Let’s face it, if you are into designer cats, you are into designer cat furniture.

Bengals like to climb and be up high, as do most cats. Although the Bengal particularly so given their wild Asian Cat tree-dwelling heritage. The biggest challenge we faced was satisfying the needs of this desire without filling our house with ugly, expensive cat-tree monstrosities that detract from a modern home.

We live in a small apartment, however are lucky enough to be bestowed with high ceilings and stunning high windows in our lounge. Here is how we made the most of our small space for our kitty without detracting from the modern abidance of our home, for a fraction of what you may pay (less than $200) for the usual unattractive cat furniture on the mainstream market, courtesy of IKEA*:

Pic 1:

Pic 2:

*We just moved to a new house, and have reassembled the same cat-walk in a new-look room….

*product details provided at the end of this post.

Here are some other amazing cat walk designs from Japan. These were the inspiration of our own creation (also featured on moderncat.net)…

The first two awe-inspiring pictures are courtesy of Asahi Kasei’s Plus-Nyan house. They have tastefully incorporated these cat-friendly designs in a way that not only compliments but enhances this beautiful modern home:

This next series of pictures are from ‘The Cats’ House‘; They have taken cat-house design to a whole other level! In addition to the steps protruding from the wall, there are holes along the way leading to the next room.

The “cat hole” where the cats can enter and leave is a popular place, sometimes the cat steps will jam like this.

Cats can observe from this high place.

The ‘Cat’s eye’ view.

Relaxing, and enjoying the view.

The catwalk on the second floor of the cabin is made from beams placed in a zig-zag width of 20cm.

The zig-zag walk.

And here are some other cat-shelving designs you can pick up from The Refined Feline. Mind you 2 of these babies will set you back more than our entire IKEA ensemble cost us, but they do look cool (as do the beautiful marbled Bengals featured in the last 2 photos)…

A Taiwan company called ‘CatsWall Design’ has developed this ingenious and unique “Modular Cat Wall” below – which is like a cat playground, a combination of adjustable modular beds, scratch boards, ladders and shelves built on the walls designed for indoor cats to walk, run, climb, jump and scratch as well as to hide and sleep in:

This is my CatsWall Design favorite through… the cat running wheel! This is by far the nicest looking running wheel I have seen! While it is pictured on their site, there is are no specifications listed and from what I can tell from their Facebook page, they are working hard on the distribution. I can’t wait!

Check out the wheel in action…

Here are the product details of our own IKEA cat-sky walk…

Pic 1)

Cat Tunnel: ABO Gear Cat Fun Tunnel, purchased via Petco: $23.99 (as of 12/16/2011)

(as of 12/16/2011) Cat Scratcher: GoPetClub 28″ Cat Tree Toy Condo House Pet Scratcher Post Furniture, purchased via Amazon: $35.00 (as of 12/16/2011).

(as of 12/16/2011). Total: $58.99

Pic 2)

Cat climber wall: 2 x LACK Wall shelf unit, white (Article Number 401.637.78), Purchased via IKEA $49.99 ea (as of 12/16/2011)**

(as of 12/16/2011)** Long shelving: 2 x LACK Wall shelf, white (Article Number 000.110.13), Purchased via IKEA $29.99 ea (as of 12/16/2011)**

(as of 12/16/2011)** Short shelving: 4 x IKEA LACK Wall shelf, white (Article Number 501.036.18), Purchased via IKEA $6.99 (as of 12/16/2011)**

(as of 12/16/2011)** Total: $187.92

** To ensure safety of your cat and others in your home, when fixing the shelf to a stud wall, always make sure that the shelf is secured directly to a stud though at least one of the shelf’s three fixing points. As wall materials vary, screws for fixing to wall are not included. For advice on suitable screw systems, contact your local specialized dealer. (When securing to a stud, we used #8 x 2″ wood screws. When securing in plaster, we used Triple Grip 77lbs Cobra Heavy-duty Anchors (http://www.cobraanchors.com/).