As a cat parent, the litter box is an inevitable if not unpleasant fact of life. But what if it doesn’t have to be so unpleasant after all? Even if you have a self-cleaning litter box that helps cut down on odor, you probably prefer this part of your cat’s routine to be out of sight. If you’re wondering how to hide a litter box, look no further than the tips below!
Hiding your litter box in other areas
You know where you’d like to keep the litter box: as far away from anywhere you’re likely to go in your house as possible, right? Though the basement or laundry room might seem like good locations to you, the best location for your cat’s litter box is actually where the cat wants it, and you may not realize just what your cat is thinking when it comes to where they want to relieve themselves.
Cats like areas that are clean, quiet, and that don't get a lot of traffic. Some cats can be very picky about this and choose to do their business somewhere else if these criteria aren't fulfilled, so it's important to find a compromise. This is especially important if you have a small house or apartment as litter box odors will be stronger if it is not placed appropriately.
Best places to hide a litter box:
1. Closets
Use a closet with enough space for the litter box and ensure it remains easily accessible for your cat. You may even consider installing a cat door or leaving the door slightly ajar for ventilation purposes.
2. Bathroom
A bathroom can be an ideal spot due to its privacy and often low foot traffic. Plus, the bathroom should already be well-ventilated. Place the litter box in a corner or under a sink to keep it discreet.
3. Laundry room
If your laundry room has enough space, it can be a relatively private area. However, the washing machine and dryer may make too much noise for skittish cats and potentially deter them from using the litter box when they are running.
4. Unused rooms
If you have a spacious bedroom or office, it may be a good compromise. Your cat will have enough privacy and the litter box will still be out of sight. Do remember to check on it frequently and don't forget to clean it!
5. Basement or attic
These areas can be isolated, providing a quiet environment for the litter box. However, they may not be ideal for senior cats or kittens. They might have a shorter time frame to pee and it's best to avoid putting stairs between your cat and its litter box, especially if they have arthritis and joint pain.
Areas to avoid
1. High-traffic areas
Avoid placing the litter box in busy areas like the living room, kitchen, or hallway to give your cat a sense of privacy.
2. Close to food and water bowls
Cats prefer to have their eating and bathroom areas separate. Keep the litter box away from their food and water bowls.
3. In direct sunlight exposure
You might have guessed it - direct sunlight on the litter box will exacerbate odors and create discomfort for both you and your cat.
Matching your litter box with your home design
DIY hidden litter box
When attempting to match your litter box housing unit with your home design, in general, you can employ the same approach to utilizing the leftovers.
For instance, if you have wallpaper or flooring or any other materials leftover from renovation projects, you can absolutely incorporate these into your litter box design scheme to further blend it in to your existing interior design.
Tuck away the litter box in the open space beneath a sink or end table. Add curtains or drape stylish fabric for better concealment—and privacy for your cat. Side Table to Hidden Litter Box from Dimples and Tangles
Extra paint of the same color as the walls of the room that you’re considering putting the litter box in, or wooden boxes to house a litter box that will be going in a room that already has a wood motif, either of these, and many more, are great ways to ensure that your litter box isn’t the unpleasantly scented elephant in the room at your next gathering. Have fun with it, make it your own and be proud of it.
Liven up a basic litter box cover with a new coat of paint to match your decor. Or, repurpose leftover wallpaper or carpeting samples—you might just end up with a stylish piece of litter box furniture and cat scratcher in one! Patterned DIY Litter Box Cover from Sugar & Cloth
Matching your litter box with your furniture
If you’re going for something a bit more mainstream, as in right there in a prominent living space, then you’re going to have to elevate your game slightly. One way to make sure that it’s not sticking out like a box of poop in a room is to try and create a housing for it that will blend with your existing furniture.
Much of your existing furniture can be converted into hidden litter box furniture simply by fashioning a hole to allow your cat access. Cabinets, wardrobe dressers, and benches are all optimal choices to hold the litter box. Even a large wicker basket or tote can get the job done!
Consider incorporating a discreet litter box housing structure into your living space, such as a table with mini-drapes or one of the litter boxes that integrate with your sofa or coffee table. To ensure optimal integration with your existing furniture, leverage any leftover materials you may have on hand. Utilizing surplus upholstery from your sofa or extra wood from a previously modified end table can contribute to the construction of a more inconspicuous and harmoniously hidden cat litter box.
Litter box furniture
One of the simplest ways to hide a litter box is with litter box furniture. Whether you live in a small apartment or house, modern litter box furniture is designed for functionality while blending seamlessly with your home decor. Another plus to having hidden litter box furniture? If you have dogs in the house, this setup will prevent them from having access to stinky litter box “treats.”
Litter box storage cabinet
This litter box storage cabinet with a coffee oak finish proves that the best litter box hides in plain sight. Once you place your Litter-Robot or traditional litter box behind these sleek storage cabinet doors, your cat can access the litter box via the interchangeable open side entry.
Litter box credenza
The litter box credenza with a white plank finish is perfect for homes featuring a modern farmhouse style. This attractive piece of furniture has an interior spacious enough to allow for additional litter supplies, alongside your traditional or self-cleaning litter box. The credenza is designed for use with flat panel TVs weighing up to 50 pounds. Or, you can complete your cat’s space by placing a cat bed or two on top!
Don’t stress over how to hide a litter box. Whether you have the budget for new litter box furniture or the ability to DIY the situation, there are opportunities galore when it comes to ways to hide a litter box. As long as your cats have a clean place to go, they’ll most likely adapt to litter box placement with ease!
Hiding the litter box by making it look more interesting
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it a thousand times, your cat’s litter box can be an expression of your most distinctive personal identity. With just a little creativity and some basic crafts and supplies, you can make your cat’s litter box truly unique. Whether you have a conventional or an automatic litter box, the possibilities are endless when it comes to personalization.
Colorful litter boxes
Why not bring a little color into your life and your litter box? Just because it’s not the most appealing thing in the world doesn’t mean you can’t make it look like something a bit more appealing than it is. And what easier way to go about that than by adding some bright color to it, whether it’s paint, paper, tape or you’ve just found a supplier who sells litter boxes in really bright colors? You can bring a little joy to your cat’s poop with color!
Creative litter boxes
If color’s not enough for you, why stop there? Create entire murals, mosaics or any other work of art that you like on your cat’s litter box, and, in doing so, make it something more than just a box of poop. Whether you’re a perfectionist and want to do it all yourself, or you’ve got some little whippersnappers running around the house who you’d like to calm down with a project for an hour or so, it’s a great way to liven up even the foulest litter box.
Designer litter boxes
Now, we don’t necessarily mean pasting on the pattern of your favorite designer (e.g., Louis Vuitton, Coach, Prada, etc.), although you’re more than free to go ahead with that. Believe it or not, there are some major names in the litter box industry, not the least of which is Whisker's very own Litter-Robot. If you want to ditch your bland, smelly, painstaking conventional litter box for something with a bit more flourish, a bit more fun, then you want a cutting-edge Litter-Robot!
For more litter box help, check out our full litter box guide!
Don’t overthink it, because there’s no end to the possibilities of what to do with your cat’s litter box. The only limits are those of your own imagination, so get out there, be brave, be bold, and show the world what you’re working with!
