How To Turn A Laundry Basket Into A Hanging Cat Bed

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Cats love to nap, snoozing for 15 to 20 hours per day. It's not unusual to find them sacked out in random places such as your favorite chair, computer keyboard, or even in a basket of laundry. Create a favorite sleeping spot that's all her own by creating a cozy hanging napping nook from a wicker laundry basket.

Trisha Sprouse

First, choose a basket

Cats will curl and cuddle up for a nap in almost anything from shipping boxes to large bowls, and it might surprise you when you find your feline sound asleep in seemingly strange places. The variety of laundry baskets available make it easy to choose one to fit your cat's preferences — and your decor.

Make sure the basket is sturdy enough to provide a solid resting place. Even though cats generally enjoy a swinging basket, one with a floor with too much give could spook your kitty and cause him to avoid it. An open wicker laundry basket such as the Home Basics Wicker Laundry Basket can create an easy, inexpensive hanging bed for your cat. But the best basket is one that fits your cat's preferences for sleeping spots.

For example, if your cat prefers snuggling into a small space, choose a more compact basket like the Small Cotton Rope Basket KRUIO Decorative Woven Basket. Cats that like to hide, stretch out, or snuggle with their buddy might enjoy a longer, deeper basket like The Basket Lady Oval Wicker Laundry Basket.

Pick a place to hang it

Knowing where you want your cat's sleeping spot to hang is crucial to your project, so it's best to decide before diving into crafting your cat's cuddle spot. Should your feline prefer privacy, hanging its laundry basket bed could be as simple as attaching the ropes to the clothing bar in an unused part of a closet that you can leave partially open to allow access.

A corner tension rod creates a cozy cuddle spot in the corner of any room. This placement is particularly good when you have a social cat who likes to observe the household activity for small corners that separate one room from another. Position the rod at a level where the basket will hang at a placement where your cat can easily and safely jump in and out. If you have a big or heavy kitty, mount the tension rod to the wall using screws and drywall anchors to securely support her weight.

A parson's table or another side table with enough room between its four legs can create a snug hideaway for your kitty's catnaps. You might also wish to secure it on the wall beneath securely mounted cat shelves or steps such as the Trixie Playground Wall Mounted Cat Shelves.

If your cat spends time in a cage or crate while you're out of the house, make it comfy by attaching the laundry basket bed to the metal frame. This method is particularly good when rehoming ferals as working barn cats: During the two weeks they must be kept in an extra-large dog crate to adjust to the new location, a hanging bed offers a source of entertainment as well as a comfy hideout.

Create kitty's cuddle zone

Cut four equal lengths of cotton cord of an appropriate length to hang your cat's bed in the desired location. Determine how far down you want your cat's bed to hang from the anchor point and add 6 to 8 inches to the measurement to allow for tying knots and wrapping around the basket's rim. You can always trim excess away.

To hang your cat cradle from a corner tension rod placed at 3-1/2 feet above floor level, use 3-foot segments of the cord. If you're planning to hang the bed from a closet rod, start with a minimum of 4-1/2 foot rope segments.

Paracord Planet Twisted 3 Strand Natural Cotton Rope Artisan Cord comes in a wide range of colors and thicknesses. Use a minimum of 1/2" cord to support the basket.

Tie one strand of rope to each corner of the laundry basket, threading it under the rim and double-knotting it to ensure it's stable when hung. Tie the two ropes at each end of the basket together tightly, making sure they are secure.

Use large s-hooks or shower curtain hooks to attach the rope to the curved tension rod or metal frame of your cat's crate. Loop the rope over cat shelving posts or wrap and tie around side table legs to suspend. Adjust the rope length to ensure the basket hangs at the desired level. Keep in mind that your cat's weight will cause it to descend slightly.

Put a fluffy blanket, cushion, and a toy with catnip in your cat's new bed to entice him. To create an attractive corner niche, place some throw pillows behind the hanging bed and a fluffy rug underneath it.