How to Reuse a Cardboard Box: Turn a Cardboard Box into a Cat House

You have a big cardboard box that has no use, is taking up space but yet you refuse to throw it out because you want to reuse it. If you also happen to have a cat, you're in luck and so is he - you can make him a new cat house out of the cardboard box. The box doesn't have to look like something you would toss in the trash - it can look surprisingly nice and take very little time and money to put together.

Step 1. Place the open side of the box facing down. Draw outlines on the cardboard box where you're going to cut pieces out. Make a front door and as many windows as you wish. You don't have to make standard square windows and a rectangle door, you can make an arched doorway or circle windows as well. Each window should be large enough so your cat can pop his head out and the door needs to be large enough so his body can comfortably fit through. Cut the pieces out and adjust the size to make the holes bigger if necessary.

Step 2. Using non-toxic paint, spray-paint or paint the roof of the house one color and the rest of the house, except for the bottom, another color. This is best to do outside so you don't inhale paint fumes or drip paint anywhere. Give it at least a day or two to dry before you move onto the next step.

Step 3. Use additional colors of paint to decorate the outside of the cat house. Paint trees on the box, polka dots or any other design you wish. As with step 2, give the box a day or two to dry before moving on.

Step 4. Fill a small drawstring burlap bag with something that has some weight such as small pebbles or even dry cat food. Tie the bag tightly so nothing spills out, then using strong fabric glue, attach a piece of Berber carpet around the outside of the bag. Hold it for at least a minute so it starts to set, then let sit for a few hours to completely dry. After it thoroughly dries, place the bag next to the cat's house. Berber carpet is good for a cat to use for scratching material, which is a lot better than him using your sofa.

Step 5. Purchase already grown cat grass (or grow your own at home) and put it in a round planter. Use a spare a round tray that is about 1/2-inch to 1-inch larger than the planter and put the planter on top of it - make sure the round tray has raised sides. Place heavy rocks in the space between the sides of the tray and the planter so it adds weight and won't move around when the cat eats out of it. Put the cat grass outside of the door to your cat's house.

Step 6. Spread out an old blanket across the bottom of the inside of the cat house. In one corner, put his toys and a small stuffed animal if he has one. When you need to clean out the cat house, all you have to do is lift it up to open the box.

Reusing the box to make your cat happy is a much better option than tossing it into the garbage. Avoid putting too much inside so he has enough room to move around. Place the box out of the way so he has his own private area and you won't have to step over a large box to get from one place to another.