Last updated: October 11, 2026
The short answer: A good diy cat litter box enclosure hides the box without making your cat feel trapped. Build it around a large, open box with at least a few inches of headroom and space on every side, cut an entry big enough for your cat to walk through without crouching, add ventilation, and make the top or front open fully so you can scoop every day. The easiest build is an old cabinet or sideboard with a side entry and a removable back panel.
This guide is research based. It draws on the ASPCA’s litter box guidance and on manufacturer details for ready-made enclosures. We have not built or used these enclosures at home.
Why Enclosures Go Wrong
An enclosure is basically a cover, and the ASPCA notes that most cats dislike covered boxes, along with boxes in cornered spots without an escape route. A dark, tight cabinet can also trap smell close to your cat’s nose. The goal is to hide the box from people, not to box in the cat.
Design Rules That Keep Cats Happy
- Room inside. Your cat should be able to stand, turn and squat without touching the walls or ceiling.
- A big, open box inside. Do not shrink the box to fit the furniture. Choose the furniture to fit the box.
- A wide entry. Large enough to walk through without crouching. Rounded, sanded edges.
- Airflow. Vents, a mesh panel or gaps at the back. Odor needs somewhere to go.
- Easy access for you. A lift-up top, a full-width door or a slide-out shelf. If it is a hassle to scoop, you will scoop less.
- Waterproof inside. Seal wood with a pet-safe waterproof finish or line the base with a washable tray.
- Light. A little natural light or a gap near the entry helps nervous cats.
A Simple Cabinet Build
- Pick the furniture. A low cabinet, sideboard or bench with an open interior. Measure your litter box first and add space on all sides.
- Remove shelves inside the section that will hold the box.
- Cut the entry in the side, not the front door, so the door can open fully for cleaning. Sand and seal the edges.
- Add ventilation with a few drilled holes or a vent cover at the back, away from the entry.
- Seal the interior or add a waterproof liner tray under the box.
- Add a mat just outside the entry. A litter mat for cats catches the grains your cat carries out.
- Introduce it slowly. Leave the door open and the box visible for the first days, then close the door once your cat uses it reliably.
Ideas Beyond the Cabinet
- Bench seat: a storage bench with a side hole makes good cat litter furniture in an entryway.
- Closet corner: remove the closet door, add a curtain and a vent.
- Cat tree combo: a cat tower with litter box space in the base works if the base is large and ventilated and the box is easy to pull out.
- Planter style: some commercial designs hide the box in a fake planter. Check the inside space before buying.
Ready-Made Options
Merry Products Cat Washroom Bench
Who it suits: Owners who want a large litter box enclosure that also works as a bench.
- A furniture-style washroom sold to fit extra-large litter boxes, according to the listing.
- Doubles as seating or a side table.
- A well-known maker of pet furniture.
Watch out for: Check interior height and entry size against your cat and box. Wood-based furniture needs sealing or a liner against urine.
Our verdict: A tidy alternative to building your own for most living rooms. Check current price.
Prime Merry Products Cat Washroom Bench, Large, White
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New Age Pet ecoFLEX Litter Loo
Who it suits: Owners who worry about moisture damage to wood furniture.
- Made from a composite that the maker describes as moisture and odor resistant.
- A flip-down front door for cleaning access, per the listing.
- Sized for standard and high-sided pans, depending on the model.
Watch out for: Confirm your box fits before buying. Some cats need time to accept any enclosed space.
Our verdict: A practical choice for hidden cat litter box furniture in damp areas like laundry rooms. Check current price.
Prime New Age Pet® ECOFLEX® Litter Loo® Enclosure, Standard, Antique White
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Keeping an Enclosure Fresh
- Scoop every day, since enclosed spaces hold smell.
- Use an unscented, firm-clumping litter. Our guide to the best clumping cat litter for odor control compares options.
- Wipe the inside walls when you do a full litter change.
- Keep vents clear.
Quick Answers
Is a cat litter box cover the same as an enclosure?
A cover sits on the box itself. An enclosure surrounds the whole box with furniture. Both reduce airflow, so ventilation matters for either.
What if my cat will not go in?
Open the door fully or remove it for a while, put the old open box next to it, and reintroduce it gradually. Some cats simply prefer an open box.
Can kitty litter box furniture hold an automatic box?
Only if there is generous clearance for the moving parts and the maker allows it. Check the robot’s manual first.
Is a plain cat litter enclosure better than a covered box?
A roomy, ventilated enclosure with an open box inside is usually more comfortable than a small hooded box.
The Bottom Line
A diy cat litter box enclosure works when it is roomy, ventilated, easy to clean and introduced slowly. Hide the box from guests, not from your cat. For more ideas, see our litter box setup ideas.
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