Animal-First Architecture: DIY Luxury Fluted Cat Tower

By  Trisha Sprouse
DIY fluted cat tower Trisha Sprouse

We are loving the animal-first architecture trend. Take, for example, our favorite cat tower, which is seriously stylish but also pretty pricey. So, we hacked an IKEA side table to get a DIY similar look for less. This step-by-step tutorial is simple — all it boils down to is adding fluted dowels and bouclé pillow pads — yet the payoff is large. You'll no longer have to endure the eyesore of carpet-covered cat houses or cat trees in your living room, and kitty will have a soft spot to lounge and nap in style.

IKEA hack fluted cat towerTrisha Sprouse

Things Needed

Step 1

Assemble the LISTERBY side table according to the directions included in the packaging.

LISTERBY IKEA side table assembledTrisha Sprouse

Step 2

Place one of the moulding pieces upright against the side table, and mark the height of the table on the dowel. (Ours measured 21 1/16 inches in height.)

Marking height of table on moulding piece with a pencilTrisha Sprouse

Step 3

Use an electric saw or hacksaw to cut the moulding to the table's height (21 1/16 inches), and then use the cut piece as a guide to mark and cut 15 more fluted pieces to the same measurement. Sand any rough edges.

15 moulding pieces cut to 21 1/16 inchesTrisha Sprouse

Step 4

Mark the spacing for the fluted pieces around the top and bottom perimeter of the table. We spaced ours out every two inches. You only want to place fluted pieces around three sections of the table, and leave the fourth section open for kitty to enter and exit.

Marking spacing on top perimeter of table with pencil and tape measureTrisha Sprouse

Step 5

Place wood glue on the back of the fluted pieces and press them to the marks you made on the top and bottom of the table. Wipe away any excess glue, and use painter's tape to keep them in place while they dry.

Gluing fluted wood pieces to table with wood glueTrisha Sprouse

Let the wood glue dry for several hours or overnight, and then remove the tape. At this point, you could use a brad nailer to nail each fluted piece into the table, but we didn't find it necessary since they aren't structural pieces.

Painter's tape holding fluted pieces in place while glue driesTrisha Sprouse

Step 6

Find a round object such as a large plate or platter to use as template for your round pillow pad. This circle measured 15 inches in diameter. Trace two circles onto the back of your bouclé fabric (or other soft fabric like sherpa or fleece).

Tracing two circles onto back of boucle fabricTrisha Sprouse

Step 7

Cut out the two circles on your fabric, and then repeat cutting two circles from the non-slip fabric and two circles from the foam stabilizer.

Three circles cut out of boucle fabricTrisha Sprouse

Step 8

Place the right sides of one bouclé circle and one non-slip circle together. Glue or sew around the perimeter of the circle with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Be sure to leave several inches unsewn so you can flip the fabric right-side out.

Gluing right sides of boucle and non-slip fabric circles togetherTrisha Sprouse

Step 9

Flip the fabric right-side out, and then place one foam stabilizer circle inside the opening. Smooth the foam inside so the pillow lays as flat as possible.

Sliding foam stabilizer into circle pillow coverTrisha Sprouse

Step 10

Turn the raw edges of the opening in by 1/4 inch and sew or glue the opening closed. Repeat the same process to make a second pillow pad.

Gluing opening of circle pillow pad closedTrisha Sprouse

Now place the pillow pads on the top (to create a chic cat shelf) and bottom of the table (to create a little cat bed), and let kitty loose to play, climb, or nap in its new and super stylish cat tower!

IKEA hack fluted cat towerTrisha Sprouse
IKEA hack fluted cat houseTrisha Sprouse

For more DIY cat furniture ideas that will complement your interior decor, you'll love this cat hammock, this modern kitty daybed, and this lovely litterbox.

Recommended