7 DIY Cat Window Perches With No Screws You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
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Outdoor cats can relax in the cool grass, climb trees, and roam the neighborhood, but their indoor friends have to seek entertainment inside. Indoor felines enjoy longer lifespans than outdoor kitties, but they can become bored and anxious without mental stimulation. Windows can offer indoor pets a view of the great outdoors, but unfortunately, most sills are not designed to support lounging cats.
With a window perch, your cat can follow all the action outside or fall asleep comfortably in the warm sunlight. Commercial window perches are overpriced, though, and some models are not stable enough to hold large kitties. So, we compiled a list of the best DIY cat window perch plans that don’t require screws, so you save money and treat your feline to an incredible view.
The 7 DIY Cat Window Perches With No Screws
1. Hanging Perch by HGTV
| Materials: | 8-inch concrete form, industrial-strength glue, synthetic rope, suction cups, carpet remnant |
| Tools: | Utility knife, ruler, marker |
| Difficulty level: | Low |
This simple perch from HGTV uses a concrete form supported by suction cups to create a clever hanging perch. You can find several concrete-form products, but this plan uses a cylindrical one made of coated lightweight fiber. After cutting a hole in the center of the tube to form the basket, you cover the material with carpet to give your pet a comfortable surface. The author created this design for a kitten, so we suggest using another plan for larger cats. The suction cups may slide down the glass if a heavy kitty jumps in the perch.
2. DIY Catio by MyOutdoorPlans
| Materials: | Lumber of various sizes, polycarbonate, screws, hinges, latch, safety gloves, safety goggles |
| Tools: | Hammer, tape measure, framing square, level, miter saw, drill, screwdriver, sander |
| Difficulty level: | High |
If you want to spoil your pet with an enormous catio, you can build this complex project in 6 to 8 hours. If you do not have experience with framing, we suggest trying a simpler design. Constructing the catio is like adding another addition to your home, and you probably should check your neighborhood’s covenant or HOA guidelines to ensure the catio does not violate building codes. You’ll need a significant supply of lumber and plenty of tools to complete the job during daylight hours, but the finished product is sure to make your favorite pet happy.
3. IKEA Catio by Cuteness
| Materials: | Hejne shelves, lumber, chicken wire, door hinges, door bolts, doorknob, wood screws, sliding screws |
| Tools: | Staple gun, wire cutter, power drill, Allen wrench |
| Difficulty level: | High |
This IKEA Catio is not quite as complicated as the previous design, but it is not a project for an amateur. Instead of using multiple lengths of lumber, this catio uses two IKEA shelving units. If you’re unfamiliar with IKEA products, you may be surprised how often you’ll use an Allen wrench to construct the shelves. IKEA loves hex screws, and your hands will probably need a rest before building the door. Unlike other patio designs, this unit includes a door you can access from the outside in emergencies. This project is ideal for multiple cat families because it has several platforms to play on and rest.
4. DIY Hanging Basket Perch by Hymns and Verses
| Materials: | Basket tray, shelf brackets, jute rope, thin plywood, cat pillow |
| Tools: | Utility knife, ruler, marker |
| Difficulty level: | Low |
You can buy a basket tray to make this hanging basket perch, or you can use a braided basket gathering dusk in your attic or storage room. Although this design uses brackets attached with screws to support the basket, you can use brackets with adhesive to preserve the wall below your window trim. If you purchase a pre-cut length of plywood, the only tool you’ll need to complete this project is a utility knife to cut the jute rope. Adding a cozy cat pillow or blanket creates a comfortable bed for your pet to watch the birds and squirrels.
5. DIY Macrame Hammock by Macrame for Beginners
| Materials: | Macrame cords, wooden rings, square pillow, S-hook |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty level: | Moderate |
If you’re familiar with macrame knots, you’ll love this gorgeous macrame hammock for cats. The website includes an in-depth tutorial on knot tying and constructing the hammock for cat owners who have never made a macrame design. You can hang the hammock from an S-hook attached to a wall near the window or use an S-hook secured to a stud in the ceiling. The only tools you need are your hands for tying knots, and you’ll probably be ready to tackle other macrame designs after a bit of practice.
6. DIY Hammock by Inspirational Momma
| Materials: | Deck spindles, fleece, nails |
| Tools: | Hammer, hand saw, or miter saw |
| Difficulty level: | Low |
This hammock is ideal for homes with floor-to-ceiling windows. The author saved a bundle of supplies by using spindles from an old deck, though if you can’t do the same, they’re easy to find. You can paint the wood to match your furnishings, or you can leave the frame as it is for a weathered, rustic look. After building the structure by nailing the spindles together, you only have to tie a large piece of fleece to the top, and you’re done. If the spindles are in good condition and do not require sanding or sawing, you can finish the plan in less than 30 minutes.
7. DIY Cat Bed by Project at the Pickett’s
| Materials: | Sewing thread, large cushion or cat bed, IKEA shelves or entertainment center |
| Tools: | Sewing machine |
| Difficulty level: | Low |
This design from Project at the Pickets is intended for dogs, but you can use a smaller cushion and table for your cat. The author sewed an attractive cover on a large cushion to create an elevated bed for her dog. You can follow the sewing instructions to create a unique pillow cushion or use an ordinary cat pillow or bed without the cover. The base of the bed is an open cabinet, but you can try IKEA shelves or an entertainment center kit to support the bed.
Conclusion
Cats love to keep tabs on the outdoor environment and fall asleep in front of the window on a bright, sunny day. A window perch gives them a comfortable viewpoint to watch wildlife, and most of the DIY plans discussed here can be constructed in a few hours or less. We hope you enjoy building a window perch for your lovable furball, and we’re sure your cat will love relaxing in their cozy new bed.
See also:
- DIY Cat Scratch Board and Pan Plans You Can Make Today
- DIY Floor-to-Ceiling Cat Tree Plans You Can Make Today
Featured Image Credit to: Saman Tsang, Unsplash
