Room Tour: A Cat-Centric Living Room
This multi-functional living area is a purr-fect example of how humans and felines can share a space harmoniously
Verlaine Marquez
23 May 2019
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five years, and now a full-time freelance writer for various online and print publications for the past decade and counting. Part-time crafter, wannabe gardener, and breast cancer thriver.
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five... More
The owners of this three-bedroom condo wanted a modern yet homey space that not only suits their lifestyle, but also considers the comfort of their pet cats, which they adore. Designer Pan Yi Cheng of Produce helped them create a bona fide cat-friendly living room, as he merged the design requirements of his clients and their feline friends. “The cats are our clients, too. They are unique creatures and may not get along from time to time, so we designed a cat climb/house so they have their individual space,” says Pan. See how this multipurpose living room successfully caters to the needs of its dwellers.
Room at a Glance: Living room
Who lives here: A couple in their 30s, and their two British Shorthair cats
Location: The Lush condominium at Duku Road
Size of the room: 12 sqm (129 sq ft)
Designer: Pan Yi Cheng of Produce
An open-plan layout gives both two-legged and four-legged residents plenty of space to move around. Furniture pieces can easily be arranged according to need. All cabinetry are in the same maple finish – most are in veneers, while some doors are done in solid maple strips –selected so cats can scratch. The consistent wood detail and colour help make the room look brighter and larger, while under-cabinet lights add warmth to the space. Display accessories are purposely absent on the TV console, giving the cats more places to sit and rest.
Who lives here: A couple in their 30s, and their two British Shorthair cats
Location: The Lush condominium at Duku Road
Size of the room: 12 sqm (129 sq ft)
Designer: Pan Yi Cheng of Produce
An open-plan layout gives both two-legged and four-legged residents plenty of space to move around. Furniture pieces can easily be arranged according to need. All cabinetry are in the same maple finish – most are in veneers, while some doors are done in solid maple strips –selected so cats can scratch. The consistent wood detail and colour help make the room look brighter and larger, while under-cabinet lights add warmth to the space. Display accessories are purposely absent on the TV console, giving the cats more places to sit and rest.
Cats love to perch in high places, so Pan utilised the vertical space in the living room. He incorporated cat-climbing units into the stretch of the TV wall to allow the felines to ascend two ways: through the indoor box volumes, and above the cabinet boxes.
To make sure that the space is indeed cat-friendly, Pan worked with the owners even after they moved in to check how the cats were doing. “Several modifications were done to the cat climb to ensure that they could move up and down with greater ease and prevent falling,” he says. Doors were also fitted with cat flaps, including the glass doors to the balcony so that the cats can go out for birdwatching.
To make sure that the space is indeed cat-friendly, Pan worked with the owners even after they moved in to check how the cats were doing. “Several modifications were done to the cat climb to ensure that they could move up and down with greater ease and prevent falling,” he says. Doors were also fitted with cat flaps, including the glass doors to the balcony so that the cats can go out for birdwatching.
Having modular and multi-purpose furniture is an important consideration for the owners, especially since they also like to have casual get-togethers at home. They chose the Kime extendable dining table for versatility. “We designed mobile storage benches as dining seats to accommodate different sizes of gatherings,” explains Pan.
Kime extendable dining table by Bonaldo: XZQT
Kime extendable dining table by Bonaldo: XZQT
Being avid gamers, the couple preferred mobile workstations, which they can position anywhere in the living room. This lets them multitask with ease – playing games while watching TV, dining or looking after their cats. “The mobile workstations are designed to be parked side by side at the window, where they can be concealed by a slide-and-fold door,” says Pan. To maintain a uniform look, the same wood finish is applied to the cupboard on the other side of the room.
All photos by Kenneth Heng
When the workstations are stowed away and the mobile benches are returned back to their place, all that is left is the leather Luna sofa, which is always a comfy spot for unwinding. It’s the fuss-free, clean-lined design that makes this space a cosy haven for its dwellers, furry friends included.
Luna sofa by Nicoletti: XZQT
See more photos of cats in their purrfectly well designed spaces
TELL US
Do you have pets? How did you achieve a pet-friendly home? Share in the Comments!
When the workstations are stowed away and the mobile benches are returned back to their place, all that is left is the leather Luna sofa, which is always a comfy spot for unwinding. It’s the fuss-free, clean-lined design that makes this space a cosy haven for its dwellers, furry friends included.
Luna sofa by Nicoletti: XZQT
See more photos of cats in their purrfectly well designed spaces
TELL US
Do you have pets? How did you achieve a pet-friendly home? Share in the Comments!
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Oh wow! That is intelligent design but umm not much of a feline friendly kinda person. But love the wood and angular design!
I love the mobile work stations! Such a great idea. I always get over my home office/study room and end up working from the couch/bed etc! Having a mobile station would be much nicer. I love their multi-purpose wall! Lucky cat!
Creative how the cabinets separates off into climbing units for the cats. Also helps create rhythm in the room