7 Easy IKEA Cat Hacks to Transform Your Small Apartment

Are you searching for brilliant IKEA cat hacks to enrich your feline’s life without cluttering your home? Living in a small apartment means every square foot counts. You need solutions that are stylish for you and stimulating for your cat. This is where the magic happens.

By transforming affordable IKEA products, you can create incredible DIY cat furniture that satisfies your cat’s instinct to climb, scratch, and hide. These seven IKEA hacks for cats are specifically chosen for their simplicity, style, and suitability for compact living spaces. It’s the ultimate guide to help you catify on a budget.

Why Are IKEA Cat Hacks the Perfect Solution?

Before we begin, let’s confirm why this is the smartest approach for apartment dwellers:

• Budget-Friendly: You can build a custom cat tree or condo for a fraction of the cost of retail pet store options.
• Style-Conscious: IKEA’s minimalist design blends into your decor, unlike bulky, carpeted cat towers.
• Space-Saving: Many of these hacks utilize vertical space or serve dual purposes for both you and your cat.
• Highly Customizable: You can paint, modify, and combine pieces to perfectly match your space and your cat’s needs.

1. The KALLAX Shelving: The Ultimate DIY Cat Furniture Hack

The KALLAX shelving unit is legendary in the world of IKEA cat hacks, and for good reason. Its cube design is a perfect blank canvas for a cat condo that also functions as human storage.

What you’ll do:
Assemble a 2×2 or 2×4 KALLAX unit. Designate several cubes for your cat by placing soft beds or blankets inside (IKEA’s DRÖNA box fits perfectly). You can turn a structural support into a scratching post by wrapping it tightly with sisal rope. For maximum enrichment, position the unit by a window to give your cat a prime spot for bird-watching.

**Why this works in a small apartment: This hack is the epitome of vertical space utilization. It provides climbing, hiding, and lounging spots for your cat while still functioning as a bookshelf or vinyl storage for you.

2. LACK Tables: An Easy IKEA Cat Hack for Vertical Space

Don’t underestimate the LACK side table. At less than $15, it’s an incredibly affordable building block for a simple, modern cat tree. This is one of the most popular IKEA hacks for cats.

What you’ll do:
Stack two or three LACK tables, offsetting them to create a step-like structure that’s easy for your cat to climb. Secure them together from underneath using short screws and mending plates for stability. Wrap the legs in sisal rope, using a staple gun to secure the ends. This creates multiple scratching surfaces that will lure your cat away from your sofa.

**Why this works in a small apartment: The footprint is incredibly small. Unlike a wide, traditional cat tree, this slim design can tuck neatly into a corner without overwhelming the room.

3. BRIMNES Cabinet: Hide the Litter Box in Your Small Apartment

An exposed litter box can ruin the aesthetic of an otherwise tidy home. The BRIMNES cabinet offers a stylish and discreet solution, turning an eyesore into an elegant piece of furniture.

What you’ll do:
Purchase a BRIMNES cabinet. During assembly, leave out an interior shelf to create enough vertical space for a standard litter box. Use a jigsaw with a scroll blade to carefully cut a cat-sized entrance hole (about 7-8 inches or 20cm in diameter) into the side of the cabinet. Place a litter-trapping mat inside to minimize tracking.

**Why this works in a small apartment: It gets the litter box completely out of sight, helps contain odors, and prevents litter from being tracked across your floors. The top surface provides extra storage or display space.

4. BEKVÄM Spice Racks: The Perfect IKEA Hack for Cats on a Wall

Looking for a way to “catify” your walls? This IKEA hack for cats is genius. The BEKVÄM spice racks can be repurposed into a minimalist “cat highway.”

What you’ll do:
Mount three or more BEKVÄM spice racks securely to a wall. Be sure to use heavy-duty drywall anchors to ensure they can support your cat’s weight. Arrange them in a staggered pattern like steps, leading up to a taller piece of furniture or a window perch. For extra grip and comfort, you can glue small strips of carpet or cork onto the base of each rack.

**Why this works in a small apartment: It uses absolutely zero floor space! This is the ultimate solution for creating an engaging environment in even the tiniest of rooms.

5. HOL Storage Table: An Instant Cat Cave to Catify on a Budget

Sometimes, the best hack is the simplest one. This project requires no tools and allows you to catify on a budget in under five minutes. The HOL table offers a ready-made, stylish hideout.

What you’ll do:
Simply assemble the HOL storage table. Its slatted wood design provides security and ventilation, letting your cat feel safe while still being able to peek out. Place a plush blanket or cat bed inside to create an irresistible den.

**Why this works in a small apartment: This piece is a multitasking champion. It functions as a side table, offers storage for blankets or magazines, and serves as a secure hiding spot for a shy or sleepy cat.

6. DUKTIG Doll Bed: The Cutest and Easiest IKEA Cat Hack

This hack went viral for a reason. The DUKTIG doll bed is perfectly proportioned for the average cat, giving them their very own miniature bed frame. This is arguably the most charming IKEA cat hack you can find.

What you’ll do:
Assemble the DUKTIG doll bed (it takes two minutes). It even includes a tiny bedding set. Place it in your cat’s favorite napping spot and prepare for endless adorable photo opportunities.

**Why this works in a small apartment: It’s a small, dedicated “safe space” for your cat. Giving them their own bed can sometimes discourage them from sleeping on your laptop or fresh laundry.

7. EKET Cabinet Climbing Wall: Advanced DIY Cat Furniture

For the truly ambitious DIYer, the EKET series offers a modular way to build a spectacular cat climbing wall that doubles as chic, floating storage.

What you’ll do:
Plan a layout on your wall using a mix of EKET cabinets. Some should have doors for your own storage, while others can be left open or have holes cut in the sides to create a tunnel system. Securely mount each cabinet to the wall studs. You can glue carpet squares to the tops of the cabinets for grip and comfort.

**Why this works in a small apartment: This is the peak of multi-functional DIY cat furniture. It offers your cat an incredible vertical playground while providing you with stylish, modern, off-the-floor storage, making your room feel larger.