I’m a mom to a calico who’s constantly begging to go outside, but living in an apartment means space is tight. I’ve always dreamed of building her a little patio, something simple but safe, like a mini catio. While scrolling, I came across so many great ideas, and figured you all might appreciate the inspiration too.
Check These Inspirations
The first catio in this article by u/OneManFiveCats is basically a five-star jungle retreat, and I’m pretty sure my cat would pack her things if she saw it.
Here’s a video tour of the catio (which has over 640,000 views).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfjr3Sv8teU
Watching the video takes the experience beyond static photos: you get a 360° peek at the ivy-draped tunnels and solar-lit platforms named after each cat.
And here’s the thing I love: the blend of real, cat-safe potted plants (catnip, mint, olive tree) with faux greenery for year-round lushness.
u/HARRIZ22 built this catio completely from scratch, no blueprints, just an idea in their head, and about £300–£350 worth of materials. That part alone stresses me out, but the result is actually super charming. It’s fully screened on all sides (yep, even the roof), which keeps things safe while still letting in plenty of light. Inside, there’s a comfy couch, a basket of flowers, and the kind of cozy layout that makes it feel more like a backyard sunroom than a place for cats.
u/koneillp turned their front porch into a catio, and honestly, it’s the kind of setup that looks like it was always meant to be there. They used painted wood tied into the existing porch structure, then stapled in 2×2 galvanized wire mesh to keep it sturdy and secure. It’s a pretty simple design, OP even admitted they were worried it might look like an eyesore, but it turned out way more polished than expected. The cats can come and go through a window cat door (which gets locked at night), and they only use it while someone’s at home.
This 11’x11′ catio by u/NVgal58 might be the most thoughtful pet build I’ve seen in a while.
Built right off the living room window, it features a low-pile astroturf floor from Lowe’s (a huge upgrade from the original dirt setup), plus a rock left in the middle just because the cats enjoy it.
While the design looks open, it’s fully enclosed with mesh fencing to keep birds and wildlife out.
Here’s a custom-built setup by u/SimplePengui that is basically a suite for three young Ragdolls, complete with elevated condos and clear bubble windows that everyone (myself included) is obsessed with. It was designed by PetCaves UK for about £2.8k, and while it’s not DIY, it’s styled like a dream cat castle.
The structure uses a tight mesh that helps with safety and visibility, and there’s smart planning behind the materials. OP is waiting to seal the wood until it’s properly weathered. I love that the space doubles as a summer work spot, too.
Look at this hexagon-stacked catio by u/alfar22 looks like a modern art installation made just for cats. Built directly onto the side of the house, each wooden cell forms a vertical honeycomb that the cats can climb through, peek out from, and, presumably, nap in. There’s no build breakdown, which disappointed a few folks hoping to DIY something similar, but visually it’s super compelling.
u/BeneficialClerk2103’s catio is more than just a DIY project, it feels like a retreat right outside the house. Built with a 10mm polycarbonate roof and heavy-duty galvanized wire, it’s solid and weather-ready, but what makes it stand out is how wild and alive it feels. There’s a full garden with non-toxic plants in every corner. It kind of makes my day to see this.
u/Hi_from_Danielle’s patio-turned-catio is the kind of setup that looks.
It’s filled with soft natural elements, driftwood, sisal rope, spider plants, and hand-grown greens like wheatgrass and chia, and even includes a bead chandelier that casts rainbows across the space.
The handmade rope ladder wasn’t just cute; the cats actually use it. With four cats in a small house, this little fresh-air retreat feels like a gift to everyone involved.
Mango’s first snow day on the new catio felt like watching a kid experience magic for the first time. Built for u/Few_Vermicelli_5794’s birthday in Georgia, the structure doesn’t have flooring yet. Still, even with bare cedar planks, it’s already a favorite hangout. Mango perched on the second shelf, wide-eyed at the snow, while his mom, Melon stayed cozy indoors. The $1800 build was done by a local crew, no plans or kit, just a photo and materials list handed off to a contractor.
This 80-square-foot catio wraps around two windows so the cats can come and go like royalty, and the build only took two days, pretty impressive. It’s freestanding, so no permit is needed, and most of the wood is pressure-treated. The floor is plywood topped with turf, but there’s concern in the comments about future rot. u/AnnesMan skipped a moisture barrier in their excitement, but plans to repaint or replace it later. If the plywood fails, they’ll sub in deck boards.
u/AFoxC’s whole garden catio is the kind of build that looks simple at first glance, but the more you notice, the smarter it gets. For under £300 and in less than two days, they turned an average yard into a full roaming space, secured with mesh roofing that prevents their Savannah from pulling Houdini moves.
This catio by u/IreyWest is a bright, sprawling playground built for nine cats, with wide shelves, benches, and bold colors. The only thing is two ceiling-hung hammocks that look great, but swing too much for the cats to use.
The next catio by u/mle32000 is a fully DIY build, designed from scratch and gradually refined over months, from framing and angled shelf mounts to final paint and stain. It’s a smart balance of sturdy construction and thoughtful layout, with wide 12″ shelves for lounging, smaller ones for navigating, and tiered platforms that make it easy for both athletic and less-mobile cats to climb. The structure is anchored with 4×4 posts set in concrete and bolted shelf mounts for durability, which shows in how secure everything looks.
u/twitch2641’s catio is a DIY standout built from scratch with SketchUp, clocking in under $450, a huge contrast to the $1,000 prefab cages they compared it to. The structure sits on a porch corner, fully screened with heavy-duty fiberglass mesh, and includes outdoor-rated carpet, paint, and a clever window insert that acts like an AC unit, sealing the cat door without drilling into the house. It’s intentionally free-standing, so it’s removable if needed, and while it started without a door, OP quickly added one for easier access.
Cedar’s catio isn’t just a backyard project, it’s a love letter from a dad to his favorite cat. Built within a week, this $1500 DIY build includes concrete block foundations, premium materials, and thoughtful touches like removable side panels for easy cleaning. The multiple levels and connecting catwalk give it a real sense of space and function, and apparently, Cedar’s already been spotted birdwatching and stargazing like the queen she is.
u/AngryTaper’s catio proves you don’t need a massive yard to create something special. Tucked right onto the patio, this small, cozy setup feels more like a sunroom for cats than a cage. Built for around $350 using cedar shingles and sturdy mesh, it’s compact but thoughtfully designed, with just enough room for lounging, birdwatching, and sunbathing.
This tiny catio by u/thisllbefine might be small, but it’s full of charm and smart design. Built off a laundry room window, it uses 1×3 primed wood for the frame, cedar boards for the floor, and pressure-treated 2x2s for the corners. Black-coated hog wire gives it a clean, modern look while keeping it breezy. It’s secured with HeadLOKs into the studs and a bead of sealant, so it stays watertight without damaging the siding.
I loved how this one came together, not just cute, but actually clever. u/sluke1090 built the catio right off the window with a plexiglass roof and a big overhang, so it stays dry even in the rain. You can still close the window when it’s not in use, which solves the usual insulation drama. At first, people were concerned about bugs sneaking in through the gaps in the wire, but the update with a tighter mesh fixed that. The one thing people worry about is the structural cutouts in the support beams, some worried they were sliced too deeply, but the outer bracing seems to hold it all steady.
u/No-Extent9565 turned their backyard into a softly lit evening retreat, cat shelves for climbing, cozy chairs for hanging out, and enough greenery to make it feel like an outdoor jungle. It’s a shared space, not just a pet enclosure, which is probably why people kept saying they wanted to be adopted next. The vibe struck me most: peaceful, spacious, and clearly made with care.
I get way too excited over soft lighting, thrifted finds, and rearranging furniture at 2am. I’m here for the cozy chaos, the little corners that feel just right, and making a home that feels like you. Not fancy. Just real.