How to Build a Cozy Cat Hideaway

Create a comfy, private retreat for your feline friend with basic items from the hardware store.

DIY Cozy Cat Hideaway

This comfy cat retreat was built to coordinate with an existing bookshelf in the space.

Photo by: Shain Rievley

Shain Rievley

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DIY Cat Hideaway

01:39

Give your furry friend a discreet and comfortable place to hide with a cubby that blends right in with your furniture!

Materials Needed

4x8 sheet 1/2" nontoxic plywood
circular saw
wood glue
(4) 90-degree corner clamps
brad nail gun
1-1/4” brad nails
6” hole saw
sandpaper

wood filler
(2) mini door hinges
hook and staple latch
screwdriver
drawer pull
paint drop cloth (optional)
paint roller and tray (optional)
zero-VOC water-based paint (optional)

Cut List

top and bottom: (2) 14.5” x 14.75” plywood pieces
sides: (2) 14.75” x 14.75” plywood pieces

front: (1) 14.5” x 15.75” plywood piece
back: (1) 13.5” x 14.75” plywood piece

Cut the Wood

Be sure to choose chemical-free, nontoxic plywood for any projects where pets are involved. Use a circular saw to cut the 1/2" thick plywood into six pieces for the box (see cut list above). If you don’t have a circular saw or aren’t comfortable making the cuts, have the plywood cut to size at the store.

DIY Cat Hideaway: Cut the Wood

Be sure to choose chemical-free, nontoxic plywood for any projects where pets are involved. Use a circular saw to cut the 1/2" thick plywood into six pieces for the box. If you don’t have a circular saw or aren’t comfortable making the cuts, have the plywood cut to size at the store.

Photo by: Shain Rievley

Shain Rievley

Build a Box

Use right-angle clamps to hold the bottom piece and one of the side pieces together (Image 1). Add wood glue to the seam before you tighten everything up. Use the brad nail gun to secure the pieces together with 1-1/4” nails (Image 2). Repeat the process with the second side piece to create a “U” shape (Image 3). Attach the top piece using the same method to make a box (Image 4).

Use right-angle clamps to hold the bottom piece and one of the side pieces together. Add wood glue to the seam before you tighten everything up.

Shain Rievley

Use right-angle clamps to hold the bottom piece and one of the side pieces together. Use the brad nail gun to secure the pieces together with 1-1/4” nails.

Shain Rievley

Use the brad nail gun to secure the pieces together with 1-1/4” nails. Repeat the process with the second side piece to create a “U” shape.

Shain Rievley

Attach the top piece of plywood to make a box.

Shain Rievley

DIY Cat Hideaway: Clamp Side and Bottom Plywood Pieces Together

Use right-angle clamps to hold the bottom piece and one of the side pieces together. Add wood glue to the seam before you tighten everything up.

Photo By: Shain Rievley

DIY Cat Hideaway: Attach Side Plywood Piece to Bottom Piece

Use right-angle clamps to hold the bottom piece and one of the side pieces together. Use the brad nail gun to secure the pieces together with 1-1/4” nails.

Photo By: Shain Rievley

DIY Cat Hideaway: Attach Second Side Plywood Piece

Use the brad nail gun to secure the pieces together with 1-1/4” nails. Repeat the process with the second side piece to create a “U” shape.

Photo By: Shain Rievley

DIY Cat Hideaway: Attach Top Plywood Piece

Attach the top piece of plywood to make a box.

Photo By: Shain Rievley

Drill a Hole

Use a 6” hole saw bit attached to a drill to create a circular opening on the front piece so your cat can easily go in and out of the hideaway (Image 1). Sand until smooth (Image 2). Tip: Place scrap wood underneath the plywood while you drill to prevent splintering. Use clamps to hold everything in place.

Shain Rievley

Use a 6” hole saw bit attached to a drill to create a circular opening on the front piece so your cat can easily go in and out of the hideaway. Sand until smooth.

Shain Rievley

DIY Cat Hideaway: Drill Hole in Front Plywood Piece

Use a 6” hole saw bit attached to a drill to create a circular opening on the front piece so your cat can easily go in and out of the hideaway.

Photo By: Shain Rievley

DIY Cat Hideaway: Sand Hole in Plywood

Use a 6” hole saw bit attached to a drill to create a circular opening on the front piece so your cat can easily go in and out of the hideaway. Sand until smooth.

Photo By: Shain Rievley

Attach the Front

Flip the box so the front is on top. Add wood glue along the edges and carefully line up the corners of the front piece to the corners of the box so everything is even. Nail in place.

DIY Cat Hideaway: Attach Front Plywood Piece

Add wood glue along the edges and carefully line up the corners of the front piece to the corners of the box so everything is even. Nail in place.

Photo by: Shain Rievley

Shain Rievley

Attach the Back

Add a hook and staple latch to the back of the box. Attach the back piece to the box with small hinges (Image 1). A cute leather pull will make opening it simple (Image 2).

Shain Rievley

Add a hook and staple latch to the back of the box. Attach the back piece to the box with small hinges. A cute leather pull will make opening it simple.

Shain Rievley

DIY Cat Hideaway: Attach Hinges

Attach the back piece to the box with small hinges.

Photo By: Shain Rievley

DIY Cat Hideaway: Attach Pull

Add a hook and staple latch to the back of the box. Attach the back piece to the box with small hinges. A cute leather pull will make opening it simple.

Photo By: Shain Rievley

Add a Coat of Paint (Optional)

Patch nail holes with wood putty (Image 1). Leave your cat hideaway natural or paint to coordinate with surroundings (Image 2). We color matched paint (SW-7012) to an existing bookcase in the space. Be sure to use pet-safe, zero-VOC paint.