Cat litter box ideas — Simple and easy IKEA DIY projects

Jules Yap·
Pet Furniture
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Let’s face it, commercial cat litter boxes aren’t the prettiest. Nor cheap.

The good thing is, making a cat litter box is not hard at all.

Check out these ideas for a cat litter box using IKEA items only.

3 simple cat litter box ideas

Sara’s wheelaway cat litter box

Sara sent me her cat litter box constructed from 2 IKEA SNACK boxes.

IKEA Hack of a cat litter box in green with hinges and a half circle cut out entrance for the cat
All done!

She flipped a smaller SNACK box on top a larger one. Cut a hole for her large kitty to go through and attached the two boxes with hinges.

Should you want to paint it, do remember to paint it before you construct the boxes – it will save you time painting round the metal plates. Sara also added wheels. Last thing is to place a litter pan in it and you’re set.

IKEA Hack of a cat litter box in green with hinges and a half circle cut out entrance for the cat
Cut an entrance for your cat with a jigsaw
hinges to hold the two boxes together
Attach the two boxes with hinges

View Sara’s cat litter photoset and instructions on flickr.

Robert’s pawsitively cute version

This is the cute version of Sara’s idea. Same 2 SNACK boxes but with a square cut-out, which is probably easier to achieve.

The stenciled paw prints are just too cute, don’t you think?

IKEA Hack of a cat litter box in beige with stenciled paw prints
Inside view of the opened cat litter box with pan and sand
metal handles

See Robert’s instructions on his flickr set.

Dee’s kitty litter hideaway

This is Dee’s version, build from a HOL storage box.

She cut out a section from the side for a concealed litter box that’s big enough to hold an extra large litter box, the extra litter and all the extras (poop scoop, litter deodorizer and bags).

IKEA HOL storage box with a cut out on the side for the cat
Opened HOL box with view of litter pan and accessories

Dee also added 2 BYGEL cutlery caddies with the center section of the holders cut out so they could be hung through the holes of the HOL storage box. Perfect for brushes, combs and extra little things she uses for her pampered persian!

Dee’s bonus: You can use the piece you cut out from the HOL as a kitchen trivet!

(On a side note, after a year running this site i’ve received only one doggie IKEA hack. Dog lovers not IKEA hackers? :O )

Other IKEA cat furniture you may like:

> build your own cat stairs
> stairway to cat heaven
> compact kitty box
> cat bed
> the cat pod

Jules Yap
Latest posts by Jules Yap (see all)

49 Responses

  3. This is a great hack, but since you can no longer get the Hol storage box in the US, I’m frustrated and sad. Same for the Norrebo storage bench idea. Damn you IKEA, bring back these items! Some of us have cat litter boxes we’d like to hide, in style!

    Reply

  4. The APPLARO outdoor storage bench LOOKS like it might be *comparable* to the HOL storage bench.

    Alas, ’tis NOT available in my area (South Florida), AND it’s not available for purchase online through IKEA’s website. Naturally. :: exasperated sigh ::As a kitty parent (borderline hoarder), WHAT can I do to manage the litter situation?! I’ve got SIX kitties (no judgment; they’re rescues) and a fair amount of lack furniture (and a relatively decent amount of artsy/creative skill). HEEEELLLLLPPPP! Please.

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  5. We just found what might be a suitable replacement: Applaro.
    It’s an outdoor storage bench that’s sturdy enough to sit on. We’re planning to cut a hole in the end and somehow keep it from coming completely unraveled. The whole thing is plastic and very cleanable so here’s hoping! I wish IKEA still had the snack boxes because that makeshift trunk is amazing!

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  6. Such an awesome idea on the HOL cabinet! We were able to get one in September at our Ikea in Seattle. Works great! Also I was able to “upholster” a piece of the cardboard box it came in with fabric and batting… now it looks like its actually part of our bedroom set! 🙂

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  7. Bummer! Well thanks for posting so I didn’t look all over. Would love to hear of any suggestions for an alternative 🙂

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  8. Unfortunately the HOL cabinet is no longer being carried by IKEA. I live within driving distance of 3 IKEAs and none had it in stock. I had contacted IKEA and they said the manufacturer had discontinued making the cabinet so when they sell out that will be it. Too bad.It was a great idea.

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  9. Amanda place one of those scratching pads between the litter box and the opening, the litter should mostly fall in there when the cats walk over it.

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  10. I have a HOL litter box and I used a plastic clear storage box for a litter pan, cut it down on one side for entrance. It works perfect – with my cats I needed high sides and the clear plastic can’t be seen from the outside – it works great. I like the HOL concept because there is air flow and it is light inside unlike a lot of other covers that are dark and enclosed completely.

    Anybody have ideas of a night table/cat box?

    Reply

  11. I used the Hol to make a dog proof place for our cat to eat. Works amazingly well. Have crafty dogs, so I added a basic lock (twist style, like old school refrigerator).

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  12. Im so glad I found this site… I was not looking forward to “building” my own wooden cabinet nor purchasing custom ones I saw online… I will be visiting my Ikea very soon to get started on this project. I was very excited when I saw they were in stock!

    Reply

  13. I just made the Hol litter box this weekend, and I’m THRILLED with it. It looks awesome, the hole was simple to cut out with my little saw, and the litter corner went from an eyesore to a great accent. I use a large covered litter box from Target and it fits perfectly. Thanks so much for the idea, I’ve been meaning to do this since it was posted, hurray for procrastination!

    Reply

  14. I LOOOOOOVE this idea for the litter box, but I’m wondering where to find the “snack boxes?” I’ve obviously checked out IKEA, but I must be looking in the wrong area, because I can’t find them anywhere!!! HELP A CAT LOVER OUT!

    Reply

  15. I just bought the Hol storage bench and turned it into a litter bow for my cats- great idea! I put some cushions on top and its a great place to sit- no one would ever know that it’s actually a litter box. I’m so happy with it!

    Reply

  16. I just went to IKEA near Cincy, OH and they have them there! I cant wait to do this project – I have been trying to design something similar as I was even looking at lattice! I am so glad to see this as its awesome! Thanks again for posting the HOL Hacker kitty box/storage!!!

    Reply

  18. Hello,

    I found the Hol last weekend at the Brooklyn IKEA. Still not available online, but there are some out there!

    I’m planning to cover the inside with plastic fabric (ala the blue IKEA bags) to avoid litter spills. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

  19. If you don’t see the Hol storage table on the ikea website, make sure to call the store because they may just have it in stock (as per my experience).

    Reply

  20. Thanks for showing off the Hol mod for hiding the kitty litter box. I already had one, and I used Dee’s picture to figure out how much to cut. It is great! I have my cat’s fully enclosed litter box inside the Hol. In my situation, I am still having tracking issues outside the opening, but nothing can come out from the inside since I have an enclosed box within. I will soon be experimenting with differnt litter and mats to attempt to stop the litter tracking issue.

    Reply

  22. Been there done that too! After researching all the products and designs out there, I didn’t find what I needed. So, I first made my own too. I wanted to hide the litter pan, and contain the mess. AND, needed to stop the litter tracking! We have wood floors. Litter is like sand paper. With my bad back it hurt to bend over or kneel down to scoop, so, I made my first Out of Sight Litter Box back in 2003. All my cat owner friends that saw it wanted one… so I found a cabinet company to make them. Now, I sell them on the web. You can see, and read more at my site: outofsightlitterbox

    Reply

  23. Excellent! I’ve been contemplating adopting a cat who has come on hard times and is looking for a new home. I don’t have anywhere in my small cape cod for a litter box that’s not like–HELLO! I’M A LITTER BOX in the middle of the room! This has completely helped me make up my mind!!! I’m gonna throw this cool creation together and tell the lady he’s living with that I will take him!!! Thanks for helping me make up my mind!

    Reply

  24. Well done! I must say that from a priarily design stantpoint, you’ve done very well. Carry on.

    Reply

  26. it seems as if the bench is only available in the uk 🙁 i would really love to know if anyone’s found any alternatives to the hol bench. it’s exactly what i need and i’ve been looking everywhere, but can’t find it!

    Reply

  27. I LOVE the Hol idea, but I’m not seeing it on the Ikea site. Do you know if it’s been discontinued? We just got an Ikea a few years ago here in Portland, Oregon. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply

  28. Heh, dog lovers are ikea hackers too, but probably not as neat as the cat lovers (as messy as our dogs, lol). We probably have to ikea-hack our way to keep our stuff safe from the dogs!

    Reply

  31. Melanie is right, it is listed, but good luck with buying the HOL storage bench… you can’t order it from the website and it isn’t stocked at any of the 3 IKEA stores that I could reasonably drive to. The IKEA Customer Service gave me the cold shoulder and basically said, “too bad, no special orders.” Why do they bother to put stuff in the catalog if they aren’t going to let you buy it?

    Reply

  32. i checked with IKEA and they’re restocking the HOL bench at the end of June. I actually found one on craigslist! i can’t wait to do this project!!

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  33. i’m seconding Steve’s ask. Anyone find anything comparable now that the Hol is out of the picture? I’d love to make a large litter box hiding spot for my cat, but having trouble finding something large/inexpensive enough.

    Reply

  35. My cat likes the hood on his box, but it’s ugly, and there are all those extras lying around whick make the whole thing an unattractive site. I wonder if the box, with the hood on it, would fit here. Perfect for a cat like mine, really fixated on privacy!

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  36. this is such a great idea..i’ve been looking for a cool way to hide the litter box…plus i buy everything from ikea..

    Reply

  39. My cat did not like her litter box with a hood and would get out of there without covering–causing a lot of odor. This Hol storage box is perfect because it allows me to hide the litter box but still allows ventilation inside so that my cat is covering like she’s supposed to do. Thanks for the great idea!

    Reply

  41. You could line the inside with Plexiglas, which would help eliminate spillage from the litter shot put stars (like my cat). The Plexiglas wouldn’t interfere with the general look of the box, either.

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  42. I have been trying to do something like this but could never find the right furniture. As soon as I saw the Hol version I ran out to IKEA to pick one up to make my own. thank you for the great idea.
    PS: I lined mine with RATIONELL Drawer Matt. The little nubbs help eliminate litter tracking and catches any “misses”.

    Reply

  43. We actually looked at the hol storage box as a possible litter box before deciding to go with the snack boxes. I liked the look of the hol, but my cats like to kick the litter around and I wanted something that would contain it better.

    Reply

  44. My kitten is a mess… he throws litter everywhere! So far I haven’t had a single problem with litter getting outside of the holes on the “Hol” storage cube. I vacuum around it daily and rarely get that “sucking up litter” sound. Maybe it has an invisible forcefield? Who knows, it just looks great and my new neighbors have never suspected a thing.
    To “cool” this one up I’d suggest painting it something more vibrant. I considered a lime green stain but my “slightly conservative” husband wrinkled his nose up at the concept.

    Reply

    1. You got it! That’s a definite and I have the big dome and they still didn’t get the fit right, the pee goes right out still, a poor design. This however is some “my kinda folk” clever! All these boxes at least cure the bank shot and it’s wipe it up and away when you open the awesome designs! Very cool!

      Reply

    2. Right on, it’s always the “bank shot: and the “pee through plastic as I have the dome and it’s still a design flaw, the groove to separate the top shell from the bottom doesn’t do the job, the pee can still get out. I must say these designer boxes are the best, still a wipe up and away mess but you have concealment and the look in the home is fantastic! I am impressed and what a great idea! Custom is the way to go!

      Reply

  46. I think the first one is much cooler looking, but I’m with Anne – the wooden one seems much more functional.

    Reply

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