7 DIY Cat Caves That Make Store-Bought Beds Look Boring

Cats are picky. You could buy the fanciest bed in the store, and they’d still curl up in a cardboard box instead. That’s why making a DIY cat cave is such a win—it’s cheap, fun, and way more appealing to your furry boss.

In this post, I’ll show you 7 DIY cat caves that don’t just save money, they’ll also make every store-bought option look dull. Your cat gets a cozy hideout, and you get bragging rights.

7 DIY Cat Caves Ideas

1. Crochet cocoon cave

This is a soft yarn cave with a front opening. It’s cozy and easy to wash.

Materials

• Super bulky wool or cotton yarn
• 9–12 mm crochet hook
• Stitch marker, yarn needle, scissors
• Round pillow or fleece for padding

How to make it
You’ll crochet a bowl, build the walls, then taper the roof.
Leave a doorway and finish with a firm rim.

Step by step

1. Make a magic ring, 6 sc.
2. Increase in rounds to a 14–16 in base. Use even increases.
3. Work even rounds to raise the wall 5–6 in.
4. Mark a 6–7 in doorway. Skip those stitches.
5. Keep crocheting in rounds to build the dome.
6. Add light decreases every other round to curve the roof.
7. When the opening height looks right, stop decreasing.
8. Crochet a tight round of sc around the doorway for strength.
9. Weave in ends and shape the cave by hand.
10. Add a round pad inside.

By the way, if you're into DIY Hacks stuff, you’ll wanna check this one out: 5 DIY Cat Bridge Ideas You Can Build Without Fancy Tools

2. Geometric plywood cave

This is a modern wooden hideout that looks like decor. It’s sturdy and easy to clean.

Materials

• 12 mm plywood sheet
• Paper template for 10–12 polygon panels
• Wood glue, 25 mm brad nails or screws
• Sandpaper, clamp straps, matte varnish
• Jigsaw or circular saw, drill, miter box if you have one
• Thin foam pad and fabric cover

How to make it
You’ll cut equal panels, bevel edges a little, then glue a faceted shell.
Cut a front opening before final sanding.

Step by step

1. Print a polygon template about 10–12 in wide.
2. Trace and cut 10–12 panels from plywood.
3. Lightly bevel long edges at about 10–15 degrees.
4. Dry-fit panels into a faceted “ball” and adjust.
5. Glue two panels at a time and clamp.
6. Keep adding panels until one face remains open.
7. On that face, draw a doorway and cut it out.
8. Add small inside cleats if you want extra strength.
9. Sand all edges smooth.
10. Seal with varnish and let it cure.
11. Place a thin cushion inside.

Oh, and speaking of DIY Hacks, here’s another one you might like: 5 Outdoor Cat Gardens So Fun You’ll Want to Move In Too

3. Chunky cord crochet pod

This one uses thick cotton cord or T-shirt yarn. It holds its shape well.

Materials

• 5–7 mm braided cotton cord or T-shirt yarn
• 12–15 mm crochet hook
• Stitch marker, scissors
• Non-slip mat or felt for the base

How to make it
You’ll crochet a thick spiral so the walls stand up.
Keep the doorway small to feel den-like.

Step by step

1. Magic ring, 6 sc, tighten hard.
2. Increase each round to a 13–15 in base.
3. Slip in a circle of felt under the last round if you want grip.
4. Work even rounds to lift the wall 6–7 in.
5. Chain over 6–8 stitches to form the doorway gap.
6. Continue in rounds to build the top.
7. Slightly decrease to curve the roof.
8. Finish with a firm hdc round at the doorway.
9. Steam-shape if needed so it sits flat.

Also, just throwing this in—this DIY Hacks post is a fun read too: 5 Indoor Cat Garden Ideas That Will Keep Your Kitty Busy All Day

4. Felted wool pebble cave

This looks like a smooth stone. It’s warm and silent inside.

Materials

• 300–400 g wool roving
• Large resist template cut from thin foam or plastic
• Warm water, soap, spray bottle
• Old towel, scissors, bowl

How to make it
You’ll wet-felt layers over a resist, then cut a doorway.
Full the wool until the felt is thick and tight.

Step by step

1. Cut an oval resist about 22 by 18 in.
2. Lay thin wool layers over the resist, alternating directions.
3. Wet with warm soapy water and press flat.
4. Flip and cover the other side the same way.
5. Rub and roll for 15–20 minutes each side.
6. Cut a front slit, remove the resist.
7. Turn inside out and keep fulling with hot water and rubbing.
8. Shrink until the felt is firm and about cat size.
9. Trim the doorway to a neat oval.
10. Rinse, shape, and dry stuffed with towels.

5. Giant yarn-ball cave

It looks like a ball of yarn with knitting needles. Light and fun.

Materials

• Balloon or beach ball 16–20 in
• Thick acrylic yarn
• White glue mixed 1:1 with water
• Plastic wrap, bowl, wooden dowels for “needles”
• Small base stand or two sticks to cradle the ball

How to make it
You’ll harden glue-soaked yarn over a balloon.
Pop the balloon and cut a doorway.

Step by step

1. Inflate the balloon and wrap in plastic.
2. Soak yarn in the glue mix.
3. Wrap crisscross around the balloon, leave a doorway gap.
4. Keep wrapping until the shell looks dense.
5. Set on cups so it doesn’t roll and let it dry a full day.
6. Pop and remove the balloon.
7. Trim the opening with scissors.
8. Push two dowels through the shell as playful “needles.”
9. Place a small cushion inside and set the ball on its stand.

6. Candy-corn fabric tent cave

This is a soft foam tent with three color panels. It’s a cute seasonal build.

Materials

• 10–12 mm upholstery foam sheet
• Cotton fabric in white, orange, yellow
• Paper pattern for a simple pyramid
• Fabric glue or sewing machine
• Bias tape for edges, zipper or Velcro for a removable pad
• Scissors, pins, marker

How to make it
You’ll make a foam pyramid and a fitted cover.
Add a front doorway and a washable pad.

Step by step

1. Draft four identical triangle walls about 16–18 in tall.
2. Cut foam pieces and one floor piece.
3. Glue foam edges to form a pyramid.
4. Cut matching fabric triangles in three colors.
5. Sew triangles together into a shell, leave a front opening.
6. Slide the cover over the foam body.
7. Bind edges with bias tape for clean seams.
8. Sew a small cushion and add Velcro or a zipper.
9. Place the pad inside and fluff.

7. Chevron tunnel cave

This is a padded tunnel with a wide front arch. Cats feel hidden but can watch.

Materials

• Flexible plastic sheet or thin plywood for the arch
• 1–2 cm thick foam or batting
• Upholstery fabric with chevron print
• Hot glue or spray adhesive
• Staple gun, scissors, measuring tape
• Cushion insert

How to make it
You’ll build a U-shaped frame, wrap it with foam, then slip on a cover.
Add a soft base and a removable pillow.

Step by step

1. Cut a rectangle of plastic, about 20 by 28 in.
2. Bend it into a half-tube and secure ends to a thin base board.
3. Glue foam on the outside and inside surfaces.
4. Cut fabric panels with 1 in seam allowance.
5. Sew a simple slipcover like a half-tube.
6. Slide the cover over the arch and staple under the base.
7. Hem the doorway edge so it doesn’t fray.
8. Add a padded floor cushion that fits snug.
9. Place non-slip pads under the base.