16 Modern Cat Trees to Entertain Your Cat and Enhance Your Decor

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Does searching for cat trees make you feel as though you’re wandering in a forest of giant beige carpeted towers? Don’t despair! There are plenty of sleek modern cat trees to break you and your cat away from the bland. You won’t need to hide these in a hallway.

Why Cats Need Cat Trees

“Humans live in a horizontal world but cats live in a vertical one,” says cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett. “They depend on elevated areas for safety, comfort, exercise, and fun.”

She notes that cat trees can help resolve conflicts in multi-cat homes, give skittish cats a comfortable refuge all their own, satisfy your cat’s natural urges to climb and scratch, and keep them entertained.

When buying a cat tree (modern or traditional), keep two things in mind: The size of your cat and the sturdiness of the cat tree. Cat trees aren’t particularly cheap, and you don’t want to invest in one your cat will quickly outgrow. You also want a tree that’s stable enough to hold the weight of your cat. If it sways when your cat jumps on and off, they may avoid the tree altogether. If you have an older cat, check out cat trees for older cats that don’t require big leaps to get from level to level.

Read online reviews and check the dimensions of the cat tree before you order—you want to make sure that the tree will fit in your living space.

Finding the Best Modern Cat Trees

Providing a good-size cat tree for your kitty’s indoor adventures doesn’t require you to sacrifice style. We’ve rounded up a variety of modern cat trees that’ll look amazing in your home.

Vesper High-Base Modern Cat Tree

This sleek modern cat tree is a perfect resting spot. Over four feet high, it comes in several color combos, including black and tan, walnut, and oak. Sisal-wrapped legs provide multiple scratching opportunities, and three platform perches, each with a skid-resistant topper, provide for endless non-skid jumping and pouncing. A cozy cubby to nap in and a dangling ball toy both sweeten the deal. The base is a space-saving 22 by 22 inches.

Tuft and Paw Grove Cat Tower (Verified Review)

A cat perch and bed in one, this gorgeous cat tower attempts to make up for a jaw-dropping price tag ($499 for the shorter 24” model, and $599 for the 41” style) with cat-friendly form and function and a clean, design-forward look.

A fleece-lined, high-walled bed at the base is a cozy nook for cat napping kitties; another fleece-lined pad makes up a generously-sized perch at the top (for lounging, reclining, or just watching the world go by).

We liked the beautiful, design-forward look and that the piece does not immediately register as “cat furniture.” As cat furniture goes, it’s above-average quality, constructed of real plywood (as opposed to cheap particle or fiber board).

We weren’t crazy that it arrives disassembled, and in a lot of styrofoam packaging. Once assembled (about 20 minutes) screw holes are visible in the bed area, detracting from the clean, flush look.

Armarkat Cat Tree

Let your cat jump and play among the clouds with this dreamy sky blue art deco-inspired modern cat tree. The durable carpeting is great for lounging and the three sturdy sisal-wrapped posts will be far more appealing than your furniture!

SmartCat Climber

If you have a standard-size door (79 to 82 inches high), congratulations! Your cat can enjoy this delightful—and space-saving—climbing and scratching experience. Utilize every inch of your home with this space-saving modern cat tree that has four lounging areas for your cat to hang out on as they make their way to the top.

Catastrophic Creations Cat Activity Center

Satisfy your cat’s desire to climb and explore with this multi-level jungle gym for your wall. It includes fabric for lounging and climbing, sisal for scratching, and planters for cat-safe plants and grasses.

PawHut Floor-to-Ceiling Adjustable Cat Tree

This fully customizable cat tree with adjustable shelves and hammock will give your cats plenty of space to explore no matter how modest the size of your space. The tension rods allow you to choose a height between 89.5 and 115 inches. The tree is easy to move from room to room—you could even place it in front of a window.

Feandrea Cat Tree

With all the style of a rustic snow-covered ski lodge, this cat tree provides all the fun and relaxation of a perfect day on the slopes, cat-style. The lush fleece pads detach for washing.

The Sebastian Modern Cat Tree

This large, modern cat tree is perfect for climbing and jumping and can also double as a shelving unit for your stuff—if you dare. This modern cat tree is available in black or white, with scratching pads on the lower levels; you can add a cat bed too. The tower is 67 inches high, with a modest 22-by-22-inch base.

Lazy Buddy Wooden Cat Tree

Give your cat the modern treehouse of their dreams with this playful cat tree that features a whimsical paw cutout on the cat cave. The thick fleece pads attach with velcro and are easy to remove for washing. Consider buying multiple units to place side by side to create the ultimate feline playground.

Trixie Alicante Cat Tree and Scratching Post

The sisal-wrapped scratching posts of this cat tree create a sleek modern look while cozy plush platforms and hideouts make your cat feel at home. Just over 56 inches high, this tree has plenty of platforms and should be accessible for just about any kitty.

PetFusion Ultimate Cat Climbing Tower

At more than 6 feet high, this modern climbing tower gives your cat the space to do some serious tree-climbing. Note that this tree requires leaping and climbing skills—so it’s definitely for the agile ninja kitty.

Trixie Lilo Modular Three-Story Cat Tower

Plush on the inside and scratch-friendly on the outside, your cat won’t mind being boxed in with this modular cat tower. Sisal sides make scratching and climbing easy.

Refined Feline Lotus Cat Tree

Made of sturdy plywood with oak veneer, the 69-inch-tall modern Lotus Cat Tower can stand up to the energetic antics of apartment-dwelling cats. With scratching surfaces, lounging pads, and a ground-level cave to hide out in, the tree gives your kitty plenty to do with only a 20-square-inch footprint.

PetPals Recycled Paper Rope Condo and Perch

Made of attractive black-and-white recycled paper rope, this modern cat tree will please even the pickiest of cats and blend seamlessly with any décor. Your cat will enjoy spaces for hiding, playing, scratching, and lounging 4 feet off the ground.

Colella Cat Tree

Stray from boring beige with this minimalist cat tree in gray and chocolate chenille with paper rope posts that’s sure to please. It’s 59 inches high, with a 21-inch diameter base, and four levels for your cat to enjoy.

Clontz Cat Tree with Teasers

This is a business-on-top, party-on-the-bottom kind of cat tree, making for a lovely spot for napping and playing. It’s 46 inches tall and 20 inches in diameter at the base.

Further Reading

• Outside the Box: Sleek Cat Furniture for Apartments and Small Spaces
• Let ‘Em Rip on These Cat Scratching Posts (and Save Your Sofa)
• Give Your Senior Kitty a Paw Up With These Cat Trees for Older Cats