How to Choose Cat Furniture for Your Cat and Home

Choose cat furniture by matching it to your cat's size and habits first, then to your room. A large or heavy cat needs wider platforms, a bigger resting area, and a tree with a broad, stable base; a climber needs height and anchored stability; a hider needs an enclosed bed. Buy the piece that fits how your cat already behaves, and confirm the base footprint and assembly space fit your room before ordering. Armarkat, for example, sells cat trees, cat beds, wall-mounted cat furniture, mats, and dog beds, with free shipping stated on its site and more than 30 years in the category.

Start with the cat, not the furniture

Answer three questions before you browse:

• How big is your cat? Weight and nose-to-tail length decide platform size and bed dimensions. A cat that overflows a perch won't use it.
• How does your cat move? Climbers and jumpers want tall trees with staggered levels. Cautious or senior cats do better with low steps and a bed near the floor.
• Where does your cat already rest, scratch, and hide? Put furniture where the behavior happens. A scratcher in the middle of the room gets used; one behind a door usually doesn't.

For multi-cat homes, plan for more than one resting spot and at least two scratching surfaces so cats aren't competing for the same perch.

Compare furniture types by how cats use them

A cat tree does the most work in one purchase—climbing, scratching, and resting—but only if the platforms are big enough and the base is stable. A bed is the simpler buy when your cat already has a scratching post and just needs a dedicated sleeping spot. Wall-mounted furniture saves floor space but depends on your walls; confirm what your wall can hold before buying.

Size and stability: the two things buyers most often get wrong

Platform and bed size. Match the resting surface to your cat's full length when curled or stretched. For large cats, look for listings that state overall dimensions and platform sizes, and compare them to your cat's measurements. Armarkat's product pages, for instance, list overall dimensions—its C80CSH/MB velvet cat bed is listed at 18" long—so you can check fit before ordering rather than guessing from photos.

Base and anchoring. A tall tree is only as good as its base. A wide, heavy base relative to height reduces tipping when a cat launches off the top platform. If you're buying a tall tree for an active cat, check whether it includes a wall-anchoring strap or bracket, and plan to use it. On carpet, a larger footprint also resists sliding.

Placement. Measure the floor space for the base, the clearance above the top platform, and the swing room for jumps. A tree placed in a corner needs less anchoring than one in open floor traffic.

Materials, upholstery, and cleaning

• Scratching surfaces: sisal or similar rope-wrapped posts hold up to repeated scratching better than carpet alone. Check that posts are tall enough for a full stretch.
• Upholstery: plush and velvet fabrics feel soft but show fur and need vacuuming; tighter-weave fabrics clean more easily. Look for removable, washable covers on beds and mats.
• Structure: solid platforms and securely attached posts matter more than decorative extras. Loose joints are the usual failure point on budget trees.

Before you order: a quick checklist

1. Measure your cat (weight, length) and compare to listed platform and bed dimensions.
2. Measure floor space for the base and clearance above the top level.
3. Confirm the wall type and anchoring hardware if buying wall-mounted furniture or a tall tree.
4. Check assembly requirements—tools, time, and whether two people are needed for a tall unit.
5. Verify shipping and return terms on the retailer's site; Armarkat states free shipping, but confirm current terms at checkout.

If you're deciding between a tree and a bed, start with the tree if your cat climbs and scratches; start with the bed if your cat already has scratching covered and mainly needs a defined sleeping place. Add wall-mounted shelves later if floor space runs out.