee tables combined with cat beds.
Brands To Consider
If you’re looking for some great brands to try with modern looking cat furniture, there are a few my clients and their cats have been consistently satisfied with. The Refined Feline, Tuft and Paw, and Catit all have excellent towers and scratchers. If you’re thinking cat shelves, Catastrophic Creations make fun, safe, and stylish wall perches.
And of course there’s always smaller sellers. Etsy (while not a small seller, but a marketplace for smaller sellers) has a lot of unique finds, including the swankiest cat house you’ll ever see. I’ve also had my eye on a few items from Furr and Co. Perhaps one day Poutine and Prozac will get to nap on a work of art…
If You Still Can’t Find Something You Like
Even after looking at all the commercially available options and Etsy, are you still not able to find something you like? Your cats still need their needs met. If you want personalized help, I’m happy to come up with a plan for you. Otherwise, cats don’t care about marketing. You can always turn human furniture into cat furniture or repurpose other types of cat furniture to meet the needs of your cat. Just make sure everything you use is safe for cats.
The Benefits of Cat-Friendly Decor
Investing in stylish cat furniture not only enhances your home’s aesthetic appeal but also improves your cat’s quality of life. By providing your cat with a comfortable and stimulating environment, you’re helping them stay happy and healthy.
In other words, don’t let the fear of unsightly cat furniture hold you back from meeting your cat’s needs. Gone are the days of ugly cat furniture, in are the days of modern cat furniture. With the right choices, you can create a home that is both beautiful and cat friendly.
