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We, me and my baby cat, are living in a really small apartment.
I have planned to get a cat tree a long time ago and I have finally done it!
The picture on the left is what I got my baby – right next to a window for her to enjoy the view.
So here is my experience and research on how to find the best cat tree for a small apartment.
What Kind Of Cat Tree For Small Apartment Should I Get?
This was the first question on my mind since I needed a cat tree that would fit the small space I lived in.
I already had almost all corners taken up by furniture so I really needed something that would save the space but still be satisfying for my cat.
Whoever owns a small apartment knows that the first rule for saving space is: to go vertical. So this rule should be the first one to apply to a cat tree: make it tall and skinny.
Another thing to be careful about is the cat tree stability. Since it will go vertical you need to have a strong basis to support the vertical structure.
I made the mistake of overlooking the stability so I put a heavy door stopper on the basis – in fear of the tree falling. I had it custom made and it was an order from a different city so I could not try it before buying.
However, stability should not be a problem with a professionally made cat tree. This was a mistake of mine. I didn’t know if my cat would like the cat tree and this cat tree was way cheaper than the commercial ones.
I would also suggest you pick a cat tree that is white or light-colored – one of the rules for small apartments is that bright colors enhance the space.
Overall I am satisfied with my cat tree, but the structure is wobbly so I had to put it next to a wall. If I had to buy it again however I think that I would go with the more expensive, commercial ones. At least they are designed by engineers to be stable.
So after my happy-unhappy purchase, I went on a search for a good cat tree for small apartments and I found some really great ones that I gathered below so check them out.
A quick update: she loves the cat tree so much and she uses it every single day.
Best Space Saving Cat Tree For Small Spaces
(Small Footprint Cat Tree)
Unique Cat Tower For Small Spaces
If you want to give your cat a tower in your apartment then this is a good choice as it:
- Leaves lots of open space so it gives you a feeling of more space
- If you place it by a window the view is still open
- The design is nonobstructive, quite unique, simple but yet aesthetically pleasing
- The color is neutral and light which is recommended for small spaces and it will easily blend in white-beige colored furniture
- Attractive and modern design
- Well-made and nice quality
- Easy to assemble
- Scratch mats help keep cats from scratching furniture
- Comes in natural wood color
- Easy to clean
- Takes up little space
- Affordable price
- Comes packaged neatly
- Can be placed in a corner for extra stability
- Many spots for cats to lay and scratch on
- No carpet on it, which some may prefer
- May be a little wobbly, but not enough to tip over
- Pads don’t reach the edges, so cats may slip off when jumping up – but they are cats, they will learn to manage with time!
- May not be suitable for very large cats
Tall Cat Tree For Small Spaces
The design of this cat tree allows you to put it in a corner which is ideal for small spaces.
This tree tends to be a little wobbly but there is a solution very similar to mine: I have put a heavy door stopper on the tree base while users of this tree have solved it by putting weights (you can use hand weights which are easy to find) on the tree base.
Check what this customer has to say about the tree fitting great in an apartment and the worth of the whole package: the tree – price combination.
A very strong point of the tree is the neutral, light color that matches virtually every home, and especially small homes (bright colors make a small space seem uncluttered and more spacious).
The tree is covered in soft, plushy material that is faux fur which feels great on the touch and is very comfortable (my tree has the same material and my cat loves sleeping on the top every afternoon there).
The cat condo will allow your cat a private area to curl up for a nap, cats love safe and hidden places like this covered box.
The tree has scratching posts that are very tightly knit with scratching rope and hard to destroy, so the tree will keep its fresh look for a long time.
You can place the tree next to a wall for increased stability and in a corner, which I think makes this tree a great option for small apartment dwellers.
Do check this image and video how it fits perfectly in a small space, making very practical use of it, and giving your cat lots of joy and various platforms to play and nap. And yes, those hanging toys from the video are included too 🙂
Perfect Cat Tree For Small Spaces
This cute, small tower for cats is so suitable for small apartments, both for the size and the looks. Take a quick look at what this cat owner who lives in a small space said about it. Because it has neutral colors and is very aesthetically pleasing, it almost looks like home decor, so you can even put it in the living room. Another great point is that it takes up minimal floor space.
You can see that, despite being small, it has versatile items that your cat can enjoy:
- a cat scratcher made of sisal rope – that will protect your furniture at the same time and holds up well to constant use
- a perch on top that your cat can use to nap or watch outside the window (if placed next to a window which I recommend if possible)
- plush sleeping pad on top that is well-made, comfortable and washable
- enclosed space at the bottom for hiding or peacefully napping, that will increase the sense of security in your cat
The structure itself is very sturdy due to the weighted base and this is an important point for a cat tree not to tip over and scare the cat or crush something in the home.
This mini cat tower is highly recommended for small and medium-size cats. Some reviewers found that the cat tower is too small for their larger cats, while others are happy with it, so I guess it is mixed and depends really on the cat.
The cat tower is easy to assemble, multiple reviews mention that the cat condo was easy to put together and took little time, usually taking only a few minutes.
A negative point is that, in a few cases, the cat has destroyed all areas of the tree – but that is not the general experience, and it may not be suitable for bigger cats or those who prefer larger sleeping areas. Additionally, some customers found it expensive but still worth it for its quality and durability.
Overall, the cat tower is highly recommended by most reviewers, especially for small and medium-sized cats in small apartments or spaces. This cat tree has everything that an owner of a small apartment and a cat really needs: space-saving abilities and lots of kitty space for napping and having fun 🙂
Compact Cat Tree
I’ve been searching probably for hours until I came to a stop to this beautiful cat tree. It is perfect for a small apartment cat owner! It even has a hanging ball for play and I love the cute paw detail on the base 🙂
So what you see here is a multifunctional cat tree / cat condo / scratch post combination that is very cleverly put together. Here are the things that I think are done best with this cat tree:
- The top bed is big enough to suit any cat, this was definitely one of my main concerns when choosing a cat tree
- It is very stable, here is the proof
- The height is good enough to give the cat a view through the window but not distract the owner’s view
- Very easy to assemble
The whole cat tree is covered in soft plush and the colors are perfect – neutral and appropriate for a small space.
As dimensions are very important here they are: 15.75 inches L x 15.75 inches D x 23.23 inches H
Overall it’s a lovely little cat tree that will fit a small apartment perfectly well.
Cat Tree With Small Footprint
This cute little cat tree has everything a cat tree should have: scratching posts and this is a must-have when you have a cat at home, playing ball and a cozy hammock on the top. And on top of it, it doesn’t take much space. It is really on the small side cat tree but still packed with all the necessities.
I love that it is in a neutral beige color, this is the perfect color for small apartments.
The top hammock is made of rich plush material so your cat can dive into this softness with pleasure. It also has a metal rim added for stability so it can hold even large cats.
The scratching posts are made of natural sisal – this is guaranteed that your cat will love it.
One really good looking and practical cat tree that will fit great in small spaces. You can see how it leaves the space open – simply perfect for small spaces.
There is an alternative to this small cat tree which involves a cat condo at the bottom, so for the same space you get an additional cat condo, you can check that version here.
Tall Cat Window Tree (Small Footprint Cat Tree)
This is a simple cat tree that will be absolutely perfect for a small space. I love that it is tied to a window – a cat’s favorite spot in the home.
I have checked some window perches for cats and on one ( a very popular one btw) I have found a warning to make sure that the window can support the additional weight! Now that is a scary prospect if you ask me.
With this tall cat tree glued to a window, the possibility of something going wrong with the window is zero – the majority of the weight of the cat and the top shelf is supported by the pole.
Oh and check the how small the base of this cat tree is – only 16 inches by 12 inches, one of the smallest bases I have seen.
It leaves a lot of free and open space which is exactly what a small apartment needs. It doesn’t clutter the space and leaves the view open and still has everything your cat will enjoy – a scratching post and a spacious place to sleep so I would definitely recommend this simple cat tree for a small space.
Space Saving Cat Tree – Minimalistic Cat Tree With Scratching Post And Cat Bed
This small cat tree is dark-colored but it has such good quality that I had to include it here.
The best thing about this little cat tree is the very spacious top, so if you have a big cat you should consider getting this tree. The top cat bed is one of the biggest that I have seen and it really fits even the biggest cat breeds like Maine coon or a big ragdoll cat. People are saying that even for these big cat breeds there is still spare room left!
I have picked this review for you to check the image and see for yourself just how much space there is for your cat to enjoy. It is really impressive!
As this is a very simple cat tree it takes very little effort to assemble so if you are one of those people that are shy of working with hands (like me) this is a very good option.
Easy maintenance: the top bed is detachable and can be cold washed – I think this is important to notice, cats really love clean spots to nap in.
Use Your Walls To Create A Cat Tree For Small Apartment
Cat Furniture For Small Apartments (Wall Cat Tree On A Budget)
Cat Perches For Small Spaces
Wall Mounted Cat Tree
This product I find particularly suitable for small apartments (my obsessions as I live in one) as it will save so much space and provide everything a cat needs.
Here is what you get included in this wall cat garden:
- The design is so carefully created that the shelves look as if floating. The mounting system is specially invented by this company and awaits patent. Basically, this means the mounting hardware is hidden which enables a sleek look.
- The structure is made of bamboo which is one of the best building materials in the world. First of all, it is natural which means it is very durable and strong. It is also water-resistant so if you wish you could install this wall cat gym outdoors!
- Easy maintenance – the cloth between the shelves can be removed and washed and the shelves can be just wiped out for dust.
- Modular design – you can arrange the elements, as they are separately mounted, according to your wish and taste to best match your home.
- All in one structure – it simply has everything for your cat: a wall-mounted cat tree, height – which all cats love, resting hammock, shelves to jump on and also very important a cat gym to exercise.
Tall Skinny Cat Tree
The most important thing probably is the fact that this floor to ceiling cat tree fits ceilings up to 9 feet tall. The description states that for the assembly no tool is required. This is good to know – especially if you are a female trying to assess if you can assemble it yourself.
The surface of this tree is carpeted, which is awesome if you like being surrounded by smooth and soft things like I do.
This will give your cat so much joy and a great time. Cats love trees and climbing on them and this cat structure will serve as an indoor tree. For indoor cats only this will be pure heaven to jump up and down on it.
The most important thing is that it really requires minimum space so this feature makes it a perfect choice for a cat tree in small space.
Floor To Ceiling Cat Tree Tower
- between the couch and the window
- between a mirror on the wall and a door
- between a working table and a wardrobe
Measurements are extremely important: this cat tower is 26 inches wide. There is a good image with measurements on the Amazon site so if you are interested go check them.
Together with this cat tower you will receive instructions on how to install it so just follow them and there should be no problems.
The tower has 4 adjustable cat shelves and a hammock on the top. The cat shelves are not very wide so are not very suitable for sleeping but customers said the top hammock fits perfectly even a large cat.
The construction is very stable and sturdy if you tighten everything right. It will offer great height adventure for your cat – something cats absolutely love. The top hammock will give your cat a perfect spot for watching or sleeping.
Overall this cat tower does not take too much space and imitates high tree branches in nature so it will make your cat feel more “at home” in your home :).
No Room For A Cat Tree? – Get A Window Cat Hammock
So this is like a cat tree without the base and your cat will absolutely love it. It has the perfect position for watching the outside world – and in a small apartment this is very important. You will be adding a new way of entertaining your cat – one that never gets old.
