21 Clever Ways to Hide a Litter Box (with Pictures)
Litter boxes are unsightly and smelly, making them the least fun part of owning a cat. However, you don’t have to be a slave to the cat box anymore! There are lots of great options for keeping the litter box out of sight and out of mind, without preventing your cat from accessing it. There are plenty of things that can interfere with your ability to hide or disguise your litter box, like available space or the needs of your cat. Regardless of your circumstances, there are at least a couple of ideas for you to try out in your space. Keep reading for 21 great ideas on how to hide your cat’s litter box.
1. Litter Box Cabinet
Cabinets make excellent litter box homes! You can cut access holes in the side, top, or back of a cabinet to allow your kitty to get to the box. The cabinet doors make it easy for you to access the box for cleaning. You can add plants or décor on top of the cabinet to make it look like a “normal” piece of furniture.
2. Litter Box Basket
Large, decorative baskets with lids can be used in a similar way to a cabinet. Cut a hole in the side of the basket for cat access to the box and use the lid for cleaning access. You might consider treating the basket with a waterproofing material to ensure any box accidents don’t ruin the box, especially if the box is made from a natural or absorbent material.
3. Litter Box Bench
Benches are becoming more and more popular in homes for their multiple functions. They can be used for seating, storage, decoration, and you can even use a bench to disguise your litter box without losing its functionality. This is a great option if you have a window seat or bench in an area of the house that isn’t used frequently.
4. Pull-Out Drawers
Pull out drawers can be used to house a litter box whether they’re built into the house or a free-standing piece of furniture. Simply cut a hole in the wall or side of the drawers to allow your cat access. The drawers themselves pull out for easy cleaning. This is a really great use for pull-out drawers inside of cabinets that you aren’t sure what to do with.
5. Side/End Table
Side and end tables are a good option for disguising a litter box because it’s a piece of furniture you can still use for its normal purpose while it hides the box. Open-ended tables make a good choice for this purpose because you don’t need tools to cut holes. You can cover the open sides with curtains or fake walls if you prefer.
6. Fake Out
An attractive dresser can be altered to become a litter box hideaway by cutting side openings and removing the front panels from the drawers and securing them with glue or nails onto the front of the dresser. This gives the illusion from the front that it’s a regular dresser, without giving away that there’s a litter box hidden away inside.
7. Scratching Post
Lots of commercial scratching posts have hideaways built right into them. You can repurpose one of these hideaways into a litter box storage area, especially if your cat doesn’t make use of the hideaway for naps or play. If you are using a prefab scratching post, it may take some changes to be able to put a litter box in it and still be able to access it for cleaning.
8. Cat House
Just like a doghouse, you can make or purchase a cat house without a bottom that can be used as a home for the litter box. Simply set up the house, stick the box in, and let your kitty do the rest. To clean the box, you can lift the house right off for easy cleaning access.
9. Under the Sink
If you have a lot of under sink space that you don’t use, a litter box spot can be a great use for this unused space. If your under-sink space is within a cabinet, you will need to provide access points for your cat. If your under-sink space is open, then you can use cabinet doors, frosted glass, curtains, or anything else you can come up with to hide the box behind.
10. Under Plants
Pots that disguise litter boxes can be a great alternative to litter box homes without losing functionality. There are some commercial pots available that allow you to hide a litter box inside of them. These usually have a faux plant built in. If you prefer a real plant, you can DIY your own pot that has open space in the bottom for a litter box. Just remember to pick cat-safe plants!
11. Curtain
Shower curtains and outdoor fabrics can be used in a variety of ways to hide a litter box. You can use any curtains or fabric that you prefer, but shower curtains and outdoor fabrics will be the easiest to keep clean. Curtains can hide boxes under sinks, in cabinets, in side tables, and anywhere else you feel needs a little something extra.
12. Plastic Tote/Container
This is a fantastic option if you just want the box out of sight but don’t have a preference on the way it looks. Plastic totes can be used to hide a litter box but can also be used to DIY a litter box that meets whatever special needs your kitty may have. Plastic totes can be used under and in other spaces as well, like under sink and cabinet spaces.
13. Under Stairs
Do you have one of those weird little under stairs closets that you aren’t sure what to do with? With a few adjustments, you can make this a litter box hideaway. Just provide an access point for your cat and you’re good to go!
14. Drop Down
Drop down litter boxes are nice picks for homes with dogs and children that may attempt to mess with the litter box. You can purchase or DIY a drop-down litter box. If you DIY one, you can make it from just about any materials to make it suit your space.
15. Catwalk
This is a great twist on a dropdown litter box. Cut a hole in the top of a cabinet or other somewhat tall piece of furniture, then put the litter box off-center. Provide a second level your cat can jump to from the box that is made from a grate or other matrix-shaped item that won’t hurt kitty paws. This catwalk allows extra litter your cat may have on their feet to be dropped off before the leave the box, limiting the amount that makes it out into the house.
16. Cat Door
Cat doors can be installed in pretty much any door, even though many people think of them as an access to the outdoors only. A cat door can be installed in bedroom, bathroom, or closet doors to allow access to a litter box without visitors having to see the box. You can also install a cat door in a door that accesses a garage or mud room, so your kitty can access their box and the box stays out of the main part of the house.
17. Locker/Tool Chest
A home locker or metal tool chest can make a great disguise for a litter box. These can be high price items when purchased new, but you can likely find one for a great price at a yard sale or secondhand store. If you have the proper equipment to safely cut openings and cover any sharp edges, this can be a cool look for a home with an industrial feel.
<iframe src=”https://assets.pinterest.com/ext/embed.html?id=155303887281634029″ height=”655″ width=”600″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” ></iframe> If you’re hesitant to cover or otherwise disguise your litter box because it may be too dark for your cat, consider adding some inexpensive lights. Low powered motion lights are an excellent option that can light up a small space without breaking the bank or drawing too much attention to the box.
19. Fancy it Up
If all else fails, you can make the litter box itself look nice. If you have a covered box, this is especially easy to pull off. You can paint the box with non-toxic paints, so it matches your space and décor. You can use hot glue to add accents onto the box without altering the functionality of the box. There are lots of “fancy” litter boxes that are built to be seen as well.
20. Dress it Up
Think of all the little touches you can that will help improve the appearance of the litter box or the area around it. Outdoor fabrics can be used to make fabric accents that are easy to keep clean. Molding and picture frames can be used to clean up the entrance to a litter box space, like in a cabinet.
21. Potty Train
If none of these ideas have worked for your space or your cat, then you can always potty train your cat. There are lots of kits available that include step-by-step instructions to help you train your cat to go in the toilet, saving you the trouble of dealing with litter or a litter box at all. Just don’t expect your cat to flush!
In Conclusion
Did any of these ideas inspire you to make a litter box hideaway? Furniture and supplies for many of these projects can be purchased at significant discounts from secondhand stores and flea markets, although you can purchase them new if you prefer. Stores with modular furniture options, like Ikea, can also be great starting points for these projects, without having to spend a ton on a piece of furniture for a litter box. Litter boxes may be unsightly, but they’re worth it knowing you have the companionship of your cat. Some people are hesitant to get a cat because of the “yuckiness” of a litter box, and that’s understandable. They aren’t the nicest thing in the world to deal with, but finding ways to hide your box, or eliminate it altogether, can make owning a cat more about the relationship you share with your cat and less about having to deal with cat waste.
Nicole is a lover of animals of all sizes but is especially fascinated with the feline variety. She’s the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese, and works every day so he can relax in the sunshine or by the fire. She’s always had a cat in her home and has spent countless days with others, observing behaviors and softening up even the grouchiest of the lot. Nicole wants to share her kitty expertise with you so you and your cat can live happy, healthy, and care-free.
