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How to Design a Catio That Complements Your Home (Not Looks Like a Cage)

A well-designed Catio should feel like a natural extension of your home—not a bulky add-on.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to design a Bespoke Catio that blends seamlessly with your property while creating a safe, enriching outdoor space for your cats.


Grey Conservatory Style Catio with colourful wreath and flower boxes. Background shows yellow brick houses. Mood is calm and tidy.
A modern Conservatory Style Catio with a stylish dark grey exterior is adorned with a vibrant wreath and features wire mesh windows. Two flower boxes add a touch of greenery, and a rainwater barrel is conveniently placed nearby.


What Is the Best Way to Design a Catio that complements your home?


The best way to design a catio that complements your home is to treat it as part of your home’s architecture, not a separate structure.

This means:

  • Matching materials and finishes

  • Considering proportions and layout

  • Integrating it with your garden or exterior space


A bespoke approach ensures the Catio enhances your home rather than detracts from it.


How Do You Make a Catio Look Good?


To make a catio look good, focus on three key elements:


1. Use High-Quality Materials


Choose durable timber, refined finishes, and clean detailing. Painted or stained wood can significantly elevate the overall appearance.


2. Keep the Design Clean and Structured


Avoid overcrowding the space. A well-planned layout with platforms and levels should feel intentional, not cluttered.


3. Integrate With Your Home and Garden


Position the Catio so it aligns with your property. Adding planters or matching colours helps it blend naturally into the space.


Mainecoon Cat inside a Catio next to a pot of cat grass
Mainecoon Cat sitting inside a Custom Built Catio next to a pot of Cat Grass.

How Do You Stop a Catio Looking Like a Cage?


The key is design.


Avoid:

  • Basic boxed structures

  • Cheap materials

  • Harsh, industrial finishes


Instead, aim for:

  • Open, considered layouts

  • Balanced proportions

  • Materials that match your home


A Bespoke Catio is designed to look like part of your property—not something added as an afterthought.


Meshed catio with a blue door featuring a cat flap. There's a small wooden cat den on a brick wall, with black wooden walkways / structures around.
Custom Den with a walk way, inside a custom catio painted in anthracite

What Should Be Included in a Catio Design?


A well-designed outdoor cat enclosure should include:

  • Raised platforms for climbing

  • Sheltered areas for rest

  • Space for movement and exploration

  • Secure mesh and structure

  • Access points from your home

These features should be built into the design without compromising the overall look.


Why Bespoke Catios Work Best


Every home is different, which is why off-the-shelf catio kits rarely achieve a seamless finish.


A bespoke Catio:


  • Fits your exact space

  • Matches your home’s style

  • Is designed around your cat’s behaviour


This results in a more refined, long-lasting solution.


Bespoke Catio Design in Essex, Kent & London


At Custom Pet Enclosures, we design and build Bespoke Catios and Outdoor Cat Enclosures across Essex, Kent and London.

Each project is individually crafted to complement your home while giving your cats a safe and enriching outdoor environment.


Start Your Bespoke Catio Design


If you’re looking for a Catio that enhances your home—not looks like a cage:


 
 
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