Design: Apartment Therapy Litter Solution (Faux Leather Chest)
Price: Chest-$200, Littermaid Litter Box $80, Fan $10, Air Freshener $1.50
Name: Heather
Location: Boston, MA
Pet's Name: Lydia (buff) & Bean (white)
Pitch:
"Having recently purchased a small one room apartment in Boston’s South End, I wasn't happy having the litter box next to the toilet. I found this chest while window shopping around town. It was displayed in front of a couch with books piled high on top. Upon further examination, I noticed that it had an opening on the side and the clerk said it was supposed to be a dog house..." [more below]
I took measurements and found that it would easily fit the litter box with space to spare. The top flips open to provide access for cleaning and I have since added a small fan to circulate the air. The plugs for the fan and litter box easily reach through a vent into my utility closet. I have had a lot of comments on the chest with many being surprised to learn it houses the litter box.
As a bonus the chest also serves as a sort of home base when the cats are chasing each other down the hallway. When one of them jumps on top, the other will wait patiently on the floor till they jump down and the game continues.
Extra - What I would buy if I could buy anything: The Holden Pet Bunk from DWR
Those are some big cats! The trunk isn't really my style, but you have some good improv skills. I'm giving a gold star for the fellow Bostonian!
I love the expression on the orange kitty's face! And the intensity in patient waiting on the white one's!
Great solution, beautiful trunk.
Great that the litter box has an exhaust fan!
its a real, live popple!
Does stray litter stay in the trunk? I can't see how much space there is past the pan...
Heather,
Do you have issues with the Littermaid "banking" instead of scooping and dumping into the disposable containers at the base? I ask b/c I am subletting and taking care of two cats who came with what I have come to call "the crock o'sh!t". I keep the sensors clean and the unit rakes continually, but rarely deposits the waste into the receptacle. Very frustrating (and gross), and I haven't been able to find a solution. The manufacturer's site has been useless. I'm hoping that it's a user error - I've only used analog litter boxes when I had cats.
And Zurie, you're 100% right - Lydia DOES look like a real, live Popple!
Totally modern and convenient way to hide the box and its trappings. However, the star here is Lydia!
That is one rotund ginger bun! And I mean that in the best way possible....
Very cool!! Does it come in a 'Double-wide' for those redneck kitties who are earning lots of overtime??
Very stylish solution -- the trunk is a lot nicer to look at than a lot of the "litter box furniture" on the market. Would you mind sharing what small fan you used? Do you keep it on all the time? I'm working on a similar set up for my cats and would appreciate the advice.
Thanks for all your support!
Wellington-
The Littermaid does get stuck every once in a while if the cats manage to go in just the right spot. I have been able to eliminate part of that problem by experimenting with litter. I realized that some litters seem to clump up quicker and firmer and those tend to work best with the raking system. However, the raking system is not perfect, as a matter of fact I have been eyeing the Litter-Robot recently cited on AT and wondering how that works. My only hesitation is that my “big-boned” cats will not be able to enter or exit the globe.
Lucy-
I am not sure of the brand of fan it is (it might be Littermaid also??). I picked it up at Target, in the pet section. Just the little bit of circulation really improved the box. I keep the fan on all night as it isnÂ’t really noisy, but I have the litter box hooked up to a timer so it only rakes when I am awake. I hated hearing the litter box motor and raking at 2AM.
That pic of your cats is priceless - frameable. The thoughts going on in each of their little noggins and the nonverbal communication between them is perfectly captured. Bean: I'm going to jump on Lydia the moment she leaves that spot. In fact, I might grab that spot when she jumps down. Lydia: I'm too sexy for my fur, too sexy for my...Bean, what Bean?
Thanks so much for the info, Heather. I'm going to head to Target this weekend.
Great solution for hiding the litter box! Really cute cats too!
I love your tubby tabbies! So cute!