Building a cat tree that doubles as a router stand
A cluttered living room often suffers from the same two problems: nowhere to put the internet box, and a cat that has decided the bookshelf, the curtain, or your shoulder is a perfectly acceptable climbing frame. Combining the two into a single piece of furniture feels like a small revelation. In apartments across Sydney and Melbourne, where square metres cost more per week than a decent lunch, dual-purpose builds make even more sense. A compact cat tree router stand keeps the modem elevated, the cables hidden, and your feline friend happily distracted with their own vertical kingdom.
Australian cat owners tend to keep their cats indoors, partly because councils in places like the ACT and parts of Tasmania have introduced restrictions to keep cats safe from native wildlife. Indoor cats need stimulation, and vertical space is one of the best forms of enrichment you can offer. At the same time, the NBN box that lives somewhere near the television rarely blends with the decor. Solving both problems with plywood, sisal rope, and a Saturday afternoon is easier than most people think, even if your DIY history is limited to assembling flat-pack furniture.
Before picking up a saw, it helps to think about what the finished piece needs to do. It should hold a modem weighing up to two or three kilograms, survive a ten-kilogram cat launching itself onto the top platform at speed, and look acceptable in a rented apartment where damage to walls is a constant worry. A router shelf that doubles as a cat tower also needs ventilation, because modems run warm and cats prefer spots that are not stuffy. Getting the balance right between airflow, aesthetics, and feline satisfaction is the real design challenge.
Why combine the two
Households rarely have a spare corner for a bulky cat tree, and the router usually claims the only available power outlet. Putting both into one footprint means you reclaim floor space, reduce visual mess, and stop the cat from treating the modem like a personal hammock. A router shelf attached to a sturdy cat tower also lifts the modem higher off the ground, which improves signal spread in older brick homes common in Adelaide and Perth suburbs. Higher placement reduces signal obstruction from furniture and water features like fish tanks, and gives cats the height they instinctively prefer for napping and surveying their territory.
The combined structure also gives you a single cable management point. Instead of trailing cords across the floor where a curious kitten can find them, you can route power and ethernet through a hidden channel built into the frame. This matters in Australian summers, when ceiling fans spin constantly and pets shed more, increasing the risk of stray fur getting into electronics. One tidy column beats three separate items cluttering the lounge room.
Planning the build
A quick comparison helps decide which materials suit your skill level, your budget, and the climate where you live. Brisbane humidity, for instance, can warp MDF quickly, while a Melbourne garage workshop handles heavier timber comfortably.
| Material | Cost (AUD) | Durability | Cat acceptance | Ease of cutting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structural pine (Bunnings) | $25–$40 | High | High | Easy |
| MDF panels | $30–$50 | Medium | Medium | Easy |
| Recycled pallets | Free–$15 | Variable | High | Moderate |
| PVC pipe frame | $40–$70 | High | Low–Medium | Hard |
Structural pine from Bunnings Warehouse is the most forgiving option for first-time builders, especially when paired with a drop saw and a few hours of clear floor space. Pallets work well for rustic styles but need sanding and treatment to avoid splinters, which can be an issue for cats that love to rub their faces on raw wood edges.
Tools and materials
Most of what you need is available at Bunnings or any Mitre 10, which keeps the project accessible across suburban Australia. A cordless drill, a jigsaw or handsaw, wood screws, sisal rope, and a staple gun form the core toolkit. For the router section, you will want a small piece of acrylic or mesh to act as a ventilation panel, plus a few cable clips. Cat-friendly finishes matter, so pick water-based sealants rather than oil-based polyurethanes, which can off-gas for weeks and irritate feline lungs.
Timber comes in standard lengths at most Australian hardware stores, so planning around 1.2 metre and 2.4 metre lengths reduces waste. Sisal rope is sold by the metre near the gardening section, and choosing natural fibre rather than synthetic blends holds up better against scratching. For renters in Melbourne or Hobart, felt pads on the base protect floors and keep the tower stable on polished boards.
Building the base and lower platforms
The base needs to be wide and heavy enough to anchor a leaping cat without tipping. A 60 by 60 centimetre square of 18 millimetre structural pine works well for most adult cats, and the weight keeps everything stable. Cutting two lower platforms at 30 by 30 centimetres gives the cat a stepping-stone path upward and leaves room for the router section above. Pre-drilling pilot holes prevents the pine from splitting, which is a common frustration for builders used to working with softer timbers.
Attach the vertical supports first, then fix the platforms at staggered heights so the cat has multiple climbing routes. Around 90 centimetres total height suits most ceiling fans found in Australian homes, leaving enough clearance for the cat to sit upright without brushing the blades. Sand every edge smooth, because cats will find every rough spot with their nose and tongue.
Adding the router housing
The router section sits roughly halfway up the tower, ideally at a height where the modem signal reaches the rest of the home without obstruction. Cut a recessed shelf about 25 by 20 centimetres, deep enough to hold the NBN box securely with room for airflow behind it. A mesh back panel keeps curious paws away from the ports while letting heat escape, which matters in Perth summers when indoor temperatures climb above 30 degrees. Drill a small hole in the rear of the shelf to thread the power cable and ethernet through, then clip them along the inside of the vertical support so they stay hidden from view.
If you keep the router on a separate platform rather than inside a closed box, ventilation happens naturally and your cat gets a warm, humming shelf to nap on, which many cats find irresistible. Just make sure the cables are secured, because a tangled cord pulled by a curious paw can pull a modem onto the floor in seconds.
Cat-friendly finishing touches
Wrapping the lower vertical supports in sisal rope gives the cat a designated scratching surface and protects the timber from claws. Staple the rope tightly at the top and bottom, and add a dab of PVA glue at the base so it does not unravel with daily use. Carpet offcuts from a local flooring store work well for platform coverings, and many stores in Sydney and Brisbane give away remnants for free. Choose a colour that matches your existing furniture, because the tower will live in the room for years.
A small hammock or hideaway box near the top platform adds an extra resting spot, and cats often claim these within minutes of assembly. Just check that nothing hangs loosely where a cat could get tangled. A bell-free collar and stable perches keep the structure safe for older or more cautious cats who prefer gentle climbs over acrobatics.
Maintenance and long-term care
The structure needs the occasional once-over to stay safe. Tighten screws, replace any fraying sisal, and vacuum loose fur from the carpet platforms every couple of weeks. During bushfire season, when windows stay closed and air quality drops, keep the router well-ventilated and the cat tree away from heating vents. A quick check each season keeps both the electronics and the cat comfortable.
For more animal-focused projects and creature observations, twarini.com gathers plenty of notes on animals, anime, and the strange corners of internet life.