DIY Cat Tree with Hammock

DIY cat tree with hammock

DIY cat tree with hammock

Ikea items used: BEKVÄM 3-step stepladder, GURLI blanket, drill, flower pot, fabric scissors, mat.

Materials for DIY cat tree

First you will need a cat, an IKEA BEKVÄM stepladder, some cheap fabric (I went with an IKEA GURLI throw), upholstery foam, rope and tools (hot glue gun, scissors, measuring tape, drill, stapler).

I have a small bucket pictured here for attachment in the future when I’ve grown cat grass or catnip in it. I will be attaching it by drilling in a hose clamp.

Wrap the steps with rope

Wrap the steps with rope

Before assembly, wrap and hot glue the rope around the parts you want covered. I did the steps and bottoms of the legs. You’ll want to wrap it tight so that it doesn’t come loose when your cat is scratching it. Make sure you leave enough space at the ends for easy assembly.

Add foam to the top step

Add foam to the top step

Next, cut the foam to fit the top of the stepladder. Attach it how you see fit. We drilled it in because that seemed like the quickest way to make sure it was secure. Our concern was that otherwise it might slip when she’s climbing it.

Wrap foam with IKEA GURLI blanket

Wrap foam with IKEA GURLI blanket

Wrap foam with IKEA GURLI blanket

Wrap foam with IKEA GURLI blanket

Measure and cut your fabric the correct size for the top part of the step ladder. Staple that down and create holes into the fabric to line up with the existing holes in the wood. Assemble using the IKEA instructions. The striped mat is also from IKEA. I didn’t take pictures of this step, but we decided to add a hammock using the leftover fabric. We measured it out, folded it in half, sewed shut the ends and nailed it into the bottom of the step and back part.

DIY Cat tree with hammock

I made the banner using pieces of the IKEA box and some leftover rope. We also added a dangly rope bit as a toy (mostly to keep her from eating the banner). Sprinkle with catnip and it is complete.

DIY cat tree

~ by Maylee Bossy