16 DIY Litter Box Enclosures You Can Build Today (with Pictures)
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Unless you teach your cat how to use the toilet, you’re guaranteed to have at least one litter box in your house. Some cat owners have the space to place the litter box in a little used area of the house where guests don’t have to stare at a cat toilet during game night. However, you may not have that option if you live in a small space.
Thankfully, if you’re handy and have access to tools, you can craft your own litter box enclosure to keep your cat’s business out of sight (and maybe smell). Here are 16 DIY litter box enclosures you can build today.
The 16 DIY Litter Box Enclosures
1. DIY Litter Box Cabinet by Domestically Creative
| Materials: | Used cabinet, 1 ½ inch trim, liquid nails, wood filler, chalky paint, sandpaper, clear wax, drawer pulls |
| Tools: | Tape measure, pencil, drill, ¾ inch spade drill bit, miter saw, clamps, finish sander, paintbrush |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This detailed plan transforms a thrift-store cabinet into an upcycled litter box enclosure. Although the project is not overly complicated, it is time-consuming and requires more specialized tools, such as a miter saw. The directions are clear and easy to follow, with the author including some mistakes she made while creating her project so that others can avoid them.
This litter box enclosure can be painted to match any room décor and provides space on top to store items. The hardest part of this project might be the patience it takes to find just the right cabinet from a thrift store!
2. DIY Basket Litter Box Enclosure by All the Little Details
| Materials: | Wicker basket, ribbon |
| Tools: | Wire cutters, pencil, glue gun |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This easy litter box enclosure project requires minimal time, effort, and materials. The instructions are well-written and illustrated with photographs. Although the author made her enclosure using an IKEA wicker storage chest, it could technically be accomplished utilizing any basket with a lid that’s large enough for a litter box.
You could also use the top of the basket to store soft goods and further disguise the litter box. Although it’s easy to make, this may not be the cheapest DIY litter box enclosure, depending on where you purchase the basket.
3. Cat Face DIY Litter Box Cover by A Beautiful Mess
| Materials: | ½ inch-thick plywood, 1 ½ inch boards, nails, wood glue, two small hinges, cat-shaped opening template, wax paper, paint |
| Tools: | Jigsaw, hammer, pencil, drill, paintbrush, miter saw (optional), tape measure |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate-hard |
This cat-shaped litter box cover takes your enclosure from functional to adorable! While the directions are clear, this project requires experience with tools like a jigsaw and precise measuring and cutting. It’s best for a person with some previous DIY experience.
The materials and tools list at the beginning of the directions isn’t complete because it doesn’t mention needing a drill or hammer (we put them on our list, though!) You can customize the size, roof, and paint color of this cover based on your preferences.
4. 3-Drawer DIY Litter Box Enclosure by Mer Issa Mom
| Materials: | 3-drawer plastic storage enclosure |
| Tools: | Box cutter |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This litter box enclosure might be the easiest option on our list, if not the most visually appealing. It’s also cost-effective if you purchase the three-drawer storage option from the store suggested by the creator. Once you have it, you’ll need to make two quick changes with a box cutter to produce the enclosure.
We suggest not following the example of the video instructions and keeping your cat out of the drawers while cutting! This project will only work if your litter box is small enough to fit into the bottom drawer, but the plastic material provides some flexibility.
5. Flowerpot DIY Litter Box Enclosure by HomeTalk
| Materials: | Large plastic flower pot, pot saucer, floral foam, fake plants, moss, litter, plastic bag |
| Tools: | Wood-burning tool, file, sandpaper, scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This unique project isn’t so much a litter box enclosure as an actual DIY litter box. The directions are simple and easy to follow, but it requires a woodburning tool that not everyone can access. Otherwise, this project should be fast, uncomplicated, and relatively inexpensive.
This may not work if your cat is on the larger side, depending on the flowerpot you can find. It is somewhat customizable in that you can pick the fake foliage you use and swap it out if you want. Unless you paint the flowerpot, you’ll also be limited by the colors you have available.
6. Patterned DIY Litter Box Cover by Sugar and Cloth
| Materials: | Plywood, 1 ½ inch wood screws, four “L” brackets, painter’s tape, wood stain, fine sandpaper, paint |
| Tools: | Three foam paintbrushes, ruler, pencil, drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy-moderate |
This partly open litter box enclosure is a good option if you’re trying to disguise a taller litter box. The creator designed it for a Litter Robot, but it will work for any covered litter box with some modifications. This project is good for inexperienced DIYers because it doesn’t require specialized tools, and the directions are easy to follow.
You will need patience, attention to detail, and a steady hand as you create the pattern. The enclosure can be customized to match your home décor based on the stain and paint colors you choose. In theory, you could also modify the pattern if you feel extra creative.
7. Inexpensive DIY Litter Box Enclosure by Instructables
| Materials: | Side table, poster board, tape or hot glue |
| Tools: | Jigsaw, drill, screwdriver, tape measure |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This litter box enclosure is perfect for those with no DIY experience and a limited budget. You might already have all the materials you need for this project at home, especially if you have an end table to repurpose. If not, buy the cheapest one you can find.
This project should take less than an hour and doesn’t require any special skills or tools. Cut, measure, and attach, and you’re good to go! The catch is that you’ll be limited in the litter box you can use with this project by the size of the end table.
8. DIY Dresser Litter Box Enclosure by Reality Daydream
| Materials: | 3-drawer dresser, plywood, piano hinge, wood glue, paint, sandpaper |
| Tools: | Scissors, measuring tape, pencil, straight edge |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This project is a sturdier, higher-end version of the dresser litter box enclosure we discussed earlier. The creator upcycled a dresser they already had on hand, but if you don’t have one in your garage, expect to spend some time thrifting the perfect option. The only requirements are it has three drawers and is made of wood.
Once you have the dresser, the project is fairly simple but requires power tools and basic DIY knowledge. You can customize the color of the dresser to match your décor. This enclosure opens easily for cleaning, which might be its best feature.
9. DIY Litter Box Enclosure and Seating by Pine and Poplar
| Materials: | 4 x 8 foot ¾ inch plywood, 3 full overlay concealed hinges, sandpaper, edge banding, wood glue, 1 ¼ inch Kreg screws, 1 ¼ inch #6 screws, stain, sealing wax |
| Tools: | Drill, circular saw, Kreg Jig, electric sander, jigsaw, Kreg Concealed Hinge Jig (optional) |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate-hard |
This litterbox enclosure is sturdy enough to double as a seating bench if needed. These same plans can also be used to make a storage chest with slight modifications. This project requires you to build the enclosure entirely from scratch, with no upcycling in sight, so it’s best for those with some DIY experience.
However, the directions are extremely detailed, including exact measurements for the plywood required, so it could be attempted successfully by an ambitious beginner as well. Customize the stain color for your house and add a cushion on top if you want this enclosure to serve as a bench too.
10. “Dog-proof” DIY Litter Box Enclosure by Instructables
| Materials: | 18-gallon storage container, 30-gallon storage container, scrap wood, mat or carpet, 4 wood screws |
| Tools: | Jigsaw, tape measure |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Try this simple litter box enclosure if you also have a dog at home that enjoys raiding the box for “kitty treats.” The creator cautions that this enclosure isn’t truly dog-proof so much as dog-resistant. A strong and determined canine could probably still get inside.
The enclosure is easy to make and requires only a few materials. However, you need a jigsaw to make it go more smoothly. If you’re looking for a litter box enclosure that’s more practical than stylish, this is the project for you.
11. DIY Storage Container Litter Box Holder by Living Locurto
| Materials: | Storage container, litter mat |
| Tools: | Jigsaw, drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This project also uses a storage container to enclose your litter box, but it’s so simple that anyone should be able to accomplish it. Like many of the projects on our list, it requires a jigsaw. Because there are so many sizes of storage containers, the enclosure should work for a litter box of any dimension.
It’s a good choice for owners of large breed cats like Maine Coons or Ragdolls. Adding a litter mat to this enclosure helps cut down on the mess, in addition to keeping the box out of sight.
12. DIY Litter Box Cabinet with Curtains by Saw on Skates
| Materials: | Wood (varies) ¾-inch brad nails, 1 ¼-inch pocket screws, 1 ¼-inch wood screws, 2-inch wood screws, 2 ½-inch pocket screws, 1 ¼-inch finish nails, ¼-inch washers, wood glue, 5 knobs, 4 hinges, tension rod |
| Tools: | Tape measure, pocket hole jig, drill, miter saw, circular saw, Kreg Accu-cut, table saw, brad nailer or hammer, drill bits, countersink drill bit set |
| Difficulty Level: | Hard |
This repurposed cabinet litter box enclosure features cute curtains, making it a good option for those with farmhouse décor. This is one of the most complicated plans on our list, but you have the option to use repurposed items for part of it. You’ll need some specialized tools like a pocket hole jig that the beginner DIYer probably won’t have or know how to use.
However, the directions are extremely detailed, including measurements and diagrams. There’s a quick bonus tutorial on making your own curtains for the enclosure as well.
13. DIY Furniture Litter Box Enclosure by Worst on the Block
| Materials: | Furniture, sandpaper, paint or stain, |
| Tools: | Measuring tape, jigsaw, pencil, square |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This highly customizable plan is designed to work on any furniture you can thrift or find on the side of the road. The directions go into detail about features you should look for when selecting the perfect piece of furniture to serve as your litter box enclosure.
Once you find the right furniture, it’s simply a matter of cutting holes for your cat to enter, then sanding and finishing it to your specifications. The original creator repurposed an old storage bench, but this plan would work on many types of furniture.
14. DIY Litter Box Cabinet with Pet Door by Alexandra Gater
| Materials: | Metal cabinet, pet door, washer, nut, cabinet pulls |
| Tools: | Measuring tape, pencil, metal scissors, drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This video tutorial shows you how to repurpose a metal cabinet (from IKEA in the video) into a litter box enclosure with a pet door. The creator admits to not being good at projects, so this enclosure is a good choice for beginning DIYers. It’s made with a cabinet purchased new, so this isn’t the most inexpensive litter box enclosure.
The tutorial does a good job of troubleshooting potential problems on the project, so anyone following along will know what to do. This litter box enclosure is specifically intended for those who live in small spaces.
15. DIY Top Entry Litter Box Enclosure by Charleston Crafted
| Materials: | Plywood, wood glue, screws, hinge, casters |
| Tools: | Measuring tape, pencil, jigsaw, circular saw |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This litter box enclosure features a top-entry feature, a hinged lid for easy cleaning access, and wheels so it can be rolled out, again to simplify access. You’ll be building this entire enclosure from scratch, so the project is best for those with some DIY experience.
The size can be customized, allowing you to fit the enclosure into tight spaces if necessary. Not all cats like top-entry boxes, so monitor your kitty’s reaction to the enclosure carefully.
16. Crate DIY Litter Box Enclosure by The Fluffy Kitty
| Materials: | 2 wooden crates, carpet or bathmat, litter mat, sandpaper, paint, glue |
| Tools: | Saw, ruler, rotary tool kit |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This litter box enclosure is another option for those trying to decorate in a farmhouse style. It’s made from two wooden crates, which can often be sourced from grocery or liquor stores. The directions are not the most descriptive, but the project isn’t very difficult, so they’re still easy to follow.
As a bonus, this litter box enclosure also features food and water bowl holders and a sleeping spot on top. The crates can be stained or painted any color, but that part of the project can be time-consuming because of all the cracks.
Final Thoughts
No one likes having a litter box in the room, but buying a commercial enclosure can get expensive. These 16 DIY litter box enclosures offer a variety of visual styles and customization options, so hopefully, you can find one that fits your taste.
No matter how experienced you are at DIY projects, there is a litter box cover on this list that you can tackle.
Related Reads:
- How to Hide a Litter Box: 20 Clever Ways (With Pictures)
- How to Keep Litter from Sticking to a Litter Box
Featured Image Credit By: RJ22, Shutterstock
