The most effective issues about Catification is that it may be completely custom-made to suit any type. You may give your cats the indoor enrichment they want with out worrying about how your private home appears to be like. In truth, with somewhat creativity, you can also make one thing that’s completely distinctive and certain to be a dialog piece when company go to.
Go for industrial stylish with pipe décor
For this undertaking, we used pipe décor, a method of residence décor that includes black iron pipes and fittings, giving it an industrial-chic look. Pipe décor is mostly used to make furnishings like tables, cabinets, lamps and extra, however right here we’re repurposing it to create a singular cat climbing wall.
The pipes and fittings are all interchangeable, permitting you to construct nearly something you’ll be able to think about, type of like an Erector Set. Iron pipe is offered in numerous lengths, starting from 1 inch to 72 inches lengthy, and ½ inch, ¾ inch and 1 inch diameter. We used ½ inch diameter pipe and fittings for this undertaking.
You may select from a lot of totally different fittings, relying on the way you need to join the pipes. Elbows, tees, four-way, five-way and six-way connectors are all accessible, and flanges are used to attach pipes to partitions or different surfaces, like cabinets. When correctly assembled, pipe décor could be very sturdy and enticing — good for Catification.
Pipes and connectors can be found at residence enchancment shops within the plumbing part, however for a undertaking like this you’ll most likely need to look on-line for components which are made for residence décor. The plumbing {hardware} is often far more costly, and it has writing stamped on the facet. Components made particularly for residence décor are inexpensive and able to use, though they could require somewhat cleansing to take away any grease that’s left over from the manufacturing course of. In the event that they aren’t already, it’s a good suggestion to seal pipes and fittings to forestall rusting. Comply with the producer’s instructions for cleansing and sealing.
Design the climbing wall
That is the half the place you may get actually inventive and design one thing that’s good to your residence and your cats. The pipes and fittings can help you construct particular person cabinets or extra elaborate frames that join a number of cabinets. Be sure to create a pathway that’s simple for cats to navigate, maintaining the space between cabinets round 10 to 12 inches and attempting to keep away from creating any lifeless ends. On this design, cats can go up or down on both facet.
For this design, I used a number of single cabinets and a few linked shelf units for selection and visible enchantment. I additionally added a wall-mounted scratcher, a hammock below one of many decrease cabinets and a delegated spot on the ground for 2 automated feeders.
For this undertaking, we used the next ½ inch diameter components:
- 1 1/2-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch and 12-inch pipes
- 90-degree elbow connectors
- Tee connectors
- Flanges
Be cautious when buying pipe and pipe fittings from totally different producers. In idea, they need to all match collectively if they’re all the identical diameter (½ inch, ¾ inch or 1 inch), however I’ve discovered that some items usually are not suitable with others. Be sure to can return the items in the event that they don’t all work collectively.
TIP: Use blue painters’ tape to mark the dimensions and placement of cabinets on the wall, serving to you visualize the design.