Where to Put a Litter Box in a Small Apartment

If you’ve ever experienced living with a cat in a small apartment, you’ve probably experienced some…ahem…challenging situations. You learn to expect the unexpected, hide certain foods, and expect noise at weird hours of the night. 

One other challenge is figuring out where you can put your litter box. You want it to be easily accessible for your cat and you so you can clean it regularly, but at the same time, you also don’t want it to impose on the rest of your space. 

Here are some ideas that allow you to do just that. 

1. Laundry room

If your apartment happens to have a laundry room, count yourself lucky.

Laundry rooms are a popular choice for placing litter boxes, because they’re typically away from the main living areas of an apartment.

Now, bear in mind that the laundry room might not be the best option if you own a skittish kitty. Many cats find the washing machine or tumble dryer noises too noisy to peacefully ‘go about their business’.

If you decide to use the laundry room for your litter box, look for litter boxes that can fit snuggly into mall corners or spaces.

A flexible design

The Litter Genie Cat Litter Box from Amazon has a flexible design that allows it to fit into most small spaces. Its high walls also provide your cat with the privacy it deserves.

Corner litter box

Basic and affordable, this Amazon Basics No-Mess Hooded Corner Cat Litter Box fits well in any corner and takes up minimal space.

2. In a closet or under-sink cabinet

If you have an entryway closet, hall closet, or a cabinet under a bathroom or kitchen sink that you are happy to use as your cat’s litter box, this often works very well.

Take care to remove the closet or cabinet door from its hinges, and add a cat door or keep the door permanently ajar. Your kitty will need constant access to its litter box. Cover the bottom of your closet or cabinet with a litter mat or covering to protect it from getting messy or damaged. Just be mindful of what else you store in the cabinet (for sanitary purposes). 

Here is a highly-rated, waterproof, and easily cleanable cat litter mat from Amazon that comes in multiple sizes to suit any closet or cabinet floor space.

3. Next to a toilet

Another popular choice for apartment owners—although this does have its pros and cons—is the area adjacent to the toilet.

Cat litter boxes easily fit next to a toilet. Most people are typically unbothered by sharing a toilet space with a friendly feline or two. 

A potential drawback to placing a cat litter box nearby a toilet is that your cat may not have access to its litter box when the room is in use.

For those of you that want to take it a step further, several cat owners have had success with this CitiKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit. If you can train your cat to go to the toilet, it’ll only remove the need to find space for a litter box but also save you time and money.

4. In a bathroom

Placing your litter box in the bathroom will help keep unpleasant smells from wafting into your main apartment living area. What’s more, if a kitty does happen to scatter litter onto the floor, your bathroom floor is a whole lot easier to clean than your carpet.

Bathrooms can be humid spaces. If you are concerned your bathroom is particularly humid, add a humidifier before placing the litter box inside.

Place the litter box in an empty bathroom cabinet and ensure to install a cat door or leave the cabinet door wide open.

Otherwise, look for a narrow litter box or piece of furniture that you can use both as a litter box and to store other bathroom accessories. Here are two options. Take a look at this option. This litter box will work well in most bathrooms and is practical and multi-functional.

If you prefer a bathroom bench option, this Merry Products Cat Washroom Bench Amazon will add seating to your bathroom and give your kitty a private spot to do their business.

5. In plain sight

If you are going to have a litter box, why not incorporate it into your apartment by making it complement your apartment’s overall style and character?

Numerous innovative and attractive cat litter box options are available that will in no way look out of place. Just try to find spots that are both accessible and have good ventilation.

Here are a couple of creative ideas:

Add some greenery

This Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Litter Box is such a fantastic idea!

The pot can be easily mistaken as a standard decorative planter and you place it in any apartment space. If you can find space in a hallway, bathroom, or balcony, this is an innovative way to ensure that your litter box looks aesthetically pleasing while remaining accessible.

Top entry cat litter boxes

If you’re planning on having your litter box in your apartment living spaces, choose a litter box that will prevent litter scatter.

This IRIS USA Cat Litter Box, Top Entry Litter Box with Scoop from Amazon, has a top entry spot that eliminates mess. It also comes in multiple sizes to fit in any sized room.

Modern and sleek

If your litter box is in sight, make sure it has a modern, sleek design. This MS!MAKE SURE Cat Litter Box (with Litter Mat) is minimalist and intelligent. Not only does it keep its litter storage area concealed, but it boasts having top-notch odor control.

6. Make it part of the furniture

Several cat litter boxes are incorporated into functional at-home furniture pieces. Just because it’s a litter box, doesn’t mean it needs to look like a litter box.

These furniture pieces below do just that. At first glance, most people will struggle to tell that there is a cat litter box inside. 

Peek at this selection of well-designed furniture:  

The small cabinet option

This Penn-Plax Cat Walk Furniture: Contemporary Home Cat Litter Hide-Away Cabinet will effortlessly blend in with your existing home décor. Add a couple of nick knacks on top, and the cabinet should fit right into most small apartment spaces.

The large cabinet with storage

If you have the space, adding a larger cabinet to your living area or bedroom will provide additional storage space while tending to your cat’s needs. 

This YUSING Litter Box Enclosure from Amazon boasts excellent ventilation and will keep kitty litter hidden from your guests. 

Setup a privacy screen

If you have no space for a cabinet or dislike the look of litter boxes, perhaps consider setting up a privacy screen in the corner of your apartment. A good example from is the PetFusion ModestCat Litter Box Privacy Screen. 

Not only will it give your cat privacy when doing it’s number 1’s and 2’s, but it will keep your litter box completely hidden from view. 

7. Repurposed furniture

Do you own a piece of furniture (a sideboard or side table) that you’re not using and don’t mind adjusting? By cutting an entrance hole on one end of the furniture or adjusting the shelving, you can effortlessly transform it into a litter box for your cat. 

8. Balcony

If you own a balcony, this outdoor space is perfect for placing a litter box. Unpleasant odors remain outside, and the litter box won’t take up any valuable indoor apartment space.  

If your litter box remains outdoors, invest in a cat house similar to the Palram Pets Mona Outdoor Cat House, which is made for all seasons. You don’t want your cat to be deterred from doing its business outside because of the weather after all, or else you might end up with mess that you really don’t want to have to clean up.