There is a clear crossover between cat lovers and home improvement aficionados. And yet, few talk about the pitfalls of integrating your cats into your carefully curated home aesthetics. Nothing screams “I have a cat” quite like the sight (and smell) of a dirty litter box right in the bathroom.
The goal isn’t to hide that you have a cat, it’s to make your home work beautifully for both of you.
So how can you reconcile being a cat parent and having a Pinterest-like home? Here are a couple tips from our cat experts.
Cat things you may want to make more discreet
As cat ownership expands, more and more cat companies produce aesthetically pleasing cat items. It isn’t very hard to find a cute cat bed, whether you shop in-store or online.
Some cat essentials, however, still have a long way to go before beautiful options can be as widespread. We can definitely cite:
- The litter box. There exist very few stylish litter boxes, and most new cat owners go for the cheapest plastic litter box as a start, never truly parting with it until it is way past a reasonable lifetime. If you have multiple cats, you may even have a couple of those around. Not the prettiest.
- Scratching posts. If you’ve opted for the cheap disposable cardboard scratch pads, it’s just time to change.
- Cat toys. They can be really cute, but they tend to lie around everywhere. A cute storage basket is an absolute must.
- Cat food containers. Between the large (and ugly) plastic boxes and the cute but very small containers, there aren’t very many good options on the market.
In addition, it can be difficult to integrate cat items without overtaking your own decor style in the process, especially with tall items like cat trees or scratching posts.
But in the sea of pet products, we’re pretty confident we can find good alternatives.
Finding subtle but cute cat essentials
If you’re looking to elevate your home and better integrate your cat essentials into your decor, we’ve got a couple of styling tips:
- Look for materials and colors that match your current furniture. If you have a lot of wooden furniture, you may be able to find a cat scratching post with the same wood tones. Likewise, the cat bed could match your couch color.
- Think vertical. Instead of a highly visible cat tree, you could have a couple of cat shelves on the walls. It makes your cat’s needs for activity a little bit more discreet.
- Consider cat furniture or hidden litter boxes. You can hide your litter box inside specifically-designed furniture. They typically contain side openings or flaps to let your cat enter, which makes them a good option to limit odors as well.
The “subtle cat decor” design formula
Now that we’ve got the rules down for the essential items, it’s time to address the elephant in the room. That’s right. Let’s talk cat-themed items.
We’re the last ones to say no to a good cat print to hang on the wall but, let’s face it, they rarely match traditional styles and might only fit eclectic decors.
Here are some decor tips to keep your cat items present yet subtle:
- Keep cat-shaped things to a minimum. We all love a good cat planter, but add that to cat sculptures, cat-eared beds, and paw-print pillows, and your home may look a little too on-theme.
- Avoid loud patterns and colors. If you don’t want your cat items to be distracting from your beautiful decor, avoid flashy colors and patterns. A banana cat bed or a ramen bed may be cute and funny, but they will definitely attract the eye.
- Make it about the details. A small cat portrait on a gallery wall, a cute cat embroidered on a throw blanket… Use cat-themed items sparingly and make cat decor small, only noticeable if you look.
- Match your cat prints to your furniture style. If you have more modern furniture, go with a minimalist cat line art. If you’re closer to traditional or transitional, a moody cat painting might do the trick instead.
Integrating your cat into your decor, room by room
You might have the space for a dedicated cat room where everything lives in one place, but most homeowners don’t, and that’s okay.
When square footage is tight, the goal is to make your cat’s essentials feel like a natural part of your home instead of clutter you’re constantly trying to hide. In this guide, we’ll share practical tips and clever room-by-room ideas for integrating litter, food, and water, scratching, and lounging into your space in a way that works for both you and your cat.
Living room
- Cat bed: match its color with that of your couch or throw pillows. Place it in a corner, mount it to the window, or keep it under a side table for improved flow.
- Cat toys: the living room is likely the most open space to play with your cat so, if toys can’t be helped, corral them in a nice box or woven basket.
- Cat scratcher & trees: Prioritize wall-mounted or couch-corner options to keep your living space from looking like a jungle.
Unless you want litter box odors to greet you and your guests any time you host, we strongly recommend not placing the litter box in the living room. Even hidden litter box furniture will leave an opening for your cat to go, meaning odors will still ventilate around it.
If you really have no other locations to place your litter box, we recommend upgrading to a self-cleaning litter box with a fully enclosed waste drawer to contain odors.
Bedroom
- Cat bed: match the color and material of your cat bed to your sheets or throw pillows. If you regularly change bedding style, match it to your curtains or window treatments instead to keep it coherent.
- Cat trees: if you plan on placing one in the bedroom, look for wall-mounted cat shelves. We recommend against using anything with rope or sisal. You might otherwise be woken up at night by scratching sounds.
- Cat furniture: the bedroom is an ideal location for a cat bed x nightstand combo.
As for the living room, we recommend against placing the litter box in your bedroom for odor control reasons unless you can upgrade to an automatic litter box.
We also recommend keeping cat toys out of the bedroom. Your cat could start associating the bedroom with a location for playing and might wake you up in the middle of the night as a result.
Bathroom
- Litter box: we recommend using a hidden litter box cabinet or side table in the bathroom, especially if it will be used by guests. The bathroom is the number one location your guests will visit in your home so make sure those unsightly poop nuggets are hidden from view (and smell). If you have a self-cleaning litter box, we recommend against placing it in the bathroom as the steam could make electronic parts corrode faster.
Avoid placing cat beds, toys, or cat trees in the bathroom. Cat activity and steam only makes for a hairy mess.
Laundry room
- Litter box: the laundry room is the ideal location for your litter box, whether you’ve opted for a standard litter tray hidden inside some cat furniture or an automatic litter box. That said, avoid placing it right next to the washing machine. Cats prefer calm and quiet environments to do their business and the rumble of the appliances might deter them from using the litter box.
- Cat toys: it can also be a good spot to store your cat toys. Bonus points if you have washable ones.
- Cat furniture: while it can be a good spot for hidden litter box cabinets and cat trees, we advise against using too many cat shelves if you plan on hanging laundry up to dry. The increased activity could result in cat hair sticking to your freshly cleaned clothes.
Kitchen
- Water & food bowls: if you can, find a pet food mat that matches the color of your floor so it blends in. Prioritize materials that are easy to clean. Dedicate a small corner of the room to it and get matching bowls for food and water.
- Cat food containers: pour cat food into a sealed container instead of just leaving it in the bag it came in. It will look cleaner and blend in better with the rest of the furniture. Bonus point if the container is also cute like the options below.
Cat-friendly plants
Last but not least, be careful about your choice of plants before deciding to add some greenery to your home. A lot of popular houseplants aren’t safe for pets, and curious cats love to chew, dig, and swat at leaves.
Cat-safe plant options include:
- African violets
- Areca palm
- Baby tears
- Boston fern
- Calathea
- Cast iron plant
- Haworthia
- Silver nerve plant
- Orchids
- Ponytail palm
- Spider plant
- Swedish ivy
- Silver vine
- Valerian
Avoid these plants toxic to cats:
- Lilies
- Calcium Oxalates (arrowhead vine, calla lily, devil’s ivy, dumbcane, elephant’s ear, mother-in-law’s tongue, peace lily, philodendron, pothos, sweetheart vine, umbrella plant, starfruit, shamrock plant, rhubarb)
- Dogbane
- Foxglove
- Giant milkweed
- Kalanchoe
- Lily of the valley
- Milkweed
- Oleander
- Poinsettias
- Sago palm
- Star of Bethlehem
Stylish cat essentials
Cat beds
Cute cat beds are easy to find, and even a simple grey option will blend into most homes. But if you want something that feels intentional, like it actually belongs in your space, we’ve rounded up the best options we’ve found across the major home décor styles.
Whether your home leans modern and minimal, warm and rustic, classic and traditional, or bold and eclectic, these picks are designed to look good while still being comfortable and functional for your cat.
Best for modern, minimalist & Scandinavian spaces
Folding Oak Wood Cat Hammock - Etsy - $54.99
With its plush cushion, this folding cat hammock is the perfect blend of style, comfort, and practicality for your furry friend. However, do note that the velvet fabric notoriously creates static on pet hair and may collect more fur as a result.
Checkered donut cat bed - Amazon - $24.99
Budget friendly and plushy to the max, this cat ped is a great option for epurated spaces.
Best for boho & Japandi spaces
Vevo woven cat bed - Mau - $89
We just love this cat bed. The chunky knit makes it instantly cosier. This one comes in 5 neutral colors, perfect for boho or Japandi spaces.
Boho cat bed - Amazon - $34.99
A nice, budget-friendly option from Amazon featuring a rope-woven material. Its light, natural feel is exactly what you need to make it blend in with a minimal space. Plus, its small volume makes it easy to tuck under a side table or in a corner.
Best for mid-century modern / traditional spaces
Vintage plaid cat sofa - Mewcats - $84.30
In case you didn’t know, plaid is definitely making a comeback and these cute vintage plaid cat beds are too cute to pass up. And, if it’s stylish, you won’t have to work so hard to hide it.
Handcrafted velvet pet sofa - Etsy - $215
Now, if you really want to up your cat bed game, this olive velvet cat bed might be just the sophisticated touch your space needs. However, do note that velvet tends to trap cat hair with static, so you will need to clean it more often.
Best for fun & playful spaces
Colorful Cat Window Perch - Etsy - From $95
We just had to include this wavy cat bed in our selection. With 8 color options from natural wood to bright red, this cat window perch is perfect for a touch of fun.
Cloud cat corner shelf - Etsy - $64
If you live in a small apartment or home and you’re tight on space, this cute corner shelf bed could be just what you need!
Best cat litter boxes
Cute litter boxes are a lot harder to come by. Many options lean purely practical, which can make it tough to find something you’re actually happy to leave out in your home. That’s why we pulled together the best-looking litter boxes we’ve found between hidden litter boxes, litter box furniture, and self-cleaning litter box options that blend in more naturally, and still deliver on the basics like easy cleaning, odor control, and cat comfort. Hiding the litter box has never been easier.
Faux plant litter box - Amazon - $99.99
Cleverly disguising itself as a cute Montserrat, this hidden litter box blends perfectly into your home decor. That said, we don’t advise placing it in the living room or bedroom as the odors will still linger.
Cat litter box furniture - Chewy - $219.99
Turning the litter box into usable counter space, this simple piece of furniture tastefully hides your cat’s poop.
Litter-Robot 5 - Whisker - $799
If you want to get rid of poop sight AND smell, upgrade to a self-cleaning litter box like Litter-Robot 5. Not only does it negate the chore of scooping forever (simply empty the waste drawer as you go), it also allows you to track your cats’ litter box habits and detect unusual behavior.
Plus, it can be quite the conversation starter.
Best cat trees
Whether you’ve got a high-energy cat breed or simply a cat that likes to climb and stare at you from high above, we’ve compiled a list of the prettiest and most functional cat trees.
Cute cat trees can be surprisingly tough to find. Most are built to be functional first, with bulky carpet, loud colors, and a look that doesn’t exactly blend in. But a great cat tree should still do the job: give your cat sturdy places to climb, scratch, perch, and nap, while fitting your space and holding up to daily use.
Floating Wall Cat Tree with real branch and shelves - Etsy - $127
Handmade with real branches, sisal, and wooden shelves, this modern cat tree gives a stylish playground.
Wall-mounted cat shelves - Whisker - $129 for a 2-pack
Give your cats their own personal wall space with this 2-pack of sturdy cat shelves. This set of two cat shelves features a grand walnut finish and includes two grey cushions that will look tasteful on your walls. The reversible configuration offers an endless variety of fun for you and your cat.
Floor to Ceiling Cat Tree Tower with Hammock - Etsy - $341.05
Designed for scratching, climbing, and perching, it satisfies your cat’s natural instincts while blending seamlessly with your interior.
Best cat scratching posts
Cat scratching posts don’t have to be bulky eyesores. A lot of traditional options take up more space than they need to (and still somehow look cheap), so we set out to find better alternatives.
The picks we’ve gathered are slimmer, sturdier, and easier to live with. The following are designed to fit into your home without sacrificing what matters most: a stable base, durable materials, and a scratch surface your cat will actually use.
Wall-mounted cat scratcher - Etsy - $57.30
This wall-mounted cat scratcher can be lengthened by twisting two cylinders and rope together to increase the length of the scratch from 20 to 40 inches. It can also be hung horizontally or vertically or at an angle to provide the best scratching angle for your cat.
Gravity cat scratcher post - Mau - $699
This viral cat scratcher post is unlike any other in the category. So much so that it looks like some pretty pedestals you could display your most beautiful vase on. Or most beautiful cats.
Wall-Mounted Sisal Scratch Mat - Etsy - $33.60
A modern alternative to bulky cat scratch posts. Flat, stylish, and space-saving, this scratching pad comes in 8 super fun designs for modern homes.
Canvas wall-scratcher - Mau - from $79
Another creative way to integrate a cat scratching post to your decor, in a more minimalist way. With 8 different colors, many combinations are possible to fit your home aesthetics.
Best cat furniture
Cat furniture doesn’t have to feel like a separate category of stuff you’re squeezing into your home. The best pieces do double duty: serving your cat’s need to climb, perch, scratch, and hide while also working as real furniture for you.
Think side tables that happen to be cozy caves, benches with built-in lounging spots, shelves that function as stylish storage and a cat walkway, or consoles that discreetly tuck away pet essentials.
We looked for options that feel intentional in a room, save space, and add function so it’s not just “cat furniture,” it’s furniture that also happens to make your cat very happy.
Large cat cabinet - Target - $179.99
With two ventilated spaces accessible via the middle entrance, this credenza makes hiding the litter box super easy and goes with many decor styles.
A-Frame cat bed & scratching post - Walmart - $124.99
Ideal for tight spaces, this small side table doubles as cat bed and scratching post. Convenient and stylish!
Another scratcher table that’s just too good to pass up. Its small size makes it a perfect side table next to a sofa and it blends in with many decor styles.
2-Tier Wood Cat House - Best Buy - $59.99
Serving as a stylish end table or nightstand, this cat house adds a touch of elegance to your room decoration!
Cat-e-Corner - Hilde & Phil - $379
Because cats can have a tendency to scratch your precious couch, Hilde & Phil came up with the Cat-e-Corner. This cat furniture blends your cat’s scratching surface with a functional table for you - all in one beautiful piece.
Best cat food containers
Cat food containers are one of those small upgrades that make a big difference. The right one keeps food fresher, makes daily portioning easier, and looks far better on your counter or in your pantry than a crinkly bag clipped shut. We’ll cover options that balance function and style, airtight seals, easy-pour designs, pest-resistant materials, and sizes that actually match how much food you buy so you can store kibble and cans neatly without adding visual clutter.
Whisker City® Food Storage Container - PetSmart - $29.99
With clean lines and a 13.5-liter capacity, this cute food storage container will ensure your pet’s food stays protected and ready to serve.
30 lbs pet food storage container - Walmart - $13.79
If you want to buy in bulk and forget about it for a while, this extra large container is just what you need. It can contain up to 30 lbs of cat food, meaning you could easily go 6 months without having to refill it.
Canned cat food dispenser - Etsy - $17.01
This plastic cat food dispenser saves room by storing cans on narrow edge. As you remove one can, they roll forward, always ready for the next meal! Super convenient and stylish.
Conclusion
Bringing a cat into your home shouldn’t mean giving up the look you’ve worked hard to create.
With a few smart swaps, thoughtful materials, and a little planning, cat essentials can feel just as intentional as the rest of your decor. Focus on pieces that blend in, do double duty, and keep the everyday realities (like litter and toy clutter) under control.
Because the goal isn’t to hide that you have a cat, it’s to make your home work beautifully for both of you.
