Last Updated on February 11, 2019 by Kristi Linauer
Hello! I hope your Monday is off to a great start! I had the craziest, busiest week last week, and even had to work this weekend, but I was DETERMINED to get my pet station finished. So I worked on it late into the night last night, and I’m pleased to say, IT…IS…FINISHED!!
So let me refresh your memory. It all started when I saw this picture on someone’s blog (and for the life of me, I can’t remember where I saw it. Perhaps you know??)
Since my tiny little condo is only 834 square feet (I told you it was tiny!), I decided that something like this would be perfect! My next thought was wondering where I was going to put it. Then I realized I could throw out this old desk that my neighbor had given me, and make room for a new pet station.
Then it dawned on me. I could USE this old desk, and turn it INTO my pet station! (Yes, it takes me a while to get there sometimes, but I eventually get there.) š So I set to work on my plans.
As I set about transforming the old desk, the plans were modified a bit, but it’s still pretty similar to what I had orginally envisioned. So are you ready to see the final product? Here it is:
I love it! And so do the girls. During the last week, even before the cushion was finished, I think I could count on one hand the number of times I saw them OFF of the cat bed.
It’s so rewarding to have a plan, spend time making something, and then see that it’s ACTUALLY being used for its intended purpose!! Now as much as I’d love to convince myself that Boo loves it too, I really don’t think he cares. As long as he has access to his food and water, he’s a happy boy.
Here’s another quick before and after side-by-side view:
Click here to get the full DIY instructions for making this pet station.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I hope you’ll join me on my DIY and decorating journey! If you want to follow my projects and progress, you can subscribe below and have each new post delivered to your email inbox. That way you’ll never miss a thing!
56 Comments
pk
November 16, 2009 at 9:38 pmOh my gosh! It turned out SO cute, and you did such a great job! It seriously does not even remotely look like a DIY. I don't have a pet, but now I want to get one just so I can make it. š I had actually posted that BHG photo in a kitchen post I did a while back but I don't know if that's where you saw it or not. Hope you're having a good day!
pk @ Room Remix
Scientific Housewife
November 16, 2009 at 9:50 pmAww, it looks so great and they love it already! Such a transformation, I give you major props for attempting this! Great job š
Robin's Nesting Place
November 17, 2009 at 12:07 amThat is the cutest thing ever! I absolutely love it! Your cats are adorable too!
Glenda/MidSouth
November 17, 2009 at 12:57 amWhat a great idea ! You did good. Adorable kitties.
Phyllis AROUND THE HOUSE
November 17, 2009 at 1:00 amwow that is the most creative thing I have seen, it is just so cute, I just love love it
Maureen
November 17, 2009 at 1:58 amVery creative!
FabulousTerrah
November 17, 2009 at 3:28 amI'm truly impressed! You had a vision and followed through to a BEAUTIFUL outcome. Inspiring. š
Grams
November 17, 2009 at 3:37 amNow THAT'S a metamorphasis!! I'm just sayin':)
vail
Shantastic
November 17, 2009 at 1:26 pmShannon with a late update on floors/wall color…http://theshantasticyearofchange.blogspot.com/
mary'smom
November 17, 2009 at 4:51 pmI so want to copy this for a gift for my brother's cats. He would love it.
jmberrygirl
November 17, 2009 at 4:58 pmThat was amazing. I've got nothing. I feel like such a slacker now… Dang.
Rachel
November 17, 2009 at 5:47 pmLOVE Love love it!!!!
[email protected] Rachel
Delightful Dwelling
November 17, 2009 at 7:15 pmWow I love it, it looks amazing! I've been trying to come up with something similar except larger to hide the litter box.
Susan
November 18, 2009 at 5:33 amThat is brilliant!
Jenn @ Livin' the Simple Life
November 18, 2009 at 1:09 pmThat is absolutely adorable! And even more rewarding that the kitties like it! š
REbekah
November 18, 2009 at 1:38 pmSeriously!!!! This is AWESOME!!! I love the color and the your fur babies look like they love that soft cushion!! This is wonderful!! pat your self on the back for this one!! I love it!!!
Miss Mustard Seed
November 18, 2009 at 3:31 pmThat is the nicest cat bed I have ever seen! And it's awesome that your cats like it. I've always had cats and I know there was a chance that you would do all of this work and then they wouldn't use it! You should share this at the Furniture Feature Friday link party this week. Such awesome piece!
Cynthia @An Accomplished Woman
November 18, 2009 at 4:19 pmOh how cute. I love it… we need that with dogs and cats.
santamaker
November 18, 2009 at 6:59 pmThis is adorable. Great job!
Miss Mustard Seed
November 19, 2009 at 12:51 amI just loved this so much, it's my choice to feature this Friday on my FFF link party. It will all be linked back to your blog. Hope you don't mind! Great job!
Dawn-Hydrangea Home
November 19, 2009 at 2:56 amThat's amazing! I saw that pet station somewhere too! Great idea.
down pillow
November 19, 2009 at 6:10 amOohhh, I LOVE it – great job!!! Your kitties look like they love it, too š
Nic and Dave Semanchik
November 19, 2009 at 9:07 pmHow incredibly creative!!! Amazing job!
MelanyTN
November 20, 2009 at 12:48 amThat is seriously the coolest thing I've seen in a long time.
Shannon
November 20, 2009 at 5:06 amNow this is something new! I bet your cats are in heaven! Love it!
Stephanie Lynn
November 20, 2009 at 6:37 amAdorable! That looks like a custom piece! I just wish I had smaller pets to make this for! I have a Great Dane and Ridgeback…I'd have to use a couple of hutches! Great project you did a fantastic job!
Mimi
November 21, 2009 at 4:06 pmI ā„ your pet station. What a great idea…a bed and breakfast all in one!
Carmen @ The Decorating Diva.com
November 22, 2009 at 4:16 amI LOVE IT! How very creative. Looks like your cats really like it š BTW my older cat looks a lot like your white cat. Is yours a Flame point Siamese mix?
Staci K.
November 22, 2009 at 4:39 amThat is fantastic!! I'm keeping my eyes open for something I can use to do something similar for my bunny. You have given me some great ideas!
Anonymous
November 22, 2009 at 4:42 amVery nice! I like yours better than the one in your inspiration pic! Great job!
Karen Anne
November 26, 2009 at 1:20 pmReally really nice.
Any chance of step by step photos and directions? Looks like you added beadboard, etc?
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
November 26, 2009 at 3:25 pmHi Karen Anne~
Yes, I took pictures of the steps I took, and will add a tutorial as soon as I have a chance. This time of year is so incredibly busy for me, finishing up projects for clients before the holidays, but as soon as I have some down time, I'll get the tutorial uploaded. Thanks so much for stopping by!
The DIY Show Off
December 2, 2009 at 2:02 amAWESOME! You did a fantastic job! I love it!
Roeshel
Mermaid Treasures
December 29, 2009 at 10:51 pmVERY COOL! Love it!
Chrissy
January 2, 2010 at 3:42 amWOW!! This is the first time visiting your site (a friend sent me a link), and I don't normally post on blogs, but I had to comment on this. This is amazing! It's beautiful! I love the colors and the fact that you did this your self is just awesome – you would never know. I have 2 cats, and I'd love to be able to do something like this for them!
Shanty 2 Chic
January 29, 2010 at 1:30 amAwesome! What a cute way to feed your cats!!!!
Anonymous
July 13, 2010 at 5:58 pmlooks great! where did you find a cushion that was the exact size?? or did you make it?
-lauren
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
July 13, 2010 at 7:37 pmThanks, Lauren! I actually made the cushion myself. It was a pretty odd size, so I didn't even try to find a ready-made one.
Michelle DeShon
July 27, 2010 at 9:18 pmI saw this months ago and loved it. But at the time, I had no room for such a thing. Now I am just unpacking in my new home (that is still in the re-model process) and I think I could make use of something similar. Spent two days trying to find it! Thanks for the ideas! I would love to see other people's version of this as well if there are links?
[email protected]
augrae
September 9, 2010 at 7:54 pmWow! It is very cute! Taking care of your pets is the best way to show how much you love them. If you expect to keep your cats as happy and healthy as possible, taking care of their basic bedding needs also is crucial. My three kitties love to cuddle and roll in the heated cat bed I just bought online. I want to share with you this link I just discovered in the web that can really help you in choosing the best and affordable heated cat bed for your cats. I found this very useful. Better check this out! http://heatedcatbed.everniche.com/
Mick for Dog Exercise Pen
September 23, 2010 at 7:40 amhello kristi,
this looks like an awesome project. may i ask where the litter box for your cat is located?
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
September 23, 2010 at 1:00 pmMick, right now it is located in the corner of the guest bedroom/office. However, it will eventually be located in a cabinet that I'm installing in the hall closet, which I'm converting into a "utility room" of sorts.
keepsake urns
October 14, 2010 at 8:03 amThe pet station that you designed is very awesome.. I like the color that you used and the idea of recycling the drawer. By doing that pet station we can save a good amount of money instead of buying a new one.
dog exercise pen
February 18, 2011 at 3:45 pmWhat a great idea and it really looks professional. I had another thought that it could also work if you had dogs as well because they could use the bottom for their food and drink whilst the cat can eat and drink and sleep without being harassed by the dog. The poor dog however would have to sleep somewhere else unless he was very agile š Great job though….
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
February 18, 2011 at 4:21 pmThat's precisely why I made this the way I did. I have a big 70-pound dog who used to enjoy eating the cats' food. Now he can't reach it! His food bowl is on the bottom, and they all share the water bowl on the bottom.
dog exercise pen
April 10, 2011 at 8:54 pmWhat a great idea and it really looks professional. I had another thought that it could also work if you had dogs as well because they could use the bottom for their food and drink whilst the cat can eat and drink and sleep without being harassed by the dog. The poor dog however would have to sleep somewhere else unless he was very agile š Great job though….
augrae
April 10, 2011 at 8:54 pmWow! It is very cute! Taking care of your pets is the best way to show how much you love them. If you expect to keep your cats as happy and healthy as possible, taking care of their basic bedding needs also is crucial. My three kitties love to cuddle and roll in the heated cat bed I just bought online. I want to share with you this link I just discovered in the web that can really help you in choosing the best and affordable heated cat bed for your cats. I found this very useful. Better check this out! http://heatedcatbed.everniche.com/
Nic and Dave Semanchik
April 10, 2011 at 8:54 pmHow incredibly creative!!! Amazing job!
Cynthia @An Accomplished Woman
April 10, 2011 at 8:54 pmOh how cute. I love it… we need that with dogs and cats.
BreAnne
May 25, 2012 at 8:41 pmDid you make the actual bed yourself or where could I find one to fit what I need?
Kristi Linauer
May 25, 2012 at 8:57 pmBreAnne, I made it myself. š And unfortunately, I don’t have a tutorial for it.
Secretary Desk Into Pet Station « DIY Cozy Home
July 8, 2013 at 7:32 pm[…] Addicted 2 Decorating – Completed Pet Station […]
Shaunna
August 15, 2013 at 11:56 pmKristi,
I realize that this is a few years old but I am seeing it for the first time. Absolutely amazing. Have you since created anything else for kitties say scratching post type or a cover for Litter box for those of us that have smaller living quarters. Would love to see more for cats and or small dogs.
Dawn
August 17, 2013 at 9:58 amSo far I don’t see any instructions on here. That’s what it said to follow the link for.
Kristi Linauer
August 17, 2013 at 12:05 pmI have no idea what the “it” is that you’re referring to, but the instructions are here: https://www.addicted2decorating.com/d-i-y-project-vintage-secretary-desk-turned-pet-station.html
Secretary Desk Into Pet Station
January 11, 2014 at 10:23 am[…] Addicted 2 Decorating ā Completed Pet Station […]