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Cat Shelves - A great idea !

post #1 of 29
9/18/09 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 
I'm just looking at different varieties of cat furniture. I came across wall shelves for cats and thought what a good idea. I thought I'd make a post because I've never heard of this before and thought perhaps others might not have.

http://www.katwallks.com/
http://www.catsplay.com/cat_wall_systems.php3

It's especially good if you live in an apartment. I live in one but its spacious and I can fit a few cat trees in it (though I don't have yet). I have a bare wall in the living room and a few of these would be just great !! Plenty of climbing space for my babies !!
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post #2 of 29
9/18/09 at 9:02pm
I did one for almost nothing.... Went to home depot, bought the shelves and the brackets, the carpet... Cut the carpet with regular scissors, glued it on with a glue gun, and hung in on the wall... the kitties LOVE IT!!!! ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!
The large shelf is 6ft wide,and the smaller ones are 2ft wide. It was a fun project to make, and one that I definitely recommend to anybody... Kitties really do love it!!
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post #3 of 29
9/19/09 at 1:34am
Thread Starter 
When I looked at the prices 50-100 dollars a piece I thought eek hang on I could have a go at making some of those and I'm no DIY expert! I think thats a really great idea making your own and wouldn't cost too much.I think I might take a trip to a DIY warehouse soon. Just need some brackets, planks, carpet, nails. Cool!! I think they look good too they blend in with the environment and if I was a cat, I'd love it !
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post #4 of 29
9/19/09 at 3:26am
walkway around the room near the ceiling. My husband made it. Then one day I said I wanted a cat tree. Well, we had an ice storm that broke the top off one of our huge maple trees. He took it in his workshop, trimmed it up, put a stand on it of 2x 4's, put two platforms with sides in a couple of places. I lined them with carpet and stenciled cat prints on them. They love going up near the ceiling especially in the cold weather, it so warm up there!
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post #5 of 29
9/19/09 at 3:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by farleyv View Post
walkway around the room near the ceiling. My husband made it. Then one day I said I wanted a cat tree. Well, we had an ice storm that broke the top off one of our huge maple trees. He took it in his workshop, trimmed it up, put a stand on it of 2x 4's, put two platforms with sides in a couple of places. I lined them with carpet and stenciled cat prints on them. They love going up near the ceiling especially in the cold weather, it so warm up there!
Oh - that must be AWESOMEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! Do you have pictures???
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post #6 of 29
9/19/09 at 4:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RussianKitten View Post
When I looked at the prices 50-100 dollars a piece I thought eek hang on I could have a go at making some of those and I'm no DIY expert! I think thats a really great idea making your own and wouldn't cost too much.I think I might take a trip to a DIY warehouse soon. Just need some brackets, planks, carpet, nails. Cool!! I think they look good too they blend in with the environment and if I was a cat, I'd love it !
RussianKitten - you can do it for MUCH less than that!!!

A few pointers for you: carpet: Glue it with a glue gun - it dries fast, and it doesn't have harmful toxic fumes for your kitties... If you have dry walls, like me, make sure to get the appropriate hardware for it... You can buy 2 strips of 2ftx6ft, or 12ft - get the thinnest carpet you can get - it is very easy to cut with regular scissors...
The laser level is a great tool if you are doing it on your own, like I did...

So, here is what you are going to need:
Shelves
Brackets
Carpet
Scissors
Glue gun
Screws
Drywall Anchors (if mounting on dry walls) (I advise the ones for 75lbs, to support the jumps)
Screw Driver
Hammer
Level, (you can go fancy and get a laser level )

And............ a free day to do it

For the six shelves, I didn't spend more than $100, and that includes things like the level, and the glue gun, things that people usually have at home... Without it The whole project would cost about $60 I think...
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post #7 of 29
9/19/09 at 4:12am
All terrific ideas! I don't have any wall space...boo hoo!

Unless.....I have one wall...it has framed pictures of my nieces and nephews on it. I wonder......
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post #8 of 29
9/19/09 at 4:20am
Just as a note, if you have flat white walls, you will probably have to repaint that wall when you move out (if you live in an appartment). It's amazing how dirty (I would guess litter dust and natural oils) even white cats are! You will be able to tell where they've been walking and touching the wall.
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post #9 of 29
9/19/09 at 4:25am
The shelve are great! I love the idea. carolinalima I love what you have done for the cats. Terrific way for the cats to get some exercise in the house. I'm saving this thread for hopefully a future project. Thanks for sharing your ideas everyone!
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post #10 of 29
9/19/09 at 4:45am
[IMG][/IMG]

That is a pic of my cat wall. I have since added more squares, but the girls really are lukewarm about the whole thing.
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post #11 of 29
9/19/09 at 5:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WELDRWOMN View Post
[IMG][/IMG]

That is a pic of my cat wall. I have since added more squares, but the girls really are lukewarm about the whole thing.
Maybe because the squares are too small? so they can't lounge on it? just a thought... mine just love it - they run up and down, they sleep on it... but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that the shelves are wide enough for them to run, lay down on it, wrestle with each other....
The other thing I think it makes a difference is the carpet surface on the top of it... Mine love to use it as a scratcher.... But..... your LOOK GOOOOD!
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post #12 of 29
9/19/09 at 5:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
Just as a note, if you have flat white walls, you will probably have to repaint that wall when you move out (if you live in an appartment). It's amazing how dirty (I would guess litter dust and natural oils) even white cats are! You will be able to tell where they've been walking and touching the wall.
That's for sure!! Plus close a few holes on the wall as well... Well worth it IMO
LOVE LOVE LOVE the sound of the world coming down with them chasing each other up and down that thing!!! they go up the cat tree, jump onto the shelves, wrestle, back down, and again! So much fun!!!
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post #13 of 29
9/19/09 at 6:08am
I want to do something like this in our house. Especially in the cat room..When we replace the windows in there Id love to get a giant shelf to place under the window with a ramp going up to it since I have window kitties.Right now most of our windows have plastic over them to keep cold air in during the summer and cold air out during the winter..But if that window gets replaced Im going to do my best to convince Bf that we need shelves in the cat room for them..And to get him to build me a cat tower!! I want one so bad but Im not willing to pay close to 200 bucks for one when I can make one myself.
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post #14 of 29
9/19/09 at 6:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3CatsN1Dog View Post
I want to do something like this in our house. Especially in the cat room..When we replace the windows in there Id love to get a giant shelf to place under the window with a ramp going up to it since I have window kitties.Right now most of our windows have plastic over them to keep cold air in during the summer and cold air out during the winter..But if that window gets replaced Im going to do my best to convince Bf that we need shelves in the cat room for them..And to get him to build me a cat tower!! I want one so bad but Im not willing to pay close to 200 bucks for one when I can make one myself.
I had a blast building it - seriously - would do it all over again!!
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post #15 of 29
9/19/09 at 6:29am
I have always admired this type of things, especially the shelves waaay up high in the corner of the room - my cats would ADORE having a system like that. I will make something like this for them someday... and the shelves right under the window, too.
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post #16 of 29
9/19/09 at 7:50am
Thread Starter 
Watching them chase up a cat tree and a long the wall shelves and down them, would sure beat the up the curtains round the back of the tv over my head and along the sofa back to the curtains circuit they have at the moment. well I hope, oh those poor curtains and my head
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post #17 of 29
9/19/09 at 10:07am
I LOVE cat walls! Often when I recommend to someone they think about vertical space, I post a link to the Katwallks hall of fame - and mention that if someone in the family is handy, it can be done for a lot less. No room in the RV for something like that - but I can't imagine a cat that wouldn't completely love it!
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post #18 of 29
9/19/09 at 10:42am
My kitties' favorite places:
the kitty wall's top shelf, and the window sills... they are occupied 90% of the time... and that' wher my kittycam is pointing 99% of the time as well ...
When I get a job I will be adding to it - long shelves around the apartment - kind of a pathway/runway... and little shelves in the corners for them to get on it... this way it is not overwhelming and they can run the whole apartment close to the ceiling... I do think I am going to be living in this apartment for a while anyways, so.... Fun!!!

But If I bought a house I would be hiring those folks from the cat house to remodel it - can you say I am a cat freak??
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post #19 of 29
9/19/09 at 6:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinalima View Post
My kitties' favorite places:
the kitty wall's top shelf, and the window sills... they are occupied 90% of the time... and that' wher my kittycam is pointing 99% of the time as well ...
When I get a job I will be adding to it - long shelves around the apartment - kind of a pathway/runway... and little shelves in the corners for them to get on it... this way it is not overwhelming and they can run the whole apartment close to the ceiling... I do think I am going to be living in this apartment for a while anyways, so.... Fun!!!

But If I bought a house I would be hiring those folks from the cat house to remodel it - can you say I am a cat freak??
Not any more than any of us I fear.!

I fantasize about having my own house with room enough to build them a loft against a high wall....with steps and ramps and cubbies and shelves galore. I plan to have a little secret door at the top and at the floor level leading into my bedroom on the other side of the wall.

Maybe even a run about a foot below the ceiling that goes through the whole house, with little doorways cut into the walls between rooms.
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post #20 of 29
9/19/09 at 6:21pm
I know!!!! Fun fun fun!!! Its like having your own climbing wall.... only for the kitties details!!!!

Have you seen the Cat's house? AWWWWW MEN! And now they do projects for houses, shelters, rescues....

http://www.thecatshouse.com/
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post #21 of 29
9/19/09 at 6:51pm
I've seen some neat looking cat shelves on Moderncat (www.moderncat.net)
They have several DIY projects using shelves too: http://www.moderncat.net/category/diy/

Also--
"Refined Feline" cat shelves
http://www.therefinedfeline.com/





"Urban Pet Haus"
http://www.urbanpethaus.com/content/perch.htm




"Curve" pet bed
http://www.akemitanaka.com/curve.htm

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post #22 of 29
9/20/09 at 7:31am
Very nice ideas and products here.
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post #23 of 29
9/20/09 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nekochan View Post
I've seen some neat looking cat shelves on Moderncat (www.moderncat.net)
They have several DIY projects using shelves too: http://www.moderncat.net/category/diy/

Also--
"Refined Feline" cat shelves
http://www.therefinedfeline.com/





"Urban Pet Haus"
http://www.urbanpethaus.com/content/perch.htm




"Curve" pet bed
http://www.akemitanaka.com/curve.htm
I know - I saw those when I was planning my wall... but........... one detail........$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
They are awesome though, if you have the cash, and a modern looking home - neither one applies here...
BTW - don't you love that website - I love them!!
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post #24 of 29
9/20/09 at 1:00pm
I think this looks great but how do you keep them from going from the wall to the counters? I am a stickler about no animals on the tables/counters and I fear this would lead to "other" climbing. Do you find this to be true? I guess I could do it in a hall or bedroom where there is no eating surface. Besides that, I don't want my living room to be decorated for the cats...its already decorated for the kids
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post #25 of 29
9/20/09 at 1:21pm
That's funny... I don't have that problem here.... maybe I am one of the lucky ones... but no kitties on kitchen counters or tables for me...

But I hear you on the decoration issue - I am definitely the maid, can opener, poop-scooper, automatic cuddler and rent payer of the household
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post #26 of 29
9/20/09 at 1:29pm
Funny how that happens. We really aren't the boss, as much as I like to think I am. I have a corner in my living room I could do some corner shelves...neat!
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post #27 of 29
9/20/09 at 6:53pm
I did one shelf for my girls as an alternative way to get down from the cat tree, and I'm thinking of doing more.



We had a shelf from an old bookcase we don't use anymore, so I just went to Home Depot, and bought 2 ft of carpet runner which was a couple of dollars a foot, and used heavy duty rounded (u-shaped) staples, and hammered the carpet in on the sides. Because the staples are rounded, there's no sharp edges to worry about.

Then I just put brackets into the studs, attached them to the ledge and voila - cat ledge for about $5. They love it
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post #28 of 29
9/22/09 at 4:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by carolinalima View Post
I know!!!! Fun fun fun!!! Its like having your own climbing wall.... only for the kitties details!!!!

Have you seen the Cat's house? AWWWWW MEN! And now they do projects for houses, shelters, rescues....

http://www.thecatshouse.com/

Ooooh!! Look at those snazzy high level walkways and the way they have a cut at the top of the wall that travels through the house

As soon as I got my own place I am sure having that !!!! MEOW !!!

I also love those shelves from urban pet house. I think they look so stylish.
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post #29 of 29
9/22/09 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahp View Post
I did one shelf for my girls as an alternative way to get down from the cat tree, and I'm thinking of doing more.



We had a shelf from an old bookcase we don't use anymore, so I just went to Home Depot, and bought 2 ft of carpet runner which was a couple of dollars a foot, and used heavy duty rounded (u-shaped) staples, and hammered the carpet in on the sides. Because the staples are rounded, there's no sharp edges to worry about.

Then I just put brackets into the studs, attached them to the ledge and voila - cat ledge for about $5. They love it
That's Awesome.... now they are hooked.... and you too!
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