A good modern cat tree looks like furniture but still works like a climbing frame. That means clean lines, a restrained colour palette and materials that suit your room, along with the solid base, scratching surfaces and high perch your cat actually needs. If a stylish cat tower doesn't get used, it's just an expensive ornament.
What Makes a Cat Tree Look Modern?
- Fewer visible surfaces of carpet: Exposed timber-toned panels look lighter than a tower fully wrapped in carpet.
- A simple colour palette: Warm timber, cream and soft neutrals are easier to place than busy patterns or dark carpet.
- Considered shapes: Arches, open frames and clear bowls keep a large piece from feeling bulky.
- Natural-looking materials: Hemp, sisal and corduroy feel closer to homewares than to traditional pet equipment.
- Removable soft parts: Cushions you can wash or replace help the tower stay looking fresh.
Match the Tower to Your Interior Style
Here's how we'd pair our models with common Australian interior styles. Footprints are shown as width x depth.
| Your style | Our pick | Why it works | Footprint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japandi | Studio Series 172cm Dual Bowl | Warm timber tones, clear bowls and corduroy cushions | 50 x 66cm |
| Scandi or minimalist | Studio Series 165cm Designer | Light timber tone and simple architectural lines | 40 x 80cm |
| Contemporary feature piece | Studio Series 185cm Modern | Wooden spine, flat sisal scratcher and a slim 40cm depth | 80 x 40cm |
| Small modern apartment | Studio Series 290cm Floor-to-Ceiling | A slim vertical line that uses very little floor | 40 x 40cm |
| Soft colour accent | Core Series 160cm Modern | Timber-toned finish with a green condo | 55 x 40cm |
Mid-century modern rooms: We don't make a dedicated mid-century cat tree, but warm timber tones and simple shapes tend to sit comfortably alongside this style. The 172cm and 185cm Studio Series towers are good places to start.
What "Wooden" Really Means
Designer cat furniture is often described as wooden, but that word can cover very different materials. It's worth checking what you're paying for:
- Solid timber: Cut from solid boards. It's less common in cat trees and usually costs more.
- Plywood: Thin wood layers bonded together. It's strong for its weight and is what most of our range uses. Our Studio Series and Core Series 195cm are made from furniture-grade plywood with a timber-toned finish.
- MDF and particleboard: Engineered boards made from wood fibres or particles. Our Core Series 135cm, 160cm and 180cm use E1-standard board with a timber-toned finish.
None of our cat trees are solid timber. For a deeper comparison, read plywood vs MDF cat trees and wooden vs carpet cat towers.
Don't Trade These for Good Looks
A beautiful tower still has to pass your cat's test. Before you buy, check it has:
- A steady base: Cats avoid towers that move when they land. Check the base thickness and footprint, and see our tall cat tree guide if you're going above 180cm.
- Real scratching surfaces: Hemp or sisal posts give your cat a better option than your couch. See why cats scratch furniture.
- Grip where it counts: Smooth panels are easy to clean but can feel slippery to a kitten or cautious cat. Mats on landing spots and good post access make climbing easier.
- A perch big enough to rest on: Your cat should be able to curl up or stretch out at the top, not just balance there.
- A sensible climbing route: Make sure bowls and platforms don't block the way up. A cat that can't reach the top perch won't use it.
How to Style a Cat Tree in Your Room
- Give it a purpose: Placing it beside a window makes it look intentional and gives your cat something to watch.
- Echo what's already there: Match the timber tone to your floor, shelving or side table, so the tower looks like part of the room.
- Keep the area clear: Don't crowd it with other furniture. It needs space around it for your cat to jump safely, and it looks better with some breathing room.
- Add greenery with care: Plants pair well with timber, but some are dangerous to cats. Lilies are especially toxic, so check that any plant nearby is safe.
- Keep it clean: Fur on a timber surface shows up quickly. A quick wipe and regular cushion wash will do most of the work. Here's how to clean a cat tree.
Our guide on where to put a cat tree can help you find the right spot, and our apartment vertical space guide is useful if you're short on room.
Browse the Studio Series or see all cat towers and trees.
FAQ
What is the most stylish type of cat tree?
It depends on your room, but towers with timber-toned panels, simple shapes and natural fabrics are usually the easiest to fit into a modern home. Choose one that suits the colours and materials already in your space.
Are modern cat trees as sturdy as carpeted ones?
The style itself doesn't decide that. Base thickness, footprint, post size and correct assembly matter more than how a tower looks, so compare those details rather than relying on appearance.
Are your wooden cat trees made of solid wood?
No. Our towers use furniture-grade plywood or E1-standard MDF and particleboard, depending on the model, with a timber-toned finish.
Are modern cat trees easier to clean?
Generally, yes. Fur and dust wipe off smooth surfaces with a damp cloth, whereas carpet tends to trap them. Fabric parts still need regular washing.
Will my cat use a cat tree without carpet?
Most cats will, especially if the tower has soft mats and proper scratching posts. Some cats prefer certain textures, so try moving or removing a cushion if yours seems hesitant, and place the tower somewhere your cat already likes to spend time.