Optimize Your Vertical Space With These 15 Best Cat Shelves

Whether it's a countertop, window sill, or cat wall furniture, indoor cats love having an elevated hang-out spot. Up high, your feline friend can nap, play, and escape from perceived danger to somewhere they feel safe and comfortable.

Many cat owners know about scratching posts, a cat condo, window perch, but cat wall shelves are fun alternatives. By taking advantage of unused vertical space, you can create an enticing place for your cats to climb— all without wasting any precious floor space. They make a fun addition to any pet parent's living room, bedroom, or home office.

In this guide to cat shelves, we'll answer all your questions about wall-mounted cat furniture and highlight the best cat shelves on the market today.

What Are Cat Shelves?

Cat shelves are shelves mounted to a wall or even a door, and they can be a floating shelf or perch covered in soft material like a carpet to give your cat something comfortable to lay on.

Cat shelves are a great way to utilize your home vertically for your cats, as the cat shelves allow cats to lounge, sleep, play, scratch, and escape.

Why Do You Need Wall Shelves

Provide A Sense Of Security

Cat loves high places because it gives them a sense of security and keeps them safe from predators on the ground. If you have dogs, kids, or a stranger coming to visit your home, your cats can get spooked and wants to hide. And having wall shelves in your home provides a safe area for your cat to get away from unwanted situations.

Mental Stimulation

In the wild, cats spend most of their waking hours' hunting. For an indoor cat, climbing up to get a better view of their "prey" will give them some mental stimulation.

Provide Your Cat Territory

Cats are territorial loners by nature. While domestic cats have evolved and tolerate other indoor cats and pets, they still enjoy some space all to themselves.

Fun Enrichment

Indoor cats can often get bored and gain unwanted weight. Having wall perches and shelves will help them climb, explore, burn off energy and help them stay fit. And by having something to keep them entertained, they will be less destructive.

How Deep And Wide Should Cat Shelves Be?

The best cat shelves measure around 10-15 inches wide and 10 inches deep. Any smaller, and they won't offer enough space for larger cats to lay down or safely turn around comfortably. If you've got multiple cats, you may want to opt for slightly larger shelves that can accommodate more than one cat at once.

15 best cat shelves To Add To Your Home

While you can make your own DIY cat shelves if you're handy, these stylish, sturdy cat shelves make an easy addition to any home. If you do choose to build your own, you'll want to ensure they're strong enough to support your pet's body weight safely.

Whether you want to spoil your one fur baby or have multiple cats, this CatastrophiCreation Dakota is a great option. It features a sturdy hidden bracket system and can hold up to 85 pounds per wooden piece! Not to mention, the beautiful, large, and sleek design will blend with any home decor style. And if you've got a high-energy cat that loves to scratch, opt in for this set with a scratching post. 

CatastrophiCreations Garden Complex Wall Mounted Cat Tree Shelf Set is the ultimate cat shelf set that your feline friends will have a blast playing on. This large complex is perfect for multi-cat households, and it can help resolve behavioral and territorial problems. It comes with four planters to discourage your cats from chewing on objects in your home and encourage them to chew cat-friendly plants instead! Simply mount the bamboo cat tree shelf set to your wall and let the exploring begin.

Your furry friends will love these Lounger Wall-Mounted Cat Shelves from TRIXIE, no matter their age or activity level. The four-piece set includes two steps, a cat hammock, and a plush-lined condo with a removable cushion. It's the perfect spot for an energetic kitten to play or a fully-grown cat to curl up for a nap. Using the hardware included, the shelves mount securely between 12 and 16-inch wall studs to create any configuration you'd like. Pet parents can choose between gray or brown color options that complement any space.

Spoil your indoor cat with this Deluxe Wall-Mounted Cat Playground from Cosy and Dozy! With catwalks designed for both play and rest, it's guaranteed to keep them entertained. Three wooden finishes and eight fabric options ensure it coordinates perfectly with your home decor too. The cat playset comes ready to hang right out of the box and includes all the installation equipment you'll need.

If your cat's more into cat napping than jumping and climbing, they'll love the Lotus Branch Cat Wall Shelf from The Refined Feline. Its sleek design is crafted from a combination of solid wood and bent plywood that offers plenty of space for large cats to spread out. The slight curve makes for a more comfortable place to sleep while adding a touch of style to your home. Its Berber carpet covering— available in four color options— is easy to replace once it gets worn out by your kitty's sharp claws.

While some cat shelves fall short on style, this Modern Cat Shelf from Real Tree Cats adds a stylish touch to any room. The simple cat shelf comes in two size options and eight wood finishes to match perfectly with the other wood furniture in your home. Crafted from one curved sheet of birch plywood, it's durable, practical, and sturdy enough to support any cat. Plus, the faux fur cover is attached with Velcro strips for added security and easy washing. Pair with two of the shop's V-shaped wall steps to complete your cat-shelf display.

Make the most of your small space by adding this Tuft and Paw Vista Cat Perch to your bedroom, living room, or home office. Mounted on the wall, the cat shelf encourages healthy climbing behaviors while providing a safe space to escape from other pets. Crafted from a single piece of bent plywood, it boasts a minimalist design with smooth curves and a stable perch. The felt interior is soft enough for your cat to cuddle up against and durable enough to withstand sharp cat claws.

To keep your indoor kitties happy and healthy, they'll need regular exercise and mental stimulation. And this Wall-Mounted Cat Tree Activity Center from Tucker Murphy Pet provides just that! The large wall-mounted cat tree boasts cat scratchers surrounded by fun shelves to play and rest. Crafted from solid pine wood, sisal rope, and plush faux fur, it's designed to last through endless catnaps and catnip-powered play sessions.

Cat wall hammocks are another excellent option for sleeping, climbing, and lounging. This Cat Hammock and Wall Shelves Set from 7 Ruby Road Cat features a comfy wall-mounted cat hammock with two wall steps. It's simple design makes for quick and easy installation in any room. Placed near a window, it's the perfect spot to bird watch and observe the outside world. Install the brand's Wall Cat Scratcher nearby to encourage healthy scratching behaviors.

This multifunction set from Catsy Home is hard to beat when it comes to cat wall furniture. The deluxe set includes a cat hammock, wall bridge, scratching post, and three to five wooden steps. Each piece is crafted by hand from solid pine wood with a pet-safe water-based stain and all-natural jute rope. The cat furniture helps beat boredom and keep your cat in touch with its primal hunting instincts by offering places to jump, scratch, and explore.

Turn your house into a pet paradise with this Feline Lotus Leaf Cat Perch from The Refined. The shallow bowl design offers a comfortable place for your feline friend to rest and relax away from other pets, and it's got enough space for them to spread out while they sleep. Plus, the replaceable Berber carpet lining adds a comfortable touch that can withstand the kitty's sharp claws. Pet parents can choose between four color options— espresso, mahogany, smoke, and white— that complement any interior design scheme.

If you are looking for a stylish piece that allows your cat to play while being an artsy piece, this NEKO Set 9 For cats is worth checking out. Handcrafted from plywood, ecological, renewable, and biodegrade material with high aesthetics. Finished with pillows and felt, so your kitty won't slip, and an everyday nap will be even better! Thanks to the minimalistic design, it will fit perfectly into any interior, and used wood will warm up every room.

These Hexagonal Cat Shelves from RSH Pets are designed to please both pets and pet parents. The hexagon shape adds style to your wall while offering a suitable place for your kitties to climb. You can also add additional decorative panels to the hexagons for added style. Needless to say, these unique wall shelves make an excellent addition to any living space. RSH offers cat wall furniture in all sorts of shape and size options, so sure to check out the other configurations too!

Why have cat shelves when you can have a cat wall-mounted tree? With this Lianna Cat tree, your cat can explore in style with various activities to experience while escaping when things are uncertain. And the best part is these wall-based cat climbers is they don't take up the floor space like traditional cat furniture, thus allowing more room in your house for other stuff.

Nothing could be as unique and special as this Bubble Shelf With Steps from Etsy. Whether it is a gift for your cat or a cat lover, these bubble shelf steps truly offer something unique and interesting. They make a stylish wall decoration and bring a positive mood to any space while providing a fun and relaxing place for your cat. Each step is finished with a pillow, so your kitty won't slip, making it the perfect spot for an everyday nap. Crafted from birch wood and painted with transparent acrylic lacquer. You can mount this on your wall with hidden screws, making installation a breeze. 

FAQs

How Do You Install Cat Wall Shelves?

When it comes to cat shelves, proper installation is crucial. To keep your cats safe and your walls free from damage, you'll need to ensure they can safely support the weight of your cat. This is especially important if you've got multiple cats, as they'll often climb on the same shelf at the same time. The safest way to install cat shelves is to mount them onto wall studs.

When mounting the shelves, you'll want to choose a location that's practical for your pet. Keep them at least 12 inches horizontally and 18 inches vertically from neighboring shelves. This encourages them to jump from ledge to ledge without making it too difficult for small kittens or lazy older cats.

Place the cat shelves somewhere with an unobstructed view of the room to help them feel safe and protected. If your cat enjoys birdwatching, mount them near a window for endless entertainment.

Are Cat Shelves Safe?

The wall-mounted cat shelf is safe if installed correctly. That means you must follow the installation instruction when installing the shelves. Make sure to install the screws/bolts into the wall studs or use the correct wall anchors. You also will want to make sure your wall can support the weight of the shelves, perch, hammock, and including the weight of your cats. 

Do Cats Like Cat Shelves?

It doesn't take a cat whisperer to see that cats love spending time in high places. Cat shelves tap into your pet's natural inclination to climb, jump, and explore high places. They offer a safe place to sleep and play and escape from perceived danger.

Mount them somewhere that provides your cat with a good view of the room. This helps increase their sense of security and prevents them from climbing on other furniture to feel safer or get a better view.

Where To Put Cat Shelves?

The shelves should be placed somewhere your cats will sleep and be comfortable in and away from places where they can hit and break something. It should have an easy access point and have enough space for your cat to jump on and off the shelf. It's best to keep shelves away from television, cabinets, couches, and beds.