Korean designer Seungji Mun created this concept for a feline-friendly sofa. Simply called the Cat Tunnel Sofa, it integrates a play tube for kitties into the design of the sofa structure. I think it’s pretty brilliant and I have some foster kittens right now who would go out of their minds for this.
As a concept, it’s intriguing, but I do think there are some practical issues that need to be addressed. The number one concern I have is cleaning. Yes, there’s an opening on top, but there are still long stretches of tube that I’m pretty sure will be christened with a hairball or two almost immediately upon introduction. How are you going to clean that? Also, I have a rule that there are no places in my house where my cats can go where I could not reach them in case of an emergency (or an unwanted trip to the vet), so this would need some modification to work for me, but I absolutely love the basic idea.
via freshome | Catsparella | technabob
August 5th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Thanks, I’m about to strip a Coach to see if I can make it Cat Friendly…
this won’t be the end design but happy to know I’m not completely Bonkers!
August 5th, 2012 at 9:50 am
Love the concept, but do agree that it’s a bit too closed in. Perhaps a hinged door on the top and on the arm. That way, if you needed to, you could open it up and get kitties out.
August 5th, 2012 at 10:15 am
I agree that there should be a few exits in the back or a door for cleaning and retrieving hidey-cat. But it is a great concept!
August 5th, 2012 at 10:21 am
I agree with you. I love the looks of it, but it sure seems like a place where the cats could make themselves totally inaccessible. Also the hole at the bottom seems like a great place to hide to ambush unsuspecting, dandling hooman footsies! ow!
August 5th, 2012 at 11:01 am
The concept is uber-cool, but some of these comments will give me nightmares about Kramer getting stuck!
August 5th, 2012 at 11:01 am
With Mishka, it is already tough to find her toys-
As I siamese she will scream until I run around the house and find them, this would makes things all that much more difficult. She has got me trained, as well as the dog.
August 5th, 2012 at 11:21 am
LOVE THIS and the fix is simple: tube(s) within the outer tube that can be pulled out easily to clean (or extricate a cat)
and then replaced just as easily.
August 5th, 2012 at 11:30 am
\Sorry, A bit oddly designed.
August 5th, 2012 at 11:51 am
I love this! I haven’t had any issues with the kittens hiding away or spitting up hairballs.. yet. But it’s got me thinking… Maybe I can adapt my crummy futon into something similar
August 5th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Agree, easy fix is making it easy to unscrew the tubes for tub cleaning and kitty finding.
August 5th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
this is just way too cool. I can’t believe the creative pet ideas I find on this sight. I want one of everything.
August 5th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Looks easy enough – do you people not have ARMS? Look at that big hole. I know I could get a cat out of any part of that, although some parts might require another person from the other end.
August 5th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Oh, if you ever need to get a kitty out of the tube in an emergency, you’d just pick the whole PVC assembly up and shake wildly. A cat will soon emerge out of one end or the other. As for cleaning, I’m sure a vacuum would reach in there with no trouble, and knowing how much cats looooooove vacuums, well, it would also serve as an alternate method of getting the kitty to come out.
August 5th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Love the concept! I’d add another exit on top too. But the sofa doesn’t look too comfortable. I wonder if you could develop a tube like this and make it look like pillows/headrest and give the kitties the same opportunity for play? Anyway, it’s a GREAT idea and I’m sure my cats would enjoy it.
August 5th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Love the concept but I’m concerned about the materials that would be used in the final design. Will the glues, tubes, carpet, etc. be cat-safe for long-term exposure?
Thank you for the post.
August 5th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
This has some great possibilities — Could use the cardboard concrete forms from Home Depot. I wonder if they have corners/connectors….
August 5th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
I completely agree with you on the practical issues you mentioned, also what about it encouraging a cat to scratch furniture? As you know they often play and wrestle with their hidey-holes etc and i like to give them the freedom to do that. With this I would be saying “No” because it is a couch.
August 5th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
I would buy that. What fun!!
August 5th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
I agree, this concept is brilliant but definitely an early iteration. This could be the seed for so many cool furniture options.
August 5th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
I like the hinge idea, great if done with strategic placement. Ultra modern is not my cup of tea, but this does get the creative juices flowing for all kind of adaptations. Thank you.
August 6th, 2012 at 6:53 am
That curve from the upper level to the lower gives this plenty of visual punch, but practically that is the part that worries me most. I don’t really see this as a viable commercial product so much as inspiration for DIY and crafty types. And if this is for some design competition, I hope s/he wins!
August 6th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
That is a cool sofa idea that kitties would love. I like the #13 response from Alan. A vacuum cleaner would likely empty the tunnel rather quickly. I hope we get to see the final product.
August 6th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Hinged top is a great idea. DON’T want my BBBT getting her Buttiuss stuck in there!!!
August 7th, 2012 at 10:59 am
Interesting concept – honestly the thing looks uncomfortable as heck for humans. Shaking of pure bites would get any of my cats out of the tubes, but access holes or lids could help that problem.
August 9th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
My cat would love this. Great thought!
October 6th, 2012 at 11:44 am
Can someone make this for me? I am totally useless with making furniture, and I could use a new couch, AND a place for my kitties! This would be like a dream come true for me! But I would want different colors for sure.