DIY toy guide
Wooden Wine-Box Cat Cave
A wooden wine crate turned on its side into a snug, sturdy den
A solid wooden wine box, laid on its side and softened with a cushion, makes a handsome, hard-wearing cat cave that looks like furniture and lasts far longer than a cardboard box.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 30 min
- Cost
- £0–£10
🧺 You will need
- A clean wooden wine crate (ideally with one open side)
- Sandpaper for smoothing rough edges
- A small cushion, folded blanket or offcut of foam to fit the base
- Optional: four stick-on furniture feet
- Optional: non-toxic wood oil or beeswax to finish the wood
🔧 How to make it
- Empty the crate and sand every edge and inner surface smooth, paying attention to splinters and rough corners.
- Wipe it clean and, if you like, rub in a little non-toxic wood oil or beeswax and let it dry fully.
- Stick furniture feet to what is now the base if you want it lifted off a cold floor.
- Lay the crate on its side so the open face becomes the doorway.
- Drop in a cushion, folded blanket or cut-to-fit foam pad for a soft floor.
- Set it in a quiet, draught-free corner and let your cat discover it — a pinch of catnip on the cushion helps.
💡 Tips
Stand a second crate on top, doorways offset, for a two-storey den, or add a carpet square on the roof so it doubles as a perch. A crate by a radiator or sunny window becomes a favourite warm nap spot.
Safety: Sand away every splinter and check for and remove any staples, nails or wire from the crate. Only use crates finished with non-toxic, pet-safe oil or wax, and make sure any stacked boxes are fixed together so they cannot topple onto your cat.
📝 Notes
Cats crave enclosed, defensible dens to feel secure, and a wooden crate gives them one that survives years of use and blends into a living room far better than a cardboard box. Reusing a discarded crate keeps solid timber out of landfill, too.