Apply acrylic paint using a wide paint brush or a foam brush. To reduce brushstrokes, apply the paint in thin layers. Let each layer dry before applying another one. If you are spray painting the box, go outside or work in a well-ventilated area. Be sure to cover your work surface with lots of newspaper. To cover your box with fabric: Cut five pieces of fabric. Each one needs to be large enough to cover each side of the box. Cover the box with glue, and press the fabric down onto it. Work on one side at a time.
Consider gluing a ½ to 1 inch wide ribbon all the way around the edge of the box opening. This will not only hide the top edge of the curtain, but also give the box some contrast.
Set circle and paw print shaped doors about 1 to 2 inches (2. 54 to 5. 08 centimeters) up from the bottom edge. Use a plate to trace the circle or paw pad. Use a small cup to trace the “fingers” of the paw. Set arched, square, and triangular doors right against the bottom edge.
If your second box came flat/unfolded, slip a self-healing cutting mat inside before cutting it.
If you are using spray paint, be sure to cover your work space with newspaper. Paint outside or in a well-ventilated area. If you are using acrylic paint, apply the paint using a wide paintbrush or a foam brush. To get a smooth finish, apply several thin coats of paint rather than one thick coat.
If you are putting a blanket or towel on the second floor, make sure that you are not covering up the crawl hole.
The cube-shaped coffee table should not have a shelf between the legs. It is fine if the rectangular one has a shelf, however.
You will be gluing rope to some of the table legs in a later step. You might want to leave those legs unpainted. If you will be gluing some carpet down to the top of the square table (or the shelf on the rectangular table), leave that part unpainted.
If you are using wood glue: paint the bottom of the square table’s legs with a thick layer of wood glue. Place the table down on top of the rectangular table and let the glue dry. If you are using metal brackets: Take four L-shaped metal brackets, and screw them to the inside of each of the square table’s legs. Set the table down on top of the rectangular table. Screw the brackets to the top of the rectangular table.
Consider wrapping some of the legs on the rectangular table as well. You can wrap whatever legs you want. They don’t have to be right next to each other, like with the square table. These rope-wrapped legs will act as scratching posts for your cat, and save your furniture.
If your rectangular table has a shelf, consider cover that with carpet as well. You can use any color of carpet you like. It can match the table color, or contrast it. For example, if your table is white, consider blue or teal for the carpet.
For a standard-sized cat, start with18 inches (45. 72 centimeters) as your largest box. The other three boxes are as follows: 16 inches (40. 64 centimeters), 14 inches (35. 56 centimeters), and 12 inches (30. 48 centimeters). If you have a large cat, such as a Maine Coon, you will need bigger boxes. The boxes can be made out of wood or cardboard. Wooden boxes, however, will be more durable. You can buy the boxes, or build them yourself using cheap wood or particle board. Use nails or wood glue to put the boxes together.
You can make the windows and doors any shape you want, but circles and paw prints are the most popular. If you are adding windows, make them smaller than the doorways.
Keep in mind that you will be stacking these boxes. You don’t want the holes to be peeking out from under the upper box.
You can paint the boxes all the same color, or contrasting colors. You can paint the inside of the boxes the same color as the outside. You can also paint the inside a different color. Consider painting the inside rims of the doors and windows using a contrasting color. This will help them stand out more.
Make sure that the doorways are facing the ledges.
