How to Set Up a Cat Tree in a Small Apartment in 2026

Living in an apartment does not mean your cat has to miss out on climbing, scratching or having a high place to relax.

The real issue is space.

A large cat tower can quickly feel like it takes over the room, especially in a rental, studio or smaller Australian apartment. Put it in the wrong place and it blocks a walkway. Choose the wrong shape and it becomes another bulky piece of furniture your cat barely uses.

The good news is that a cat tree does not need to dominate the room to be useful. In a small home, placement matters more than size.

Here is how to set one up so it works for both your cat and your floor plan.

Put the Cat Tree Where Your Cat Already Wants to Spend Time

The best location is usually not the emptiest corner.

It is the place your cat already finds interesting.

Cats often prefer elevated areas because height gives them a better view of their surroundings. The AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines note that elevated perches increase usable vertical space and allow cats to monitor their environment. 

In an apartment, this is useful because vertical space is often easier to give up than floor space.

Good locations include:

• beside a secure window;
• next to the sofa;
• in a quiet living-room corner;
• near a sliding balcony door, provided the balcony is secure;
• beside a low cabinet that your cat already likes sitting on.

A cat tree beside a window is often one of the best uses of space because it gives your cat a perch, viewing point and resting place without creating a new activity zone in the middle of the room.

Use Corners Instead of Open Floor Space

For a small apartment, a corner-style cat tower is usually easier to live with than a wide tree positioned in the middle of a wall.

Corners make the structure feel more like part of the room rather than an obstacle.

Before buying, measure:

base width + platform overhang + the space your cat needs to jump on and off.

That last part is easy to forget.

A 45 cm-wide base may sound compact, but if the upper platform sticks out and your cat needs another 50 cm of landing space, the practical footprint is much bigger.

Keep the Main Walking Route Clear

One of the biggest mistakes in small homes is placing pet furniture where people constantly walk.

Avoid setting a cat tree:

• beside the apartment entrance;
• in a narrow hallway;
• between the sofa and TV;
• in front of frequently used cupboards;
• where a bedroom or balcony door swings open.

Your cat also benefits from a calmer location.

RSPCA Australia recommends placing important feline resources in safe areas away from busy or threatening locations where possible. 

A simple test is to walk through your apartment normally for a day and notice the areas you cross most often. Keep the cat tower outside those routes.

A Simple Small-Apartment Cat Setup

This layout works well because each resource has a purpose without all of them being pushed into one area.

Suggested setup:

• cat tree beside the window;
• cat scratcher near the sofa;
• cat bed in a quieter corner;
• toys in the open living area;
• litter tray away from all of the above;
• clear path between rooms.

The goal is not to create a dedicated “cat corner” containing everything your cat owns. Cats often benefit from having important resources separated around the home.

RSPCA guidance, drawing on feline environmental-needs research, recommends providing multiple and separated resources such as resting areas, scratching areas, play zones and toileting areas. 

Don’t Put the Cat Tree Beside the Litter Box

This is especially tempting in a small apartment.

You may only have one obvious pet area, so it seems logical to place the litter tray, food, bed and cat tower together.

From the cat’s point of view, that is not ideal.

RSPCA Australia recommends placing litter trays in quiet areas and physically separating toileting areas from other important resources. 

Your cat is unlikely to see a sleeping platform directly above a toilet area as premium real estate.

If space is tight, separation does not necessarily mean another room. Even a different corner, visual barrier or opposite side of the room can create clearer zones.

Choose Height Over Width

For apartment living, a taller and narrower tree often makes better use of space than a low, wide model.

Think of the cat tower as vertical storage for your cat.

A good small cat tree may include:

• a stable base;
• one or two scratching posts;
• staggered climbing platforms;
• one upper resting perch;
• a compact hideaway.

You do not necessarily need multiple large beds, tunnels and oversized platforms.

The priority should be usable vertical space.

The AAFP/ISFM guidelines also recommend that perches are large enough for a cat to stretch and rest comfortably. 

So avoid going so compact that the upper platform is too small for your cat.

Match the Cat Tree to Your Cat, Not Just the Apartment

A small footprint is useful, but the tree still needs to suit the cat using it.

For a young and active cat, look for more vertical climbing steps and higher platforms.

For a larger cat, prioritise:

• wider platforms;
• stronger posts;
• a heavier base;
• less platform wobble.

For an older cat, avoid big jumps between levels. Lower steps and closer platforms can make the tower easier to use.

If your cat rarely climbs but loves scratching the side of the sofa, a large tower may not be the first thing you need. A separate cat scratcher near the sofa may solve a more immediate problem.

Use a Cat Tree Together With a Scratcher, Toy and Bed

A cat tree does not have to do everything.

In a small apartment, it is often better to use a few compact resources in different locations.

For example:

RSPCA Australia recommends offering cats opportunities for play and predatory behaviour, including interactive toys and food-based enrichment. 

This is why combining a tree with a few well-chosen cat toy can work better than buying one enormous piece of furniture.

A separate cat bed also gives your cat another quiet resting option when they do not want to sleep up high.

Make It Work in a Rental

Renters have a few extra considerations.

Before fixing anything to a wall, check your lease or ask your property manager if permanent fixtures are allowed.

If drilling is not an option, look for a freestanding tower with:

• a wide, stable base;
• good weight distribution;
• non-slip feet;
• compact vertical construction.

Avoid placing a tall cat tree on uneven carpet or beside unstable furniture.

You can also use washable mats underneath the base to reduce floor marks and make cleaning easier.

Avoid These Common Small-Apartment Mistakes

The biggest mistake is buying purely by dimensions.

A narrow tree can still be awkward if the platforms stick into a walkway. A visually compact tower can still feel huge if it sits in the centre of the living room.

Also avoid putting it somewhere just because “there is space.”

If the tree is in a dark corner with no view, far from people and nowhere your cat normally goes, it may remain unused.

A good apartment setup balances three things:

your cat’s behaviour, your daily movement through the room and the available vertical space.

Create More Cat Space Without Losing More Floor Space

You do not need a large home to create a good indoor environment for a cat.

A properly placed cat tree can turn a narrow corner or window area into a climbing, resting and observation zone without taking over your living room.

Keep it away from busy walkways and the litter area, pair it with a separate scratcher and a few toys, and choose a height and platform size that suits your cat.

For Australian apartments, townhouses and rental homes, the best setup is usually not the biggest one. It is the one that uses the space you already have more intelligently.

Explore PawPawUp for cat trees, beds, scratchers and toys designed to help indoor cats stay comfortable, active and entertained at home.