Project

Cat Scratching Post

Prime feline real estate features textured surfaces for scratching and indoor/outdoor nooks for napping. But the cat condos with the most curb appeal can be pricey. Head to the hardware store to DIY one that truly has it all.

Photography: Kirsten Frances

Source: Martha Stewart Living, January/February 2020

Introduction

For more ideas, scroll through our entire collection of cat crafts and pet furniture ideas.

materials

Tube (Sakrete Tube for Concrete, 12" by 48", $12, homedepot.com.)

Handsaw (Fiskars Precision Handsaw, 7", $30, michaels.com.)

Hot glue gun and sticks (Surebonder Plus Series Dual-Temperature Hot-Glue Gun, $28, michaels.com.)

Sisal (Sisalcarpet.com Feline Sisal, in Essential Gray, $29 a sq yd., sisalcarpet.com.)

Tray (IKEA Glattis tray, $20, ikea.com.)

Sheepskin (Sejling Sheepskin, in Gray, $50, ikea.com.)

Pencil

steps

Our brilliant base is a sturdy but lightweight cardboard cylinder; this kind is typically used in construction projects to mold concrete. It stands 48 inches tall, so halve it with a handsaw (use the remainder to make a second home, save it for another project, or recycle it).
Sketch on a front door and cut it out.
Hot-glue on a durable sisal exterior, and appoint the penthouse with a shearling-lined tray for lounging with a view.
Optional: Remove the shearling to reveal the brass tray underneath—and convert your cat's abode into a slim side table, just right for setting down drinks.