Catio Ideas & Accessories: A Look Inside Our Custom Catio Build in Portland, Oregon
- The Catio Company
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Designing a custom catio for seven cats of different ages, personalities, and activity levels is always a fun challenge, and that’s exactly what inspired the layout for this large outdoor cat enclosure in Portland, Oregon.
This 8x12 custom catio was built specifically for seven indoor cats who need a safe and enriching way to explore the outdoors. We focused on choosing durable, weather-resistant materials and adding the right catio accessories to support a multi-cat household.
Our goal was to create a large outdoor cat enclosure filled with thoughtfully planned kitty playground, multi-level climbing routes, cozy hiding boxes, and plenty of vertical play opportunities. Every part of the design was meant to support natural feline behavior: climbing, scratching, jumping, hiding, playing, and resting, while keeping the space functional and beautiful year-round.
In this blog, we’ll show you the inside of the catio and walk you through every accessory we added, from perches and suspended bridges to hammocks, hiding boxes, and other outdoor cat enclosure accessories that help indoor cats stay stimulated, active, and happy.
Whether you’re building your first catio or upgrading a large outdoor cat enclosure for indoor cats, these ideas will help you create a safe, enriching, and stylish space your cats will love in every season.
This catio was built with all-cedar lumber, stained in TimberProUV Mahogany, which gives it a warm, natural look while offering long-lasting protection against the Pacific Northwest’s rainy climate. The structure measures 8 feet deep by 12 feet long, making it a spacious option for multi-cat households needing room for enrichment accessories, climbing routes, and lounging platforms.
Materials Used:
Shaded polycarbonate roofing panels for rain and sun protection
14 Gauge Black Vinyl Coated Welded Wire Mesh 1” x 1” for safety and visibility
Exterior-grade outdoor carpet for shelves and perches
Promanila synthetic rope for scratchers
This catio also includes a custom human-sized access door, a through-the-wall pet door, and plenty of space for elevated shelves.
If you want deeper details on lumber sizes, you can check out our reel, where we explain every board we used for this build.
Why Accessories Matter in Every Catio
Accessories are what transform a basic enclosure into a true enrichment space. Cats are natural climbers, scratchers, jumpers, and observers, and without the right features, even a large outdoor enclosure can feel under-stimulating.
The Right Catio Accessories Can:
Reduce indoor destruction
Prevent boredom and frustration
Reduce fighting in multi-cat households
Encourage exercise and prevent obesity
Boost confidence in shy or older cats
Support natural scratching & climbing instincts
Provide safe, weather-proof hiding and resting spots
Because this catio was designed for seven cats, accessories were essential. Every shelf, box, bridge, and hammock was intentionally added to support healthy feline behavior and give each cat enough vertical territory to feel safe.
Accessories Included in This Catio
Catio Shelves and Ramps
Shelves and Ramps are installed throughout the enclosure to create multiple climbing routes and lounging areas for the cats. Each shelf is covered with durable outdoor carpet, giving cats a soft, non-slip landing for jumping, climbing, and resting.
We highly recommend using outdoor carpet on all catio shelves because it provides great grip for safe climbing, adds comfort, and gives cats a cozy place to stretch out and relax. Since we use synthetic, exterior-grade outdoor carpet, it’s also extremely easy to maintain; simply spray it down with water, and it dries quickly without trapping odors or moisture.
These shelves and ramps are a given in all of our catios. They’re essential for healthy feline enrichment, timeless in design, and always loved by cats.
Step Ladder & Scratcher Steps
These handmade cedar step ladders and scratcher steps give:
Older cats
Less mobile cats
Or simply lazy cats
An easy way to reach upper shelves. Each step is wrapped in durable rope, allowing them to double as small scratchers and adding another layer of enrichment to the space.
These steps are typically installed in lower areas for accessibility, but we can also place them in higher sections for more agile, adventurous cats who love a challenge. No matter the layout, these are a given in all of our catios, essential for creating safe movement pathways and making the space inclusive for cats of all ages and abilities.
Handmade Cedar Hiding Boxes
We built four handmade cedar hiding boxes in different sizes, each with its own style and purpose:
Some boxes are perfect for sleeping and privacy
Others encourage exploration and peek-through play
All offer carpeted tops that double as additional lounging platforms
These boxes are a must-have in multi-cat households. Cats naturally seek elevated hideaways to feel safe and secure.
Handmade Kitty Hammock
One of the coziest features inside this catio is the handmade hammock. It’s perfect for sunbathing, lounging, and supervising the backyard from above. Hammocks are especially great for cats who want a soft, elevated resting spot.
Two Suspended Bridges + Center Box (New Feature!)
This build includes one of our newest and most exciting additions: suspended rope-style bridges connected by a custom cedar box. This elevated pathway was designed specifically to give adventurous cats a stimulating challenge while still being safe and sturdy for daily use.
The two bridges create a fun, dynamic walkway that encourages cats to practice balance, build confidence, and explore the catio from above. The connecting cedar box acts as a mid-point rest stop, a place where they can peek out, hide, or simply observe the world from a higher vantage point.
This feature adds both vertical enrichment and a dramatic visual element to the catio. Many cats prefer taking the bridges over the shelves, turning it into their own little adventure course every day.
Corner Shelf System With Hiding Box + Circular Perches (New Feature!)
In this catio, we created a unique corner enrichment zone featuring a large corner shelf, a custom hiding box with peek-through openings, and a set of circular perches that lead up to it. This setup is designed to encourage exploration, vertical movement, and playful curiosity.
The circular perches provide a fun and functional climbing path, allowing cats to:
Build balance and coordination
Jump between platforms at different heights
Engage in playful upward movement
Stimulate their minds as they explore the openings in the box
The elevated hiding box gives cats a cozy, semi-private nook where they can rest, hide, or observe the catio from above, perfect for shy cats or those who love elevated spaces. The large corner shelf expands the lounging area even further, offering a relaxing, wide perch with great visibility.
This corner feature functions as its own little adventure zone, combining climbing, hiding, lounging, and play into one beautifully integrated design element.
Floor-to-Ceiling Crater Scratcher (Promanila Synthetic Rope)
This catio includes a tall floor-to-ceiling crater scratcher wrapped in durable promanila synthetic rope, which looks like natural manila but lasts much longer outdoors. It’s weather-resistant, easy to clean, and perfect for the Pacific Northwest climate.
This vertical scratcher gives cats:
A full-body stretch
A sturdy place to sharpen claws
A fun climbing challenge
A natural “tree-like” feature inside the catio
It’s a favorite among active cats who love to climb and stretch, and it holds up beautifully year-round.
Bubble Dome Bed
This bubble dome bed is always a hit. Cats love enclosed, semi-private spaces, and the dome gives them warmth, comfort, and a fun lookout point.
Built to Last in the Pacific Northwest
Every accessory in this catio is handmade with exterior-grade materials specifically chosen to withstand Pacific Northwest weather.
We use:
Cedar (naturally rot-resistant)
UV-protected stain
Outdoor carpets
Weather-resistant rope
Polycarbonate roofing
Everything is intentionally designed to survive rain, moisture, and year-round outdoor exposure.
How a Catio Improves Indoor Cat Behavior
Our clients consistently tell us how much calmer, happier, and more confident their cats are after adding a catio.
A well-accessorized catio can:
Reduce destructive scratching inside the home
Stop midnight zoomies
Reduce spraying or territorial behavior
Improve relationships in multi-cat homes
Prevent escape attempts
Support a healthier weight and mobility
Provide a safe outlet for energy
With the right accessories, indoor cats finally get a productive, healthy outlet for their instincts, and your home becomes much more peaceful.
Want a Custom Catio Like This?
We build custom catios across Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, using all-cedar lumber, heavy-duty mesh, and handmade enrichment accessories built to last. 👉 Contact The Catio Company
✨ No local catio builder near you? No problem!
Check out our DIY Catio Plans — designed to help you create a safe and beautiful space for your cats, no matter where you live.
