DIY Cat Tree Plans: Floor-to-Ceiling Climbing Tower
11 min read
A quality cat tree at retail costs $120–$400. Building your own lets you customize the height, number of platforms, and aesthetic — and costs as little as $60 in materials. This design includes five platforms, two scratching posts, and a hideaway box.
Cut List
Base platform: 24"×24" of ¾" plywood. Upper platforms: four 16"×16" pieces. Box den: six 14"×14" pieces. Posts: 4" PVC pipe cut to desired heights (typically 12", 18", 24", and 36"). Flanges: 4" PVC flanges × 8.
Covering the Platforms
Use low-pile carpet remnants or sisal fabric to cover all plywood pieces before assembly. Apply carpet adhesive to the board surface. Stretch fabric tight and staple gun the edges to the underside. Trim excess with a utility knife. This step is easiest before assembly.
Post Assembly
Wrap sisal rope tightly around each PVC post, securing the start and end with staples. Use 3" wood screws to attach PVC flanges to the top and bottom of each post. Bolt posts to platforms using the flange screw holes. Pre-drill to prevent splitting.
Final Assembly
Build from the base up. Attach the base platform flanges to the floor (optional — the weight usually keeps it stable). Stack posts and platforms in your chosen configuration. Add hanging toys to the top posts. Check for wobble and reinforce any loose connections with L-brackets.
Materials & Cost Estimate
- ¾" plywood (one 4×8 sheet) · ~$28
- 4" PVC pipe 8 ft · ~$12
- Sisal rope 100 ft · ~$14
- Carpet remnants · ~$10
- PVC flanges × 8 · ~$16
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