I live in a hotel room and am in the process of designing a campervan. In my house, T’Siri had a six-foot tall cat tree. She loved to climb the “trunk,” sit on the “branches” and take naps on the top. When I lost the house in a refinance scam, her tree was lost as well.
I know the space inside the van will be small. I went shopping to see what I could install for her. They were way too tall, wide or small for her. Seriously, she’s a full-grown, eight pound Manx. A one foot tall toy won’t get her attention. A three-foot tall tree with a four-foot wide base is too wide for the van.
After searching online for a commercial tree that might fit, I stumbled across a free pattern. That base was too big as well. After studying it, I decided to design one for my darling queen. The base will measure 18″ by 18,” stand roughly three-feet tall and I can secure it to the van’s floor framing. It will not fall over when the van moves.
You can modify the plans to make the tree any size you wish. By looking at other cat trees, you can build flat or curved perches, houses, “hidey-holes,” and more.
You will need:
- · General woodworking tools, measuring and marking tools
- · Carpet remnants. If your cats shred carpet and eat the bits, use upholstery fabric or woven sisal rugs.
- · Construction adhesive
- · One sheet of ½” plywood, two feet by four feet
- · Sandpaper
- · Sisal rope
- · Heavy duty stapler and staples
- · Scrap wood for shelf or platforms
- ·:
Decide on your plan. If this will be a free-standing tree, make the base wider for support. For RV’s or a campervan, this is made to be secured to the floor. This will prevent the tree from tipping over with one or more cats, or while the vehicle moves.
Choose what amenities will be included such as:
- · Shelves
- · Perches
- · Hidey-holes
- · Nap center
- · Climbing ladders
Draw your cat tree. Do not be afraid to show it to your cat. Pet owners know when their cat likes or dislikes a design.
The rest of this plan is my design. You can adjust this to be as fancy, plain, small, wide or tall as you like.
Step Two:
Cut the platform to 18″ by 18.” Sand the top and the edges smooth. Turn the base over and measure four inches in from each side and make a mark across the wood. The corners formed will be where the supports are attached.
Do the same on the other side with light marks.
Step Three:
Cut four lengths of 2-by-2. Two will be 36″ tall and two will be 24″ tall. Affix the posts to the corners with construction adhesive; two tall posts on one side, two short posts on the other.
When the adhesive cures, drill pilot holes and drive 2″ screws through the base into each post.
Step Four:
Measure between the posts and select a place for the shelf. Cut scrap lumber to fit inside. Glue the shelf into place, drill and screw into place to secure each side.
Step Five:
Measure the tall posts from the outside of one to the outside of the other post. Cut a length of 1-by-2 four inches longer. Center and affix to the top using the 1 ½” screws, two screws to each post.
Do the same for the short posts.
Step Six:
For T’Siri, I have leftover rectangular and square cat litter boxes. One will be used as a hidey-hole.
Remove the handle. It will not be used. Cut a hole in the side large enough for your cat to get inside, with about an inch or two of the side. Your cat can stretch out inside or curl up without falling out.
Attach the box to the 1-by-2 with construction adhesive. You can use bolts if you wish. The adhesive will hold. Attach the top of the box. You can leave out gluing it on. This allows you to open it for cleaning inside.
Step Seven:
Cut a second box in half lengthwise to make a perch. Attach it to the 1-by-2. You can also use a concrete form cut in half for this, or a flat board.
Step Eight:
Wrap the sisal rope around the posts very tightly. Secure every ten or twelve wraps with a staple on the inside of the posts. Sisal works well to sharpen kitty’s claws. It is also easy and cheap to replace.
Cover the shelf, hidey-hole and perch with fabric, sisal rugs or carpet remnants. Choose any color you wish.
Step Nine:
For RV’s and campervans, secure the base to the floor joists. When the vehicle moves, the tree will not fall.
Sprinkle liberally with catnip so kitty will appreciate your work. If he or she doesn’t immediately accept it, don’t be discouraged. The cat will most likely curl up in it when you’re not looking.
Of course, all cat owners know that.
A customized cat tree is a great gift for a cat owner.
Source: Staff Article, “Do It Yourself Cat Tree Furniture Building Plan Blueprint,” Tripod.com website, no date given
Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse forms of DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects, RV’ing and more.
