DIY CAT SHELVES !

[@Mama.mariaAngelique]

I love your self pep talk 😂 “I’m so good at this!”

[@beckytobey2984]

Great job. I refurbished my entire house, what a job! But I did it. Learned to use power equipment, measure and repair. Glue became a best friend. You should be proud of yourself, Great job!

[@emiliereigne]

I bet your home looks amazing now! I'd love to tackle such a project one day, houses are so expensive though I wonder when I'll have enough funds for a downpayment!

[@ZaDussault]

Also, I feel like the top one lets a space that is a bit too narrow between the shelf and the furniture piece wall. I would make a concave space on that side so that she gets a good view of it if she wants to jump up and enough space if she wants to jump down.

[@DragonsGaura]

I was thinking the same

[@bmiles4131]

Yes, or switch the top and 2nd shelf. Top is bigger than second, so she’s having to drop, twist and kind of aim under.

[@lingolift5917]

I'm really glad you showed the whole process. I'm building a cat jungle for my sister's cats, and seeing what not to do is just as valuable as seeing what works. Great video!

[@cohen860]

Good job. Everyone should know about screws with anchors, which you used! I was a shop teacher. Woodworking is very cool!

[@leecarlson9713]

I am a 79 year old woman, who is slowly accumulating power tools. I recently had to get 20V batteries for my recip saw, and DeWalt had a special sale-buy 2 barreries, and get a tool free, so I chose a circular saw. I also have a jigsaw, and other corded and battery powered tools. I just wish I had known how much I love creating things out of wood, because my dad and his father were woodworkers, and Daddy would have loved to have someone to pass his skills and knowledge onto. I still have the desk my dad made in high school shop class, made in 1922 or ‘23. Has the original finish, but the key to lock it is gone. I am thinking of taking the drawer to a locksmith, and see if he might have a key to fit. It is my prized possession!

[@cohen860]

Happy to hear all this! @@leecarlson9713

[@Zoey24]

I really appreciate all the effort you put into these projects, even the failures were a really good case of ‘lesson learned’. Your end result looks super professional and matches very comfortably with the rest of the room.

[@emiliereigne]

Thank you so much, this comment warms my soul on this rainy day ❤️

[@caravanrose]

Well said. I appreciate her leaving the "fails" in as well!

[@Carora0305]

I never thought of making the templates with cardboard 🤯 that makes it so much easier to plan. Thank you

[@brianahrens4637]

That is one of the most entertaining KZbin videos I've ever seen. You should be proud of yourself. You're absolutely adorable

[@jasperandre7399]

I have to give you an "E" for effort!! There isn't anything we won't for our pets!! Even though you weren't experienced you hung in there! You were determined to get it right, no matter how many times you had to do it!! You don't know me, but I am proud of you!

[@emiliereigne]

Your comment gave me whiplash hahahaha I'm back at school, and E is a failing grade! But I kept reading and I'm glad I did, your comment warms my heart ❤️ so thank you!!!

[@jasperandre7399]

@@emiliereigne

[@jasperandre7399]

@@emiliereigne You're welcome. Have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

[@fleurdelune5240]

I know this is an old video but its still interesting to see the final product and hear about the later modifications in the comments. It was fun to see your cats opinion of the build and how she used it. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@emiliereigne]

I'm so glad you took the time to read the comments! I was beginning to wonder if they showed up 😂 thanks for the nice comment too! Much appreciated 🙏♥️

[@Confidentk9sCa]

Final top shelf she strongly hesitated coming down from so was probably a bit too difficult to want to try again. Awesome job! ❤

[@joymiller2368]

We learn by trial & error so GREAT job. You’ve given me ideas. Thanks

[@KayceeBrown850]

You're so awesome! The courage you exhibited for your lil cat as well as yourself is heart touching and watching your determination grow after each attempt is inspiritational, thank you. I can't thank you enough for this video as it served several purposes; do's & don't, much needed take aways such as using templates first (many times I've turned good pieces of wood into nice scrap piles😕) and absolutely the cuteness overload of your cat learning & familiarizing itself right along with you🤗 so sweet. 👏Great job working that drill and Grandma's jig saw. My biggest hindrance is a saw, of any kind, I've limited my capabilities & let my creativity suffer due to not getting out of my comfort zone. But watching you gives me motivation so thanks for the encouraging, heart felt video. Oh a big shout out to your grandma not just for passing down her power tools but actually owning one, helping pioneer young ladies into self sufficient carpenters and taking really good care of her tools! Thanks Grandma🙏🧡 and thank you and your lil cat for the video. God bless

[@GuyBelievesInWorldPeace]

Don’t shame yourself for doing anything wrong honestly I have a friend who just got into Catfication, I don’t have a cat but I still am interested in doing some enrichment for my pet animals, newbies who’re up for fun and having new skill learning experiences! Your experience is relatable!

[@khwezik3894]

I think that space between the cabinet and the third shelf could use a scratch post too as i think the gap may just be too big hence your cat doesn't was to go past the bottom few. But wow, well done you!! Trying to get inspiration for my cats as i am moving to a one level, smaller place so my cats will be losing a lot of roaming room that i want to create on the wall. This has been so helpful (never would've thought to use cardboard for templates you know)

[@rsoubiea]

Who knows what your next project will be now that you have all these bad assed wood working skills? The sky’s the limit. Good job.

[@emiliereigne]

I convinced my boyfriend (who's never used power tools before) we could build a dining room table together! We're working on it as we speak, but he's camera shy, so I won't get to show off all the process of building the table haha

[@intrepidolivia482]

Appreciate so so so much that you show things that didn't work in addition to things that did. Really learned a lot from this video, thank you!!

[@emiliereigne]

Aww thank you! I tried to be as honest as possible, I knew some people's wouldn't watch the whole thing, but I didn't want to pretend I got it all in the first try to make a "short" video, these kinds of projects are not easy and I like to think that the process is half the fun!

[@edwardwalshie5350]

Thank's for the inspiration ! really helpful to see the trial and error and posative work ethic while I'm designing. something similar

[@danniefrenchpea63]

Hi Emilie, you did a great job and even if you had two "fails", it was great to see your positive spirit and determination to find the right shelving for your beautiful puss 💖 We have recently got a little kitten who is *very* active and needs a climbing system so this is all great information and very motivating 😁Thank you so much for taking the time to share your project 🙏🤗

[@seresamgala8125]

Emilie, your cat is a real trooper willing to try new things. What a beautiful friendship you have, and congrats on the working project.

[@morticiaheisenberg9679]

Even the failures were you doing this for your baby to have a better space. Excellent cat mom for sure!! But I am glad it eventually worked out for you two. ❤

[@dianahopkins7994]

I would love to have you as my little sister! You don't realize how fabulous it is (and you are) for thinking up something and then doing it and modifying it until you were happy with the result. I really don't know any other way to build confidence and new skills. People don't like to admit it, but everybody has a first day. You cannot escape those feelings or the occasion. I wish good things for you ...which are even now on their way to you.

[@emiliereigne]

Aww this is so sweet, thank you!!!! I also felt it was important to show all the stages of the building process, because it shows the reality of what I had to go though!

[@enforcerlucario932]

Such a nice design of a DIY :D

[@Torsanist]

I loved to watch your prosess! I watch a lot of DIY cat tree/furniture building videos and it's often made by people who have a woodworking station in their garage packed with power tools, its quite intimidating tbh. Its lovely to see that you don't need a lot of experience or fancy tools to make a beautiful result, one day I may try it myself.

[@not_today_satan_7]

I'm getting ready to make the same type of shelves for my cat. Thank you for posting and allowing me to learn from your pre success attempts and your success story. Great video

[@stefaniegodfrey6155]

Your darling! Keep up the journey of learning! Thanks for sharing every raw moments

[@bambinaforever1402]

What a nice girl and so cute she and her cat. Nice projects and reminded us about an adverb. I knew it but never used. Thanks for reminding. 👍

[@texasbella576]

your little cat is sooo adorable!! Your kitty is lucky to have such a great mommy!!

[@AviusL]

Sticking your cat on the wall like she's a fridge magnet was very funny xD Your cat is adorable and I hope she's doing well. Very cute clips of the little floof.

[@emiliereigne]

Comparing my cat to a fridge magnet is the funniest thing you could have said, thank you for that comment 😂❤

[@dancingwithgravity]

I'm so proud of you for going out of your comfort zone and following through to success. The first two attempts were necessary learning lessons. Well done 👏👏

[@Orientalbackyardgarden]

So helpful to show what don't work, thank you❤❤

[@xoxjunemariexox3104]

Well done!! She's super cute! She is even more confident to climb even higher to go to the next shelf now. Well done cutie, we are all proud of you, even your mommy. I use treats too and even a wand to make them want to climb. Cats are curious to a T but you are right, if they dont feel comfortable, its not too to force them. I always try to encourage mine and get excited when they do accomplish something but there are times, when my cat doesnt feel comfortable & I try and try to tell them they can do it but they sometimes dont realize I see their protential. I've bought a few cat houses on Amazon that say, they are for large cats but are clearly not bc my chubby cat cant move around so now I got one were he somewhat feels comfortable when I have the older other post by it. I'm sure once he loses weight he will move around smoothly. I love that even though you don't have those carpender huge machines, you can still make anything work with the tools you do have. You make people get excited for wanting to create something. I've always in my 20s if I had my own house, I would make a cat room for them with fake trees, have waterfalls, paint a outdoor theme, have koi fish into the floor, tunnels going outside and throughout the walls etc Right now I'm in the process of painting my walls green, making my living room like an outdoors thats tranquil with water falls, ferns etc making them feel like they are outside. Even though my place is a loft without a bedroom door and only one bedroom and since I dont own my place, even though its their place as its mine. I still want to make it there a place more inviting more then what I had it before. Thanks for your video! I enjoyed watching the transformation & watching someone get so creative. Even when projects jailed, you didn't give up, & thats great! I love that you weren't too hard on yourself. When we make mistakes, we learn, we grow, which helps us to do even better then before. The most important thing that stands out is having a great positive attitude, which you have & I love it, Because your cat can feel those positive vibes & when we have a positive attitude, anything is possible. Like the saying, Happy wife, Happy life, I guess we can imply the same about a cat lol Happy kitty cat, happy life.

[@angelicab121]

“I’m so good at this” was the moment I was ❤❤❤❤. Thank yoUuu for being such a great cat mom

[@emiliereigne]

I was very proud of getting over my fear of cutting wood with power tools haha!

[@psykco]

I was planning to experiment for my cats, and now I don't have to, cuz you did. 😘

[@GuyBelievesInWorldPeace]

But still go experiment with your cats! How fun!

[@dM_gH]

Wow! I learned a whole lot watching you work through this special project for your sweetie. Thank you!

[@livelaughlove0209]

So happy I saw this video. I kind of had to adopt 3 cats suddenly against my will. I need to catify my apartment so I gained a lot of info from this video! Thank you!

[@bambinaforever1402]

Who adopts cats against their will? They are a blessing. How can people live without cats is beyond me

[@conniewojahn6445]

Thank you for adopting! Marie, your efforts will be abundantly rewarded. You may soon find yourself wondering why you ever doubted adoption. Many happy hours, the four of you!

[@annettereigneau59]

The final product is nicely done. Good job 👍🙂. The third time is a charme 😉.

[@melissahmielewski6999]

You did a great job! Thank you for sharing such a fun and honest video. I have been contemplating creating a shelf or small catwalk situation for my 2 cats, recently. Your video has given me the motivation (and tips) I need! Thanks for letting us learn from your process and bringing us along for your journey! ☺

[@Midnight0Mistress]

I have that saw and block but I've never used it and I never thought about using it for this project. Thank you so much!

[@SurreyHouseDIY]

What a great job! Well done 👍🏻

[@Hadassah-KaquoliMReno]

I love seeing how much you love your cat! I’ve had cats for years but now I have a small dog. We love our fur babies! ♥️

[@kalindakelly3417]

I heard that cats have a hard time coming down like that, griping the sisal because of the shape of their claws. That’s why cats like to jump down or slide down backwards. Your cat will need shelves for coming back down. I see you did that after watching till the end. Great job!

[@emiliereigne]

thank you for mentioning that you watched until the end! I've had a few comments who mentionned the shape of cats claws, and Im thinking they didnt watch the whole video haha

[@Arwen41]

It functioned quite well in the end. And it seems to me that the scratch pole might pretty well work out too when it ends about at least a hand with above the upper shelf. It's easier for cats to get into their turn when they can claw into something above their head when they're about to climb down. After all she seemed to enjoy climbing it very much!

[@Aundiee]

Painting the shelves the same color of the walls would make it seem seem less! You inspired me!! I love how you did this and showed the process!! Good job!!

[@mimdr7]

You are an absolute adorable girl! I could adopt you! You did an awesome job. We have 2 cats and my husband did a cat ramp around the top on the patio and only one uses it…but your project has given me ideas for him…lol….you did a great job on the video too. One idea….to entice the cat…from a piece of your rope….hang a ball she can bat at and encourage her to climb? One of ours is a ‘tree dweller’ the other a ‘ground bush’ cat…so yours maybe likes the ground more? But I so enjoyed all you did!! Great job!!

[@9catlover]

really love this and that you showed your failures too. Such a cute cat. I am going to make storage shelves and want to make them cat friendly so this will help me a lot too...so much to think about...width, climbing up and down...and I need to make some stairs for my older 15 year old cat who likes to sleep in higher places. The card board tracing was very clever

[@emiliereigne]

I hope your project goes more smoothly than mine did hihihi

[@vanessamadrigal633]

I absolutely loved watching your process. I want to build something fun for my kitty but have no clue where to start or what I’m even thinking of doing 😅 lol but this was very informative and helpful. You’re a natural!

[@gaylerickard6896]

I loved watching your video! Thanks for sharing your "fails". I can see me attempting this and messing up so many times as well. I'm certainly not very handy. Your cat is adorable trying to get down. I've learned that as cat's claws are curled downwards, they can climb upwards, but have great difficulty climbing downwards, as their claws are of no use. That's why cats get stuck in trees. Anyway, great video, Thanks.

[@masoncote9783]

Good job! It looks neat and functions well. The reward of her using it makes the work all the more worth it. I’m thinking of making a cat wall and really like the wrapped wood ladder you made. I’ve been watching videos of DIY cat walls throughout the day and found one with a platform on top of the wrapped wood with a big hole for the kitties to climb up and through. Seeing this process has encouraged me to just get to crafting! Thank you!

[@carolguthrie4143]

I love that you have your gramma's jig saw 😍 You have skills!

[@annoyingbananana]

thanks for showing the progress! i really enjoyed watching it. in four weeks 2 little kittens are moving into our home and i already have some ideas what to build them when they are old enough to climb on things :)

[@analogdriver]

Oh and this really motivates me to now finally mount those shelves I got laying around for over a year.😿

[@TEWAdventures]

You did great especially by not giving up. I'm searching for ideas I have 2 main-coon mixs and they need something to explore on. So thanks for posting this.

[@emiliereigne]

Aww thanks for the positive comment! Hope your fur babies enjoy their shelves! Mine loves hers :)

[@anacalvente836]

What a beautiful project! I'm not a fan of heavy duty, but watching you accomplishing this has changed my mind somehow. Beginning to love this furniture DIY!

Congratulations!!! You learned by yourself. Also your Cat got the best of you. Thanks for sharing.

[@nme_mma]

Bravo! 👌 i loved this video following your journey.

[@amandamoon777]

I love the process !

[@nena2281]

One day in your future you will be a super mom! Your kids and husband will be coming to you all the time to build this or fix that. You will be an expert at assembling cribs, training wheels, tree houses ect. Good job on your cat shelves.

[@stefaniegodfrey6155]

Proud of you!! Keep making more. She will be so happy with you mommy

[@marcosmagic1983]

Great vid 👏 The completed project looks brilliant definitely inspired now to do something for my 🐈‍⬛

[@emiliereigne]

Yay! Goodluck!!! 🐱

[@SorvEas]

The final result is awesome! Congrats! And thank you for sharing! Love it!

[@77lases]

Good for you! So impressed with your efforts. You're such a wonderful cat mom 🤗💗

[@josephswann5192]

Awesome video! You are inspiring just teaching yourself how to use those tools! Your final design looks and works great!

[@thetexadelphian5105]

I love this video! Thank you very much for proving to me, that even though I live in an apartment-style condo, that I can cut wood shelves, myself. For some reason I thought I would need more space and more tools, but your setup would be perfect for me. I love your willingness to make mistakes and try again. I am going to harness some of your ingenuity for my kitty world. Your kitty's attempts to come down the posts are so smart and cute! Very smart and diligent kitty. She is adorable!!

[@emiliereigne]

This comment warms my heart 💖 thank you so much for all the kind words!!!

[@robertweissman5911]

I appreciate your dedication and initiative. Another approach I've seen used, is to install one vertical post and attach "paddle" steps on alternating sides, interspersed at different heights; kind of reminds me of an alternating or spiral staircase, almost. That would allow great maneuverability for your cat, unobstructed by the steps themselves, and allow you to cut out less pieces of wood and make less screw holes in the wall. I think the fact you are making this system of steps near a corner also makes this approach worth considering.

[@janonprice232]

So cool 😊 thank you for sharing

[@jcepri]

Love your enthusiasm. Lucky cat!

[@alfilkemper9240]

What a great video!

[@gemmacartwright7646]

Thank you for sharing this. The great results and the changes to get there.

[@beckytobey2984]

Hahaha, really funny kitty trying to get down

[@emmmoo8631]

very good use of part of wall and look nice too........

[@deafosho]

you did such a great job on these!!

[@beckya040301]

Awesome!!! So inspiring

[@cathyramirez3370]

Super nice 👍🏼

[@СветланаМаксимова-ь8э]

Looks awesome! Good job)

[@elisebrown5157]

Looks good! I'll be interested to know how the carpet holds up over the years - do the edges fray, or does it stay looking good? A couple of suggestions would be to drive some screws through the platform onto the horizontal wall brace for extra stability. (I believe you just used glue). You could also screw some small hooks onto the bottom and use those to attach hanging from strings. By changing those up, you can also give her more mental stimulation and things to play with.

[@thetexadelphian5105]

She used screws too.

[@shell88ish]

Nice work...very inspiring...Thank You for posting!

[@rtaskyy]

Wow great job! Love that you did it all pretty much with a jigsaw and in your apartment. Planning to do a similar thing for my two cats in my new place. Shelves on etsy are so expensive.

[@emiliereigne]

Thanks!!! I agree, Etsy is inspiring, but if you have the ability to DIY I say go for it!!!

[@siliconpenguin]

I think you got an A+ grade, and a gold star, just for your tenacity!

[@czechoslovakianwolfdog]

Jura the wolfdog has a brother and sister cat that needs shelves made, so thank you for this.

[@Alexander-zr6vf]

Very informative video. Awesome 👏

[@teresa_wiggins_gallery]

You've inspired me! I have everything I need except for the carpeting.

[@emiliereigne]

The carpeting was the hardest part to find for me! I luckily met someone who knew someone in the carpet world hahaha

[@yluo824]

Great video and awesome idea! Just thinking of making the similar cat shelves for my cats. Very impressive!

[@emiliereigne]

Do it! Mine have been up for a few weeks now and I love them!!! My cat is also very happy with them hihi

[@heartlesslove100]

Great video, thanks for sharing! In the end I think you did a great job. I think the issue with the second attempt is that there are too many shelves too close together. Cats are very agile but they need space to get their bearings. I think that is also why your kitty doesnt go to the top, being right agaisnt that built in hutch closes in the space, maybe using a deeper shelf would make her more comfortable? Sometimes cats just take time to adjust but she seems happy with it!

[@uni-with-anna]

Love the video and the humor:) Thank you!

[@geminiinnc]

Great job, thanks for the ideas!

[@Starlightandcrystals]

Hi. I have a small 1 room apt. In my room I have an Ikea closet with free space on top. So what I found out was that my cat could jump from the edge of my cosy chair and up on the closet. He loves laying there, keeping an eye on things. Hanging half over the side. It gives me an oppurtunity to play with him.

[@emiliereigne]

That's a very energetic cat! Mine is getting too old for such acrobatics hahaha

[@jerryhinds6009]

Good job! 👍

[@sandykiester3472]

Well you showed me what not to do! Saving me some $ and lots of time. It looks great!

[@sandybrown7005]

You did amazing!!! Great video.

[@reginaali7349]

Well, I am thinking, good on you for trying all those tools out and overcoming the fear of using some of them.

[@emiliereigne]

You're too sweet, thank you! ❤️

[@makennamarshall5558]

I loved some of the fails! What I would say to people with young and healthy cats is to leave up structures your cat may be "bad" a climbing for a week or two... they learn quickly and the problem solving process is excellent stimulation

[@emiliereigne]

Agreed! My cat initially only climbed the first shelf, but now she climbs all the way to the top and she LOVES it!

[@JCAM-z9r]

Great job!

[@bobrogue]

Thank you for this video. It'll save me from so many pitfalls catifying our place.

[@Entertaiment4]

thanks for sharing... I love to try it for my two cats... greetings from Chicago.

[@emiliereigne]

greetings from Quebec city!

[@CarmenRodriguez-wt1xu]

Nice job I love it 😻😻 maybe next time shelves little wider for big chunky cats and the space to go up or down more closer not too high, put cat nip on those steps ull see how she will fly ups stairs and she will love it cat nip is the best

[@doraji2061]

That's great. I love what you did.

[@emiliereigne]

Thank you! 🥰

[@doraji2061]

@@emiliereigne I want to make one, too. Is the installation secure?

[@emiliereigne]

@@doraji2061 it has been, at least up to now!!! If you want to see updates you can send me a message on Instagram :) I'll send you pictures from today - only the carpet has been well loved, my cat likes to play with the edges 😅

[@juliabaker3509]

You go, girl!

[@analogdriver]

Really good video! Top! Also showing the fails. Mode: V3, top two shelves look too close together to me. Not a lot of room to jump. Cut out a bit of the to shelf? Glue it back on the left side? To maintain area.

[@Maksuka1010]

1) Хорошо когда руки из правильного места растут. 2) Для того что бы мой кот куда то залез, его не надо заманивать едой. Достаточно запрещать ему лазить туда😂