Are you tired of looking at a litter box or do you have a cat that kicks all the litter out? Try this IKEA Cabinet Kitty Litter Box Hack! The litter box stays hidden within the cabinet and there’s even some room to store an extra bag of litter and cat supplies!

How to Hide a Litter Box with an IKEA Cabinet

Ok, so I went a little overboard with making my own Kitty Litter Box Cabinet. But with two cats and two litter boxes, I was done messing around! 

I mean, would you even guess that there is a LITTER BOX in there?!?

Why I Made This DIY Hidden Litter Box Cabinet

Here’s the backstory: I recently acquired a second cat! Her name is Lucy!  The day I rescued her, I purchased a beautiful, brand new kitty litter box … and then I quickly learned that she kicks litter out of the litter box. There was litter ALL OVER my bathroom floor.

There was more litter on the floor than in her litter box! And if there is poop in there? That got kicked out, too!

Obviously that beautiful, brand new litter box was not working. So, I then DIY-ed a top-loading kitty litter box using a plastic storage bin by cutting a hole in the lid. But there was STILL litter everywhere.

So I decided to make this IKEA Cabinet Kitty Litter Box Hack. This way, she kicks and the litter stays in the cabinet. And, I won’t have to see it! Plus, I have some tips below on how not to SMELL it!

Benefits of Using Litter Box Furniture

I hate (HATE!) looking at the litter boxes, I hate looking at the bags of litter, I hate looking at the scooper, and I’m tired of all the tracked litter throughout my house (even in my bed!), so I thought that an enclosed Kitty Litter Box Cabinet with a little kitty door on the side might be the best way to go. 

It keeps the litter box out of sight, it stores an extra bag of litter, it holds a few cat supplies, and because she walks across a kitty litter mat on her way out, it helps cut down on litter tracking throughout the house. 

How to DIY a Kitty Litter Box Cabinet

A hidden litter box cabinet can help keep a litter box out of sight, provide convenient storage for cat supplies, and contain some of the litter that gets kicked or tracked outside the box. This DIY litter box furniture hack combines a functional cat bathroom with a stylish piece of furniture.

Choosing the Best IKEA Cabinet for a Hidden Litter Box

I went with this IKEA double locker cabinet so I could eventually put a litter box for each cat on each side. If you only have one cat, this is still a great piece of furniture because you can put the litter box in the middle-ish and all of your cat supplies (kitty litter, scooper, catnip spray, laser pointer) on the other side.

2022 UPDATE: Ok, so everything at IKEA is now always sold out, so here are a few other similar options that seem like they would work. Obviously, double-check measurements.

• This cabinet could also work and comes in multiple color options
• Another cabinet, same locker type style, and comes in several color options!
• This taller cabinet could also work if you leave out one of the shelves. Plus, it’s a super cute pink!

If you want to make your own Kitty Litter Box Cabinet using my IKEA Cabinet Hack, the full printable tutorial is below, but first, I’m going to go over the supplies and step-by-step instructions.

IKEA Cabinet Kitty Litter Box Hack Supplies

• IKEA Cabinet
• Cat Door
• Drill and Metal Drill Bits
• Tin Snips
• Pencil
• Gloves
• Litter box – double check the measurements of the box and your cabinet to be sure it fits!
• Kitty Litter
• Litter Mat (optional, but recommended to reduce litter tracking and aid in cleanup)
• Catnip Spray (optional to lure cat to go inside the cabinet through the door

How to Make an IKEA Cabinet Litter Box: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Assemble the IKEA Cabinet

The first step is to build the cabinet. But, don’t install the shelves, you won’t need those. Don’t forget to read the instructions and make sure all the pieces are there before you start! Oh! And be sure to charge your drill so it’s ready for Step 3.

Step 2: Trace the Cat Door Opening

Follow the instructions on your kitty door and trace the outline onto your cabinet. 

Step 3: Cut the Opening for the Cat Door

Use a drill with drill bits that go through metal to drill some pilot holes into your outline so you can get the tins snips into the cabinet and cut out the hole. The hole I made isn’t the prettiest, but I don’t have any machines or power tools, and I did this all by myself. 

So if I did it, you can, too! 

Step 4: Install the Cat Door

Follow the manufacturers’ instructions on the kitty door to install the door onto the side of the cabinet. Please be sure there aren’t any sharp metal edges exposed to your cat after it is installed. 

Step 5: Add the Litter Box and Litter Mat

Place a litter box inside the cabinet and fill with kitty litter.

If you want to reduce litter tracking, place the litter box at the far end of the cabinet away from the kitty door and place a Litter Mat next to the kitty door to grab all the tracked litter before your cat exits the cabinet. 

Step 6: Introduce Your Cat to the New Litter Box

Now all that is left to do is to introduce the cat to the new litter box!

Yay! She went in! 

If you want to see a video of someone following my tutorial and making this cabinet, check it out here. 

How to Reduce Litter Tracking with a Litter Box Cabinet

One of the biggest benefits of this DIY hidden litter box cabinet is that it can help contain litter inside the furniture. Place the litter box toward the back of the cabinet (the other side from the cat door) and add a litter mat near the cat door. As your cat walks out of the cabinet, the mat can catch some of the litter stuck to their paws before they continue through the house.

How to Introduce Your Cat to a New Hidden Litter Box

Most cats are naturally curious, but they may need a little time to adjust to a new hidden litter box cabinet. The easiest way to make the transition is to move your cat’s current litter box into the cabinet so it still smells familiar. Leave the cat door propped open for the first few days, if possible, so your cat can easily explore the new space without feeling trapped. You can also place a few treats or favorite toys near the entrance to encourage them to investigate.

Once your cat is comfortably using the hidden litter box, you can close the cat door and let them use it as intended. Be patient and avoid forcing your cat inside the cabinet, as allowing them to explore at their own pace will help them feel safe and confident with their new bathroom.

Tips for Keeping a Hidden Litter Box from Smelling

A hidden litter box cabinet can keep the litter box out of sight, but regular cleaning is still important for controlling odors. Scoop the litter box daily, clean the cabinet regularly, and use a sealed litter disposal system to keep used litter contained. Good airflow and consistent cleaning will help keep the cabinet fresh for both you and your cat.

I also highly recommend getting a Litter Genie pail. Since I got one for our house, my husband is better about scooping the litter box every single day! And it doesn’t smell! The Litter Genie pail keeps up to 3 weeks of cat poop and I promise you, it DOES NOT SMELL! It might be the best $20 I’ve ever spent. 

Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Hidden Litter Box Furniture

Can You Put a Litter Box Inside a Cabinet?

Yes, as long as the cabinet is large enough for your cat to comfortably enter, turn around, and use the litter box. It’s also important to provide adequate ventilation and clean the litter box regularly to keep odors under control. A cabinet designed for litter boxes or a DIY project like this one can make the litter box much less noticeable while still giving your cat easy access.

Does a Hidden Litter Box Cabinet Smell?

A hidden litter box cabinet shouldn’t smell any more than a traditional litter box if it’s maintained properly. Scoop the litter box daily, replace the litter as recommended, and wipe down the inside of the cabinet during routine cleanings. Using a quality clumping litter and a sealed litter disposal system, such as a Litter Genie, can also help minimize odors.

How Do You Keep a Hidden Litter Box Cabinet Clean?

Vacuum or sweep loose litter from inside the cabinet regularly, especially around the entrance. A litter mat inside or just outside the cabinet can catch litter before it’s tracked throughout your home. Wipe down the interior with a pet-safe cleaner whenever you completely change the litter, and replace the litter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

What Size Cabinet Works Best for a Hidden Litter Box?

Choose a cabinet that’s large enough to fit your litter box with extra room for your cat to move comfortably. If you have a large cat, use an oversized litter box and measure it before purchasing a cabinet. If you have multiple cats, consider using a larger cabinet with room for more than one litter box or building separate litter box cabinets.

Will My Cat Use a Hidden Litter Box Cabinet?

Most cats adjust well to a hidden litter box cabinet, especially if you move their existing litter box into the cabinet rather than introducing a brand new box. Leave the cabinet door open at first if possible, or encourage your cat to explore it with treats and positive reinforcement. Give your cat time to investigate the new setup at their own pace.

How Can I Reduce Litter Tracking?

One of the easiest ways to reduce litter tracking is to place the litter box toward the back of the cabinet so your cat has to walk across a litter mat before exiting. The mat helps remove litter from your cat’s paws before they leave the cabinet. Keeping the litter level appropriate and choosing a low-tracking litter can also help reduce messes around your home.

Is This DIY Litter Box Cabinet Good for Multiple Cats?

Yes, if the cabinet is large enough. For households with multiple cats, it’s often best to provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra whenever possible. A larger cabinet can sometimes accommodate two litter boxes, or you can build multiple cabinets throughout your home so each cat has easy access to a clean litter box.

What Are the Benefits of Hidden Litter Box Furniture?

Hidden litter box furniture helps disguise an otherwise unattractive litter box while giving your cat a private place to do their business. It can also reduce the amount of litter scattered across your floor, provide extra storage for litter and cleaning supplies, and blend in with your home’s décor much better than a standard plastic litter box sitting out in the open.

More DIY Cat Projects and Cat Care Tips

Looking for more ways to make life with cats easier? Check out these DIY cat projects, behavior tips, and practical ideas for creating a more cat-friendly home.

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