I know it may seem strange for me to be posting this after recently launching the new Palm Springs Lounge, but remember, the very high end design is meant to inspire everyone to be creative! So, I did just that by converting this vintage planter into a simple DIY cat bed. I had a custom cushion made to fit the planter, but you may be able to find an inexpensive ready-made cushion that will work just fine. Look for a large planter or other container at a thrift shop or vintage store, keeping in mind that cats like to fit into snug spaces, plus they like to peek out and survey the world around them. This cushion is about 5 inches thick, so it’s nice and comfy, plus it has a removable, washable cover. Mackenzie settled himself right in!
I’d love to see any creative DIY cat beds you have made. Please send photos to kate [at] moderncat [dot] net.
March 17th, 2011 at 9:27 am
Kate – that’s fabulous. I always see beautiful pots that I want, but I know if I put a plant in them, then the plant will be dead in a week. So I don’t buy them. I wish I had the sewing skills you do (I have none) or I would do this immediately. You should share this on Nate Berkus’ show!! Great idea!
Jenny
March 17th, 2011 at 10:13 am
I looked over in the middle of the night last night and there was a big black cat curled up and snoozing! Success!
March 17th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Aw, love it!
March 17th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Reminds me of this video of kittens in bowls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARnwejzUzAA
March 17th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
This is such a great idea! I can’t sew, so I’d probably look for an already made cushion. Thanks for sharing this. Priority #1 is putting in a few wall steps before any other upgrades.
March 17th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
So far, the “designs” here have run to packing boxes and bags; but your ideas are excellent, Kate, and inspirational
March 17th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
this is a great idea!!! i don’t have houseplants any more either but will be on the lookout for planters
March 17th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
How cute! And such a great idea
March 17th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
That is sooooo cute & clever! Who’d a thunk?
March 19th, 2011 at 7:05 am
nice, very nice.
March 19th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I like this one better than the Palm Springs.
March 22nd, 2011 at 3:18 pm
That’s what I could have done with the giant ceramic Chinese one I saw at the Goodwill a couple months ago!
May 30th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Any suggestions for places to get those cushions? Don’t sew.
October 1st, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Note…you don’t need to sew. She had hers ‘custom made.’
But really, cushion is mostly for YOU not the cat (take a look at pictures of ‘cats in sinks’ – padding is optional.
Find a pattern you like in a fabric shop in the scraps & cheap stuff.
Buy a piece at least as wide, or twice as wide as the bottom of the pot.
Fold it so it fits (you can old it into an octaganol or hex pattern or just square.
Lay it into the pot.
You can also just cut a circle and drop it in, or hot glue it so it stays. I like colored burlap for the cats, and I used it to cover the back of my office chair so that they could scratch there (since they REALLY liked to scratch there.
I’ve also taken carpet scraps or doormats and used them over the corners of things like couches or beds which are often prominintly located and thus ideal for cat ‘hiway signage’ Just in front of such places is also an ideal place for a scratching post..they will use IT instead of the furniture (mostly.)