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Bettesworth Construction
cat furniture

Build a DIY Mid-Century Modern Cat House That Doubles as an Accent Table

Make a mid-century-inspired plywood cat hideaway with a round entrance, stained finish, and hairpin legs using this reference cut list and build sequence.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 3 min read
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This enclosed plywood cat house doubles as an accent table: a six-panel box with a 6-inch round entrance, a stained finish, and four hairpin legs. The reference plan uses 3/4-inch plywood and pocket-hole joinery. Its designer reported spending about $40 and roughly four hours of working time on her 2022 build; those are project estimates, not current price or time guarantees.

What this design includes

The project is a simple enclosed hideaway rather than a cat tree. The flat top provides an accent-table surface, while the circular front opening leads into the box. Designer and builder Brittany Goldwyn Merth described her approach this way: “I try to make their cozy caves and hiding spots part of a room—not just a piece of cat furniture.”

The published plan specifies a 6-inch entrance and four 6-inch hairpin legs. It does not provide a cat-weight rating or a tested load rating for the top, so do not assume the finished piece is suitable for a cat to climb onto or for heavy objects. Consider whether the entrance and interior will suit your cat before cutting; the plan does not provide a separate fit guide.

Cut list and shopping checklist

Start with one 4-by-8-foot sheet of 3/4-inch plywood. Daily Paws notes that a home-improvement store may cut the sheet if you do not have a table saw. Have the six panels cut to these reference dimensions:

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Mellownido Retro Radio Cat House, Large Foldable Cat Bed Indoor Cat Cave
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Panel Quantity Dimensions
Sides 2 14-1/4 by 14-1/4 inches
Front and back 2 15-3/4 by 15-3/4 inches
Top and bottom 2 15-3/4 by 14-1/4 inches

Gather the following items; the reference plan specifies sizes but does not require a particular brand.

  • Materials: one 4-by-8-foot sheet of 3/4-inch plywood; four 6-inch hairpin legs; 1-1/4-inch pocket-hole screws; 3/4-inch wood screws; wood glue; wood stain; and polyurethane.
  • Tools: table saw, random orbital sander, pocket-hole jig, drill and pocket-hole bit, clamps, 6-inch hole saw and bit, 220-grit sanding block, and finish nailer. A jigsaw can replace the hole saw for cutting the entrance.

Build the plywood cat house

  1. Cut and prepare the panels. Cut the six pieces to the list above, then sand them. Drill pocket holes in the side panels as directed by the pocket-hole jig or joinery plan, taking care to orient the holes toward the interior of the finished box.
  2. Join the sides to the bottom. Apply wood glue where the side panels meet the bottom panel. Clamp the pieces in position and fasten them with 1-1/4-inch pocket-hole screws, keeping the pocket holes on the inside.
  3. Attach the top. Apply glue along the top edges of the box, position the top panel, and secure it with pocket-hole screws.
  4. Cut the entrance. Mark a centered 6-inch circle on the front panel. Cut it with a 6-inch hole saw, or use a jigsaw to follow the marked circle. Smooth the cut edge with 220-grit paper so there are no rough edges around the opening.
  5. Fit the front. Glue the front panel to the box and secure it through the pocket holes.
  6. Close the back. Apply glue to the exposed edges of the box, place the back panel, and fasten it with a finish nailer.
  7. Finish and add legs. Apply stain and let it dry. Protect the stained surface with two coats of polyurethane, allowing the finish to dry as directed on its product label. Screw the four hairpin legs to the bottom using the specified 3/4-inch wood screws.
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Cost, time, and design alternatives

Daily Paws reported that designer Brittany Goldwyn Merth spent about $40 on the project and estimated about four hours of working time spread across a few evenings and a weekend. Both figures describe her 2022 build. They are not current materials quotes or a guaranteed schedule: plywood, hardware, and finish costs vary by location, and cutting, fitting, and drying time depend on your setup and products.

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American Cat Club Cat House with Scratcher & Catnip Included - Coffee House
  • Cardboard cat house 2 in 1 with scratching board interior. Private place for your cat to rest and play
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  • Keep cats entertained and off of furniture. Easy to assemble all instructions and parts included
  • When not in use, the cat house can be collapsed into a flat, compact size for out-of-the-way storage

If you want an open climbing or scratching structure instead of an enclosed table, Kreg publishes a separate mid-century-inspired cat-tree plan. It uses plywood, dimensional lumber, rope, slatted boards, and pocket-hole joinery; it is a different design, not an alternate cut list for this house. Compare the plans by footprint and height, enclosed hiding space versus platforms, required materials and tools, and whether you want a usable tabletop.

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2-Tier Felt Cat House Thickened Felt Cat Cave House with Hanging Toy Ball, Enclosed Sleeping Nest for Cats, Indoor Pet Rest & Play Hut (Brown)
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Sources

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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