Give a cat an empty box and it will ignore the expensive bed you bought. Every single time.
Cats love small, snug spaces. A little house makes them feel safe, warm and hidden, whether it sits in your living room or on a cold back porch.
And with winter coming, a warm shelter can make a real difference for outdoor and community cats. Honestly, a good one is easier to build than most people think.
Here are 15 DIY cat house ideas, from five minute cardboard builds to insulated winter shelters, wood plans, pallets and even an old dresser.
Quick Picks
- Fastest build: Easy Cardboard Box Cat House (idea 1)
- Best for winter: Insulated Outdoor Winter Cat House (idea 4)
- Best wood build: Wooden Outdoor Winter Cat House Plans (idea 7)
- Prettiest indoors: Cat House from an Old Dresser (idea 10)
1. Easy Cardboard Box Cat House
This is the quickest cat house you can make, and cats adore it. A sturdy box, a round door, a soft blanket. Ten minutes, done.
Cut the door about 6 inches wide and sand the edges with a nail file so they are not sharp. Tape works, but a hot glue gun holds the flaps much better. Cardboard is for indoors only, since it falls apart once it gets wet.
⏱ 15 minutes💲 Almost free🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- Sturdy cardboard box, about 16 by 12 inches
- Box cutter or craft knife (adults only)
- Hot glue gun or strong packing tape
- Pencil and a small bowl to trace the door
- Soft blanket or old sweater
How to Make It
- Close the top of the box and glue or tape the flaps shut.
- Trace a round door about 6 inches wide on one short side, a few inches above the bottom.
- Cut it out with a box cutter, cutting away from your body.
- Smooth the cut edges and cover them with tape so there are no rough bits.
- Put a soft blanket inside and place the box in a quiet corner.
Tip: Rub a little catnip or put a worn t shirt inside. The familiar smell gets shy cats to try it faster.
2. Cute Cardboard Castle Cat House
Stack two or three boxes, cut little towers and an arched door, and you have a castle. Kids love helping with this one.
Use water based kids paint and let it dry fully for a day before your cat moves in. Skip glitter and small decorations, since cats chew things. A hot glue gun keeps the towers steady.
You’ll need: 2 or 3 sturdy boxes, kids paint, hot glue
Best for: indoor cats and a fun family craft afternoon
3. Simple Storage Bin Outdoor Cat Shelter
This is the classic outdoor cat shelter, and it works. A big lidded tote with a door cut in one end, filled with straw.
Use a strong lidded storage tote and put it on bricks or wood blocks so it never sits in puddles. Fill it with loose straw, not blankets. Straw stays dry and lets cats burrow in for warmth.
You’ll need: lidded storage tote, straw, box cutter, two bricks
Best for: community cats and a quick budget shelter
4. Insulated Outdoor Winter Cat House
When temperatures drop, insulation is what keeps a cat alive and comfortable. A tote lined with foam board traps body heat inside.
Line the walls, floor and lid with foam board insulation panels, then fill the space with straw. In my experience a small door and a snug inside space matter more than the size of the house. A cat’s own body heat warms a small space fast.
⏱ 1 to 2 hours💲 Low🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- Large plastic storage tote with lid
- Foam board insulation panels
- Straw for bedding
- Box cutter and a ruler
- Duct tape
- Two bricks or wood blocks
How to Make It
- Cut a round door about 6 inches wide in one end, a few inches above the floor.
- Cut foam board pieces to fit the floor, walls and inside of the lid, then press them in.
- Cut the same door hole through the foam and tape the edges smooth.
- Fill the inside loosely with straw, never blankets or towels.
- Set it on bricks with the door facing away from the wind and put the lid on firmly.
Tip: In very cold places, an outdoor rated heated pad adds safe warmth. Only use pads made for outdoor pets, with a chew resistant cord.
My Pick
Outdoor Heated Cat Pad
Waterproof, outdoor rated warmth with a chew resistant cord for very cold areas.
5. Two Door Winter Shelter for Outdoor Cats
Some outdoor cats will not enter a shelter with only one way out. A second door gives them an escape route and makes them feel safe.
Put the doors on different sides, and keep both small. If building is not your thing, a ready made insulated house works just as well and lasts for years.
Best for: shy community cats who need an escape route
My Pick
Insulated Outdoor Cat House
Foam lined all round and weatherproof, ready for cold nights straight out of the box.
6. Self Warming Cat House for Cold Nights
No outlet outside? A self warming mat is the answer. It reflects the cat’s own body heat back with no cord at all.
Put it on top of a layer of straw so the cold from the floor does not come through. It is also lovely indoors for older cats who feel the cold.
Best for: porches with no power and older cats
My Pick
Self Warming Cat Mat
Reflects body heat back to your cat with no cord and no electricity.
7. Wooden Outdoor Winter Cat House Plans
A wooden house is the long lasting option. Build it once and it will keep cats warm for many winters.
Keep the inside small, about 18 by 24 inches, and line the walls with foam board. A sloped roof sheds rain and snow. Use pet safe exterior paint on the outside only.
⏱ 1 weekend💲 Medium🛠 Medium
Materials Needed
- Exterior plywood, 1/2 or 3/4 inch
- Foam board insulation for the walls and floor
- 2×2 lumber for the frame and legs
- Exterior screws and drill
- Roofing shingles or a plastic roof sheet
- Pet safe exterior paint and a plastic door flap
How to Make It
- Cut the floor, walls and a two piece sloped roof from plywood.
- Screw the walls to the floor and add short 2×2 legs so it sits off the ground.
- Line the inside with foam board and cover it with thin plywood so cats cannot chew it.
- Cut a 6 inch door, add a flap and attach the roof with a small overhang.
- Paint the outside only, let it dry for a few days, then add straw inside.
Tip: Hinge one roof panel so you can open it to change the straw and check on things.
My Pick
Large Wooden Outdoor Cat House
Insulated wood house that looks great on a porch and keeps the weather out.
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View the 30-Day Plan Printable PDF · Instant download8. Raised Wood Cat House with a Little Porch
A little porch gives cats a sunny spot to sit outside the door. It also keeps rain from blowing straight in.
Build it from scrap wood and raise the whole thing at least 4 inches off the ground. Cats love watching the yard from up there.
You’ll need: scrap plywood, 2×2 legs, exterior screws, pet safe paint
Best for: decks, patios and cats who love to watch
9. Pallet Wood Cat House
Pallets make a sturdy, rustic cat house for almost nothing.
Only use pallets stamped HT, which means heat treated, and skip anything marked MB. Sand every board, fill gaps for winter and line it with straw.
You’ll need: HT stamped pallets, sander, exterior screws, straw
Best for: rustic gardens and budget builds
10. Cat House from an Old Dresser
An old dresser turns into a two or three level cat house that looks like real furniture.
Remove the drawers, cut doorways between levels and add cushions. Anchor it to the wall, sand every edge and use pet safe paint, letting it air out fully.
You’ll need: old dresser, jigsaw, sandpaper, pet safe paint, cushions, wall anchor
Best for: indoor cats and stylish bedrooms
11. Indoor Wood Cat House Side Table
A cat house that is also a side table saves space and hides in plain sight.
Build a simple plywood box with a round door and a smooth top for a lamp or plant. Your cat gets a den, you get a table.
You’ll need: plywood, round hole saw, wood finish, soft cushion
Best for: small apartments and living rooms
12. Easy Fabric Cube Cat House
Not into building? A soft cube cat house is the easiest indoor option and most cats move in right away.
Put it somewhere quiet and a little high if you can. Cats feel safer when they can watch the room.
Best for: indoor cats and zero building
My Pick
Modern Indoor Cat House
Sturdy wooden cat cube with a built in scratching mat that suits a modern room.
13. Modern Minimal Indoor Cat House
A clean white or birch plywood house with a geometric door fits right into a modern room.
Keep the design simple. One box, one door and a thick cushion inside. Sand all the edges round.
You’ll need: birch plywood, sandpaper, clear water based finish, cushion
Best for: modern homes that want style and comfort
14. Two Level Cat House for Two Cats
Two cats often want their own space. A two level house gives each one a spot.
Make the lower level a closed den and the top an open lookout. Add grip strips or carpet to the ramp so nobody slips.
You’ll need: plywood, carpet scraps, screws, two cushions
Best for: homes with two cats
15. Winter Placement and Weatherproofing Tips
Where you put the shelter matters as much as how you build it. Raise it off the ground, face the door away from the wind and keep it against a wall or under cover.
Check the straw every couple of weeks and replace it if it gets damp. Never use space heaters in a shelter, and keep food and water just outside the door, not inside.
Best for: keeping any outdoor cat house warm all winter
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bedding for an outdoor cat house in winter?
Straw. It stays dry and lets cats burrow in for warmth. Blankets, towels and hay soak up moisture and can freeze, which makes the shelter colder.
How big should a winter cat shelter be?
Small and snug. About 18 by 24 inches and 12 to 16 inches tall works for one or two cats, because their body heat warms a small space quickly.
How big should the door be?
Around 6 inches wide. That keeps heat in and keeps larger animals out. Put it a few inches above the floor so straw does not fall out.
Is it safe to use a heated pad in an outdoor cat house?
Only use pads made for outdoor pets, with a waterproof cover and a chew resistant cord, plugged into an outdoor GFCI outlet. Never use space heaters or indoor heating pads.
Where should I put an outdoor cat house?
Somewhere sheltered, raised off the ground, with the door facing away from the wind. Keep food and water nearby, not inside the shelter.
Can I use cardboard for an outdoor cat house?
No. Cardboard soaks up rain and falls apart. Keep cardboard cat houses indoors and use plastic totes or wood outside.
Final Thoughts on DIY Cat House
A cat house can be as simple as a cardboard box or as solid as a wooden winter shelter. Either way, it gives a cat a safe, snug place to rest.
Pick one idea that fits your cat and your space. If you have outdoor cats nearby, build a winter shelter now, before the first real cold night arrives.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.