From Closet to Cat Playground: Transforming a Walk-In Closet into a Dreamy Feline Funhouse
I met Koko and her husband, Rod, one year before Rod passed away from cancer. After he sadly passed away in 2020, Koko and her daughter reached out to me to take on a special project. Rod’s empty closet was a reminder of the empty space he had left behind. So to bring some joy to an otherwise tragic situation, they asked me to help them convert Rod’s closet into a cat playground.
The Emptiness of a Closet
During a zoom call in the middle of pandemic, Koko and her daughter gave me a video tour of the closet while we dreamed up possible ideas for the space. I had never taken on a project like this before so I was excited for the challenge and honored to be entrusted with something so special.
The Vision
For Koko, the cats served as a source of joy, and she wanted to give them an environment where they could climb, explore, and play. She enlisted the help of a family friend to build the space, making the project even more meaningful.
Step 1: A Fresh Start
Since cats supposedly love climbing trees, I sought to create a whimsical tree house. After clearing out the closet, we prepped the end wall with a bright, whimsical wallpaper featuring birch tree illustrations. This wallpaper set the tone for the design, providing a calming yet visually stimulating backdrop that both cats and humans could appreciate.
Step 2: How The Heck do you Design a Cat Playground?
With no experience with designing a cat playground, I still spent enough time around cats to have an idea what they like. Drawing inspiration from the cats’ natural instincts, I designed a multi-level cat playground with the following features:
- Wall-Mounted Shelves: Custom birchwood shelves were installed at varying heights, allowing the cats to leap and climb effortlessly. These shelves are arranged in an organic flow reminiscent of a forest canopy.
- Hideaway Box: A cozy wooden cubby was added for napping or quiet moments, blending seamlessly with the natural aesthetic.
- Scratching Posts: Sisal-wrapped posts were secured on one side, providing plenty of opportunities for scratching and stretching.
- Cat Hammock: I designed a custom suspended fabric hammock adding an interactive and cozy feature for lounging.
- Climbing Ramp: Curved canvas ramps connected the lower levels to higher platforms, offering easy access and an extra layer of interest.
Step 3: Creating a Beautiful, Joyful Space
I used SketchUp to model everything and rendered a couple images to make sure everything worked. The design wasn’t just about functionality; it was about crafting a space that brought happiness to its owner. The calming neutrals, natural wood tones, and whimsical wallpaper created a cohesive, inviting environment. Every detail was chosen with care, from the sturdy materials to the cat-safe finishes.
Step 4: A Team Effort
This project was deeply personal, and Koko wanted her late husband’s memory to be part of it. She worked alongside a family friend to build the elements I designed, turning the project into a heartfelt collaboration. Their shared effort, coupled with her daughter’s original idea, added another layer of meaning to the space.
The Result
The cats absolutely love their new kingdom, and Koko has found joy in watching them explore and play. She loves hearing them thumping and jumping around even when she’s downstairs. The finished space is more than a cat playground—it’s a testament to how reimagining a space can aid in the grieving journey.
Whether you’re a cat owner seeking inspiration or a designer looking for creative challenges, I hope this story is a reminder that every space has the potential to be transformed into something meaningful and beautiful.
This post contains affiliate links
You may also like…
