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We should get a cat.” I told my husband years ago. His answer was always no. He didn’t like cats and never wanted one in the house. I, on the other hand, grew up with two cats and a golden retriever and I loved being surrounded by my pets. I loved how my cats would snuggle up with me when I was sleeping and how they would follow me around.

So, after years of not wanting one, all that it took was our son holding a cat that needed to be adopted and looking at his dad asking if we could bring him home. Ten minutes later we were on our way home, cat in hand (well… in arms.)

The thing about cats is that they come with ‘stuff’. They need a litter box, which certainly isn’t pretty and can be messy. They need somewhere to sleep and perch.

My friend, Hillary, had the best idea. She said that they converted their coat closet into a cat room! I loved it. We immediately did the same. As soon as we got home, Mickey got to work.

A close up of a closet set up with all cat supplies and items.

We ordered a cat door that works wonderfully (the dog can’t fit in!)
A close up of a door with a cat door at the bottom.

Next, he made Curry a bed, complete with a scratching post (wood wrapped in a hemp material).
A close up of a home made cat scratching post and bed.
He put a tray on top (screwed it into the wood) and we use that area for his food.  

He has never known any different than having his food near his litter box, so it has never bothered him.  We just clean it daily.

A close up of cat cubby and food and water bowls resting above it.

He built shelves going up the side of the closet by using wood and wrapping them in carpet, then attaching them to the walls.

Close up of a carpeted cat climbing area.
There are three levels (the kids can’t reach the top one, so he goes there to escape everyone):
A close up of a carpeted cat climbing tree.

 

Closet turned into a cat room with litter box, feeding area and carpeted shelves to sit on.
We added a latch lock to the door (see in the picture below on the left door trim).  We can lock the door, so the kids can’t open it while he is trying to hang out in there).   It doesn’t lock him in, but it does lock young kids out. 

A close up of a closet set up with all cat supplies and items.

We also added a shelf on top to hold his litter so we can easily change it, scoop it & refill it.

 

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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34 Comments

  1. People just like to complain (and obviously not read). Personally, I love your idea and would have converted a closet for my cats, but I have more than one. I converted a large credenza that had three separate areas along with two sliding doors. I sawed a hole in each side of the divider between the middle and outer areas and placed large plastic tubs inside the outer areas for the litter. I also made sure there was plenty of ventilation along with a small light that turns on when a cat enters. So far, the system keeps the dogs out and the cats seem to love the privacy. It is easy to keep clean and change the litter. Your idea is great for when I someday want to build a tiny home. By then my cat number will be fewer (I have two much older cats) and/or I could incorporate a larger closet. I do love what you did and how you did it.

  2. Lol you’re cat isnt the same as everyone else’s. My 3 cats eat outside of their enclosed litter box not a problem at all

  3. I feel as if you did not take the time to read the article fully before posting a reply. Fortunately, this family provided this cat A WONDERFUL area to enjoy that is MANY times larger than the area provided to MILLIONS of loving animals locked in shelters. THANK YOU for sharing this gift of an idea! This is truly an EXCELLENT and EFFICIENT use of space.

  4. Thanks for the idea! I just got two new young cats and I need an area to put litter boxes away from dog access. This should work perfectly.

    1. Our cat loves it. He goes in there to sleep during the day, to escape the noise of kids & dogs, etc… It’s been set up like this since he was a kitten, and it’s his spot. He’s the sweetest cat, but when he wants to get away to eat, sleep in quiet, etc… he goes in there. He has never had an accident outside of the litter box, so that has worked out well being in there, too.

  5. I’m thinking of doing this in my house – I have a gazillion cats and 3 litter boxes, ugh – hoping it works, right now my dining room is my cat room, which is NOT ideal. Do you leave the light on for your kitty? Was wondering if that mattered to cats lol

  6. I love the idea for an out of the way litter box placement but I wouldn’t want the cats to play or sleep in the closet. I’d be afraid that I’d never see them except at mealtimes!!!

  7. I have a closet for my cats litter boxes but their food is in the kitchen with their water. They sleep with me but they are spoiled. They also have a special area for their jungle gym and toys.

  8. Love this!! I’m in the process of “Kitty Nesting” in preparation for bringing 2 kittens home and I am absolutely borrowing this idea. I live in a small apartment with few places to put things like a litterbox, so when I saw your solution I immediately cleared out our coat closet. Our closet isn’t quite big enough to comfortably fit food and water, but there is a place in our kitchen for those things to live. The only thing I feel a little stuck on is the door- we rent, and so unfortunately cutting a hole in the door is out of the question. I’ve thought about getting “anti finger pinch” bumpers to put on the door, effectively to keep it from ever closing all the way. I’ve also considered taking the door off all together, storing it under our bed, and putting a curtain over the entryway. If any one has alternate solutions I’d love to hear them!

  9. I have had cats my entire life (almost 55 years) & I think that this is a FABULOUS IDEA. We currently have 2 cats, (one small, one very large) & they have NO PROBLEM whatsoever in eating & pooping in the same area. We have a covered litter box, like shown, and water & food sitting in separate trays, so that they don’t interfere with each other. If I had a coat closet that we didn’t NEED to use, I would totally do this! Thanks for all the great ideas & sorry for all the “bummer” comments.

  10. I too have had cats my whole life and none of them have ever minded eating and drinking near their litter 😂 Just had to defend you on that front!

    1. Thanks! I, too, have had cats my entire life & they’ve never minded it, either. 🙂