The best litter boxes that double as furniture

Reclaim your living space by hiding the litter box in plain sight.
 By 
Leah Stodart
 on 
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Overview

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Table of Contents

If you aren't currently living with the luxury of extra out-of-the-way space (like a basement or a junk room of sorts), your cat's litter box is probably going to be in the way.

Most cat owners have essentially surrendered to the fact that having a cat means having a litter box out in the open — and thus begrudgingly accepted the unsavory side effects that come with it. If you know, you know: Flung litter that somehow makes it past the rubber mat and onto the bottom of your feet, the faint combination stench of cat pee and air freshener lingering in the air, and apologies to guests for putting them through that experience when they come over.

But the smartest way to conceal the litter box isn't by tucking it away. It's by strategically hiding it in plain sight.

You may have seen the hack of litter box enclosures that double as furniture or decor on TikTok, where pet owners can be found hollowing out a TV stand or old dresser to fit the litter box inside. If you already have a very specific piece of furniture that you'd like to display, then by all means, rig it yourself.

But there are plenty of options online that don't require any DIY. Shopping for aesthetic litter box enclosures is nearly as easy as shopping for regular furniture: Retailers like Wayfair and Amazon have a ton of options from side tables, to storage cabinets, to giant decorative planters, ranging in styles from rustic to modern to retro. They look like regular furniture that you'd probably buy anyway, but subtly feature kitty-shaped entrance holes, internal space for the box itself, and necessary ventilation. The high walls of the enclosures are clutch for preventing litter tracking and concealing odor.

Many also have built-in storage space for accessories like a scoop or a Litter Genie, shelves, or a flat surface on top for your own knick knacks.

Will cats use litter box furniture?

Obviously, most of these designs are completely enclosed like a covered litter box, so your cat will have to be the type that doesn't mind privacy. (Not all cats will use a litter box with a hood.) If your cat is already used to the covered setup, the adjustment to litter box furniture should be pretty seamless. Most reviewers mention that their cats took to the new enclosure with no problem.

A few adjustments on your end can promote a stress-free transition between litter box locations. Introduce your cat to the new litter box and give them a chance to choose the new one before taking the old one away. (This process could take a few days, so be patient.) Using the same litter can offer a sense of familiarity in the new box, too.

Can you use the litter box you already have?

In most cases, yes. Most furniture that was specifically designed to conceal a litter box was done so based on the average litter pan size and shape (between 20 and 25 inches long and between 15 and 20 inches wide). An absolute unit of a cat will need a larger litter box — the general rule of thumb says that the pan should extend 1.5 times the length and width of the cat.

Litter boxes outside of the traditional plain rectangle kind, like a self-scooping model or one with a pull-out sifting tray like the Tidy Cats Breeze System, will require a more spacious design, but you definitely still have options — just be sure to measure the box you want to use and check the dimensions. There's even a credenza specifically made to house the massive-and-awkwardly-shaped Litter-Robot.

(For each enclosure suggestion, we've provided both exterior dimensions for room arranging purposes as well as interior dimensions to calculate the max litter box size. Dimensions are listed in inches by length, depth (or width), and height.)

Here are our favorite litter box furniture ideas for 2023:

The Good & The Bad

  • Cable hole in back to plug in self-scooping litter boxes
  • Spacious tabletop can hold heavy decor
  • Magnetic double doors
  • Reports of the wood chipping easily
  • Divider can't be placed directly in the middle

Why We Like It

Homes already on the reclaimed wood vibe could seamlessly introduce this side table enclosure into their space. It comes in light and dark rustic brown woods, plus a modern greige. The slats on the side are a nice touch, both aesthetically and for bonus ventilation outside of the kitty-sized hole.

The double doors make the inside of the enclosure super accessible. Inside, there's an optional divider for designating a skinnier storage spot (though your cat can still get through to the other side). Without the divider, the total space available inside measures around 30 inches long and just under 20 inches deep.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Tall all-in-one design has a tiny footprint
  • Nap spots, scratching posts, bowls, and litter box in one condo
  • Attractive rustic wood design
  • Sturdy
  • Limited color options

Why We Like It

Only one free corner to devote to cat necessities? The way this cat condo combines the litter box enclosure, cat tree, and food and water bowls is kind of genius — the total footprint for all of those things combined is just two feet by (almost) two feet.

The four-tier cat condo stands 4.79 feet tall, the bottom being the litter box the actual litter box enclosure complete. Two barn-style magnetic doors open up to a space big enough for a litter box under 18.9 inches wide and 24 inches long. Each of the three levels above offers a crucial cat life component: a built-in elevated food and water bowl stand, a sisal rope scratching post, a cushioned nap spot, and a more private cave perch.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Liners are reusable
  • Faux plant and stones are included
  • Charcoal filter at top neutralizes the smell
  • Compatible liners sold separately
  • Only one plant option

Why We Like It

A litter box disguised as a large floor planter is a clutch choice for anyone who doesn't want to commit to an entirely new piece of furniture. The faux Philodendron that sits atop may be especially appealing to cat parents who have steered clear of the real plant due to its potential toxicity to cats.

Instead of acting as a cover for an existing litter box, the inside of this planter is the litter box, lined with reusable plastic liners that can be rinsed. The green leaves are accompanied by shiny rocks at the base and a carbon filter underneath to neutralize litter box odors before they make it to your living room.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Great for people who don't want to mess with plastic liners
  • Uses your existing litter box
  • Door has magnetic closure
  • Ventilation holes in back
  • Wood is flimsier than that of more expensive options
  • Doesn't come with instructions
  • Front-facing hole

Why We Like It

Fast-track your cat's chic new setup with this litter box cabinet. This compact cube design houses an existing litter box rather than messing with liners, and adding it to a small space shouldn't involve the rearranging that larger furniture-like solutions in this list would.

Usage is self-explanatory: Open the magnetic door and set a standard-sized litter box inside. Despite the mention of absent assembly instructions in a few reviews, the enclosure's straightforward design is easy to put together and clean. The entryway is spacious enough for most cats (not to mention adorably house-shaped) and low enough for older cats to step over.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Separate storage shelf can be accessed without opening door
  • Chic gold accents
  • Great for chunky cats
  • Easy to assemble and clean
  • Only one color
  • Particle board-like material may feel flimsy
  • Front-facing hole shows litter box when looking straight on

Why We Like It

Not into the contrast of wood grain? This all-white side table, souped up with an engraved triangle pattern and gold hardware, would be a clean, cute addition to rooms with a modern style. The open shelf at the top can be accessed without opening the door, making it great for storage unrelated to cat supplies.

Despite having just a single door, this enclosure is far from cramped. Its square shape provides more wiggle room than hardcore rectangular furniture. The entryway provides decent clearance, too — one reviewer mentions that it was large enough for their 24-pound cat. However, because the hole is in the front rather than the side, this piece is more obviously a litter box hack than other furniture on the list.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Litter box base slides out like a drawer
  • Elevated solid pine design
  • Unique ventilation slats
  • Separate compartment for storing accessories
  • Most expensive in the list
  • Height clearance inside is pretty short
  • Tuft and Paw's own Cove litter box does not fit inside this

Why We Like It

Tuft & Paw understands the mid-century modern enthusiast's need for an oversized retro radio-inspired statement piece in the room — even better if there's a litter box inside. A sunken living room and orange carpet are next.

The Rifiuti Modern Litterbox is indisputably stylish, but has features past the gorgeous pine build that (mostly) justify the $699 price tag. Inside, the actual pan sits on a tray that slides out like a drawer for easy cleaning. There's also a separate compartment along the side to store the scoop. Outside, it doubles as a spacious decorative tabletop for your favorite maximalist trinkets that your cat will definitely knock off.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Fits large litter boxes, including the PetSafe ScoopFree
  • Cushion is removable
  • Multiple colors of wood available
  • Requires a screwdriver that's not included

Why We Like It

There is prime biscuit-making real estate on the (removable) cushioned top of this litter box bench. Possibly the most versatile piece of furniture on the list, options for placement range from laundry room storage to an entryway accent to a makeshift version of the window seat you've always wanted.

The spacious interior of this bench can be divided to create a separate storage space for you or as a wall between two smaller litter boxes. Without the optional divider, a pretty sizable litter box fits, including the PetSafe ScoopFree.

Details

The Good & The Bad

  • Fits Litter-Robots 2-4
  • Litter-Robot ramp also fits inside
  • Built-in power hub with two USB ports
  • Option to add an Odor Trap Pod
  • Kind of expensive for composite (not real) wood
  • Only one color

Why We Like It

Hiding a four-foot-tall egg-shaped Litter-Robot is a task and a half — one that almost no generalized litter box enclosure is going to fit. That is unless it was specifically designed by Litter-Robot to conceal its own litter box.

If you have the floor space (and extra cash) for an entirely new statement piece of furniture just for your cat's bathroom, this coastal farmhouse credenza seals the deal as the most luxurious litter box setup on our list. It's huge but can serve multiple purposes past a side table or nightstand. The piece can even hold mid-size TVs up to 50 pounds.

Details

Topics Pets

Leah Stodart
Leah Stodart
Senior Shopping Reporter

Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers and tests essential home tech like vacuums and TVs, plus eco-friendly hacks. Her ever-evolving experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.


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