How to Make a Cat Window Seat

Cats, just like humans, need a change of scenery to keep active and healthy. Installing a cat window seat under a sunny window with a view of the world will help to keep your pet happy and engaged. Making a cat window seat requires very little carpentry skills and few materials. Often, you can recycle an old shelf and piece of carpeting or fabric to make the window seat.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure or ruler
  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Plywood shelfing material, 2 inches thick, 10 to 12 inches deep (length depends on windowsill)
  • Saw
  • Fine-grade sandpaper
  • Shelf brackets, 2 plus screws
  • Electric screwdriver
  • Fabric or carpet remnants
  • Scissors or craft knife
  • Staple gun or hot glue gun
  • Long screws
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the width of the window just below the window trim where the cat window seat will be installed. Measure from the edge of the window trim on the left of the to the end of the window trim on the right. Use either a measuring tape or a ruler and make note of this measurement.

    • 2

      Measure and mark the piece of plywood shelf material so that it is as wide as the window.

    • 3

      Cut the wood shelf to size with a saw. Sand the cut edge with a piece of fine-grade sandpaper.

    • 4

      Install the shelf brackets approximately 3 inches below the window trim. Place each bracket at the ends of the window, so that they line up with the trim on the sides of the window where you took your measurements. Screw the brackets in place using 4-inch wood screws.

    • 5

      Lay the fabric or carpet remnant on a flat surface, wrong side up. Place the wood shelf on the fabric.Wrap the fabric around the shelf so that all sides are covered. Cut any excess away with a pair of sharp scissors or a craft knife. Staple or hot glue the fabric, pulling the fabric tightly and evenly as you go.

    • 6

      Place the shelf on the shelf brackets. Use 5-inch wood screws and an electric screwdriver to screw the cat window seat to the shelf brackets, so that the window seat is stable when the cat jumps on or off it.