What Furniture You Need For Your Indoor Cat in a Small Apartment

6 min readMar 15, 2021

You could go on forever about reasons to get a cat! They are great company, ridiculously cute, and not much compares to cuddling with a cat on a cool day. For those living in a large home, setting space aside for a feline is pretty easy. Litter boxes and cat trees can be hidden away in spare room. However, it can be a challenge when living in a small apartment, where sharing the space is a must. No one wants to look at a ratty cat tree or a smell a litter pan in their living room/dining room/kitchen. Keep your cat happy in an apartment just requires a little extra planning.. and the right type of furniture designed for their needs and your style.

How do you keep your cat happy in a small apartment space?

Hidden Litter Box Enclosure- Only you and your cat will know it’s there.
Cat Scratching Post- Ideally one that’s stylish and doesn’t leave a mess.
Modern Cat Tree- Carpeted eyesores are out. Exposed wood & metal is in.
Cat Wall Shelves- Make use of that wall when floor space is limited.

A Hidden Place For The Litter Box

You need to be creative when finding a spot for the cat litter box if you live in an apartment. One common place is the bathroom, it’s private and away from the general traffic of the home. However, sharing your bathroom with a cat usually means that there will be litter all over the floor, all the time. You will have to sweep or vacuum the bathroom almost every day if you just have an ordinary litter box. A covered litter box can help solve that problem. You can also get a litter box enclosure to help contain the litter.

The Refined Litter Box Deluxe from The Refined Feline is a great option because you won’t have to search for somewhere to hide it. You can hide the litter box in plain sight within this modern hidden litter box enclosure. It can be easily assembled with entry placed on either side. You can even choose the color, size, door panels, and feet so that it purrrfectly matches your home. You won’t have to worry about any smell either. There are slots in the back for carbon filters to keep the air fresh no matter where it’s placed.

Cats Need Something to Scratch

Having something to scratch is essential for a cat. Ideally, you should have a scratching post or two or some cat furniture that has a scratchpad built-in. They are well worth the investment, especially if you have nice furniture. People often wonder how to keep cats from scratching furniture but it’s not rocket science! There are many kinds of cat scratching posts available, just find one that your cat likes!

The A-Frame Cat Bed from The Refined Feline is a great space-saving option. It is not only a cat bed and an end table, but it also features a huge scratchpad that can be replaced if worn. Plus, its wood finish will blend right in with your decor.

Make sure to sprinkle some catnip on any new cat furniture to get your cat interested in it. Also, place it in a location that your cat likes so that they can’t miss it. If you see your cat clawing something else in your house, just pick your cat up and put them in their designated scratching area. Most cats will quickly learn where they should be scratching.

Cats Need the Right Furniture to Be Happy Indoors

The best kind of cat for apartment dwellers is a cat that will be kept indoors and is familiar with being indoors. Some outdoor cats may have a hard time adjusting to life indoors. If a cat is not completely feral though, it can usually be socialized with a little love, time, and patience. Most cats will eventually learn to love their time indoors with the proper tools in place. To make sure that your cat is happy indoors, you’ll want to make sure there are ample places for your cat to play on. Getting your cat’s energy out will be essential for their happiness and for your sleep! A tall cat tree, a cat bed, and some interactive cat toys will usually do the trick.

A great modern cat tree for a small space is The Lotus Cat Tower. It features multiple perches, a scratchpad, and a hidden den all while taking up minimal floor space. If your cat still wants a taste of the outdoors, you can always take your cat for a walk on a harness. Make sure to test the harness out in advance, since many cats are great escape artists. Also, make sure that you don’t go too far and that the area is safe for your cat

Cats Need Time and Space to Play

Cats need at least fifteen to thirty minutes of playtime every day, preferably in a designated area. If you let this responsibility slip, you should expect your cat to be getting into trouble. The best way to go about this is to pick a time in the day when you are usually free and make this “playtime”. Reinforce the use of their scratching post and cat furniture during playtime. It is important for your cat to have space, however small, that is theirs for them to do whatever they want in..

Not home a lot during the day? Adopting two cats is better than one. That is one way to ensure they get enough playtime but that does not mean that you shouldn’t give your cat attention. It’ll just give you some peace of mind when you’re gone knowing that they won’t be as bored or sad when you are not there.

Your Apartment Should Be Cat Friendly

Make sure you have as few breakable items out as possible before you bring your cat home. Cats are curious creatures and it will take some time to train them not to go climbing up on all of your shelves. Small fragile items that may appeal to a playful cat, should be moved to a more secure place. You can put the objects back once you understand your cat behavior. It is best to start off as carefully as possible though.

If your cat likes your shelves just a little bit too much, you can get wall shelves for cats! Modern cat shelves can be strategically placed along your wall. This will give your cats a pathway to play without giving up any floor space. These cat wall shelves come in multiple modern finishes and sizes. Cats will gladly choose these sturdy cushioned cat shelves as opposed to your decorative shelves if given the choice.

With a little planning, it isn’t too tough to bring a cat into your small space. It’s more about how space is used rather than how much space there is. Almost any small space can be catified!