Last Updated: 1 week ago
Are you wondering where to put cat tree furniture inside your home?
It’s one of the more common questions, along with how to get cat to use cat tree?
After lots of experimentation with my own kitty and talking to cat behavior experts, I’ve discovered the best locations for traditional trees and indoor cat trees that look like trees.
I wanted to share what I learned so you, too, can make a new tree your cat’s favorite resting spot!
Best Places To Put A Cat Tree
There is no one specific spot that works for all cats as the best place to put a cat tree.
Selecting a perfect spot for cat trees can be rather complicated. After all, our kitties tend to be picky about where they spend their time! Mine certainly is!
But there’s no need to worry, you will get it right with some experimentation like me. I’ll take you through all the best spots to place your feline’s new cat tree.
1. Your Cat’s Favorite Spot
Every cat has a favorite spot where it spends most of its time. Cat owners should use their love of this spot to their advantage.
So if possible, place a cat tree right where your cat spends all their time. For example, my cat adores sitting in a chair beside the living room window.
So I thought it was a great idea to replace the chair with a multi-level cat tree cat condo. Since I put it there, the cat tree’s scratching posts have become his favorite thing in the world.
Placing cat furniture in their favorite spot can also help shy kitties. At first, these felines might not find these towers appealing.
But placing them in their favorite locations can make your shy cat more confident and willing. It can encourage them to explore what larger cat trees are all about.
2. Spacious Bedrooms
Bedrooms are a logical choice to place your cat’s new tree or tower.
It makes a ton of sense since we spend a significant portion of our time in these rooms. My cat loves to come into the bedroom when I’m there.
But I do recommend making sure the bedroom isn’t overly crowded. For example, you don’t want a larger tree to fall onto your bed while sleeping.
Instead, the bedroom should be a little more spacious if you want to try this location. It shouldn’t feel like you’re hitting your toe on this piece of furniture every time you get out of bed.
Location inside the bedroom is also a key thing to consider. Corner areas often are the best spot for cat trees within any bedroom.
It’ll provide your cat with privacy and space to play on these trees without an issue. Plus, this location will also increase the chances of your cat spending the night in your room.
3. Bathrooms with Windows
Certain bathrooms, with enough space, can be perfect areas for any type of cat tree. However, I recommend using ones with windows that offer a view from an elevated location.
After all, cats are known for their love of a great view. It’s best to avoid windowless areas when selecting the perfect cat tree spot.
I’d also encourage this location for owners who put the litter box in their bathrooms. It creates a private area for your cat to play and do their litter box business.
As a result, you’re offering them their own special room. The bathroom will act like your cat’s little apartment inside their forever home.
4. Dining Rooms
Dining rooms can be a desirable location for cat trees. These areas often have various corners and windows to place them.
More importantly, a cat won’t feel left out of all the action inside your home. Your cat will still be able to keep an eye on everything, allowing them to feel comfortable.
I love the dining room location for its safety level, as well. These rooms provide several walls to lay the cat tree and scratching posts against.
It is always a good idea to use a wall to support the tree as a safety precaution to prevent tipping or other issues.
5. Living Rooms
Living rooms represent another perfect option for a social cat. It’ll give them plenty of access to the happenings inside your home.
But this location isn’t only beneficial to your cat. Pet owners often choose living room cat trees because it lets them keep an eye on their felines.
It also allows you to enjoy spending time with your kitty, as you will often spend time in this room. I’d suggest anyone with a kitten consider a cat tree or scratching post in living room areas.
It’ll help prevent accidents or a wobbly cat tree from falling on them since it is easier for you to watch them and secure it.
I also find it quite fun to watch cats play on these trees; I’m sure you do too. It’s why I always like having many cat trees around my house.
It’s a perfect example of a cat tree’s positive impact on a feline. Look at how much fun they’re having with this tree with lots of scratching posts.
6. Near Any Windows
A more general placement idea for where to put cat tree towers is near any windows. It’ll allow your cat to see everything inside and outside, which they’ll love.
In fact, placing a cat tree near windows is like providing them with their TV and nurtures their natural instincts. It offers them endless entertainment, especially during daylight hours.
Cats also love sitting in the sunlight that passes through a window. My cat will even sit on my living room’s hard tile floor if it’s in direct sunlight.
If the cat tree has a removable bed, it can help make an extra cozy warm spot. You throw it wherever the sun hits, and your cat will love it.
Another positive benefit of window cat trees is providing mental stimulation. Nothing gets a cat’s brain working more than seeing a bird flying outside.
Birdwatching taps into their “strong hunting instincts.” It makes cats feel like they’re still part of what’s happening outside.
So if you can, place a cat tree near a window whenever possible. It’s a simple way to ensure your kitty enjoys their time using it.
7. Where You Spend the Most Time
Most cats enjoy spending significant time with their owners. As a result, placing a cat tree where you spend the most time would be a practical option.
Let’s say you spend countless hours working in your home office. It would be wise to place a cat tree in one of the room’s corners.
It will also stop your cat from scratching at the door or jumping on your lap. Trust me; there’s nothing worse than trying to write an article when your cat decides it’s time for a cuddle.
My cat had a habit of jumping on my lap whenever I was about to start editing. It would take me about 20 minutes to get him to stop. Not that I didn’t love his cuddles, it made getting work done hard.
However, placing a cat tree in my home office has stopped this behavior. We can now share the same space without affecting my work, which is a win for both of us.
He spends this time climbing the levels and using its scratching surface. It’s a perfect situation for everyone involved.
Where You Should Not Keep A Cat Tree?
Some areas inside your home should never have a cat tree. It could be for safety or practical reasons, but these few locations are awful ideas.
1. Loud Laundry Rooms
At first glance, laundry rooms may seem like a suitable location. These areas are away from heavy foot traffic and offer excellent privacy.
But cats will avoid them entirely for a simple reason. Your washer and dryer are loud within this crowded space.
Loud noises are a common nemesis for our favorite felines. Sudden loud noises can cause them to “pace, vocalize, linger near your feet, hide, tremble, destroy property, and even harm themselves [4].”
Most cats aren’t going to enjoy spending much time in those conditions. Plus, laundry rooms usually don’t have an elevated perch, such as a window sill, that felines love.
In the end, it doesn’t make sense to put a cat tree or cat tree condo within those areas.
2. Garages
Garages represent many of the issues offered by laundry rooms. But they also provide access to the outdoors, which can be a dicey situation.
For instance, owners can forget their cats are in the garage and open the outdoor door. Your feline may take the chance and adventure outdoors where they don’t belong.
The temperature inside garages is another reason why they’re a lousy location. Cats will actively avoid them during the winter due to the cold draft.
Moreover, most garages are crowded with boxes and dangerous items. It’s best to restrict access for your cats as a safety precaution.
3. Walk-In Closets or Small Rooms
Walk-in closets and small rooms don’t provide anything useful for a cat. These areas are shut off from everything in the house and often lack windows.
Your cat will likely avoid a tower or tree placed in these areas. Honestly, they won’t even notice the tree exists.
These rooms could represent a solid place to move a worn-down old tree.
4. Unused Rooms
If there’s a guest room nobody uses, don’t assume it’s a good spot for a cat tree. Your feline won’t adventure into those areas because no person or animal uses them.
I could see an argument for them being a good location if you have a shy cat. But you’d have to make the room only for that shy cat for it to work.
It won’t be worth the hassle of keeping people and animals out of there. You’d be better off placing the tree in their favorite spot or other suitable location.
FAQs
DOES A CAT TREE NEED TO BE BY A WINDOW?
A cat tree doesn’t need to be by a window, but it does make the location more appealing. It’ll give them an easy way to see what’s happening outside. After all, cats love to spend their time birdwatching and sightseeing.
CAN I PUT A CAT TREE OUTSIDE?
You can put a cat tree outside if there’s a screened-in patio or porch. I wouldn’t trust a cat tree to hold up long against the elements. So I recommend bringing them inside when worrisome weather pops up in the forecast.
Conclusion
A simple answer to where to put cat tree is a location where your cat feels comfortable and entertained. It could be a bedroom, living room, dining room, or near a window.
But the key is finding a safe area where your cat loves to spend time. Otherwise, the cat tree will quickly become a waste of your time and money.
Does your cat have a favorite tree location? Let me know in the comments.
Ben is an animal lover, blogger, and all around geek. He divides his love equally between his family, his animals, and his video games. In his spare time he is attempting to get a blog off the ground. Boy, are they heavy!