15 DIY Cat Litter Box Ideas You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

With all the other supplies that you have to buy when you welcome a new cat into your family, a new litter box can make a sizable dent in both your wallet and the space that you have available in your home. If you're short on funds or simply don't have much room, there are plenty of simple and snazzy ways to create a DIY litter box without spending a small fortune.

We put together this list of DIY cat litter box plans so you can save space or hide unsightly litter trays from your guests. Whether you're looking for simple litter boxes, hidden litter boxes, or sifting litter boxes, you're bound to find a DIY solution that suits your needs.

The 5 Simple DIY Litter Boxes

1. Sterilite Litter Box by Meowtain Climbers

Cats can make a huge mess, and some of them always kick litter out of even the tallest litter boxes or somehow manage to do their business outside the box. This design uses 26-gallon Sterilite boxes to create an enclosed litter box with high enough sides that your cat will find it harder to make a mess.

2. Litter Box Holder by Repurposeful Boutique

Walking barefoot anywhere near your cat's litter tray is a recipe for disaster, especially if you use crystal litter. Those tiny crystals can hurt when you step on them. This litter box holder might not look like much, but it gives your cat space for the litter to fall off their feet before they hop onto your carpet, saving your toes from sharp surprises.

3. Upside-Down Tote by Hometalk

This design is a similar idea to a DIY top-entry litter box. If you have a big enough tote already but lost the lid for it, this is a snazzy way to hide the litter tray. It doesn't require much work either. Just cut a cat-sized hole in the side and flip the whole thing upside down over the litter tray.

4. Pallet Litter Box With Scoop by 99pallets

Wood pallet designs are really popular right now, so, of course, we have to throw in a wood pallet litter box. Really, this litter box is confined within a wooden crate. Ideally, this will work with a smaller cat (specifically a kitten).

5. Enclosed Litter Box by Jaymie and Josh

Yet another way to create your own litter box for cheap is by following this simple video tutorial. This is basically an easy way to save money. Instead of buying an enclosed litter box, take a large plastic tote you already have, cut a few holes, and fill it with litter. It’s really that easy!

The 9 Hidden DIY Litter Boxes

6. Plant Pot by Hometalk

Litter trays are an eyesore and don't often match your home décor. If you can't afford the fancy litter boxes styled after furniture, you can make a DIY enclosed tray disguised as a fake plant. It'll help keep your décor looking interesting and give your kitty somewhere private to do their business. Plus, if you decide that the litter idea doesn't work, you can use the same design as a snazzy cat bed instead.

7. Revamped Toy Box by Alewood Furniture Co.

Buying litter boxes that look like furniture can be a brutal blow to your wallet, especially if you want something that matches your existing décor. While the choices with litter boxes are limited, this repurposed toy box is a great way to breathe new life into old, unused furniture or repurpose a cheap cabinet that you found in a yard sale.

8. De-littering Catwalk by Instructables

With a built-in catwalk to dislodge those pesky pieces of litter stuck to your cat's paws, this design is a cabinet you can build from scratch. It takes more work than revamping an old cupboard, but if you fancy a challenge for your carpentry skills, you can customize this design to fit your space restrictions and the size of your litter tray. Better still, the litter box is completely hidden, giving your cat privacy and keeping unsightly trays out of the way.

9. Deck Box Litter Box by Instructables

Many DIY ideas use plastic totes to hide litter trays, but deck boxes work just as well, and they even offer your cat more space. This idea requires a bit of craftsmanship to build a sturdy slope covered with sisal rope for your cat to scratch. It's a great way to keep litter off your floor and repurpose an old deck box that you don't use anymore.

10. IKEA Litter Box Basket by All the Little Details

Who says litter boxes need to look ugly? This litter box hack takes an IKEA wicker basket and transforms it into a stylish pooping box. You only need a pencil, scissors, and a hot glue gun. The nice thing about wicker is that it breathes, so the inside won’t feel so stuffy for your cat. This particular wicker basket has a lid, so cleaning the box will be a breeze. While the basket technically isn’t free, you can use any similar basket you have lying around to make it.

11. Patterned DIY Litter Box Cover by Sugar and Cloth

If you have a litter Robot, this litter box cover is for you. This litter box cover requires a few more materials than cardboard, but judging by the final product, it’s totally worth it.

12. Wardrobe Cat Enclosure by Housetweaking

Your cat is taking a poop, not visiting Narnia, so don’t think this wardrobe cat enclosure needs to be fancy. All of the foundation work is done for you. You just have to cut a hole and install a cat door (if you want).

With this design, we recommend being careful with placing the cat box on the bottom shelf. Ensure the top shelves are secure and nothing too heavy is weighing them down.

13. Old Cabinet Litter Box Makeover by Recaptured Charm

It’s pretty easy to find an old cabinet nobody wants. Garage sales, curbsides, and Goodwill are in abundance of abandoned old cabinets. Why not turn one into a lavish cat lavatory?

This litter box makeover requires a bit of craftsmanship, but you don’t have to be a woodworker to complete the job. In fact, you could skip a few steps and finish early if you wanted.

14. Side Table With Curtains Enclosure by Dimples and Tangles

This design is genius because of how simple it really is. Take a side table, add some curtains, and voila! A cat enclosure is made. The best part? It can be easily moved. No heavy furniture to worry about here.

The Sifting DIY Litter Box

15. Aluminum Tray Litter Box by 2brokebruces

Cleaning out the litter tray is the worst thing about owning a cat. You can buy sifting litter boxes but they're not always as effective as we want them to be, which is where this design comes in. Using aluminum trays and a sturdy plastic enclosure, you can make a DIY sifting litter box for your cat and keep it away from inquisitive canine noses.

Conclusion

Making a DIY litter box is a cheap and easy way to cater to your cat's needs, keep things tidy, and match the rest of your décor. You can use anything from aluminum trays and plastic totes to old furniture to make a litter box or an enclosure to hide it in. Hopefully, these designs gave you a few ideas for your cat's bathroom!

Related Reads:

• DIY Cat Diaper Plans You Can Make Today (with Pictures)

• How to Hide a Litter Box: 20 Clever Ways (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Litter Robot, Unsplash