Transforming a Small NYC Apartment into a Feline Wonderland
You don’t need a sprawling house or a backyard to make your pets feel at home. Derek and Sarah, a couple living in a one-bedroom apartment in New York City’s Lower East Side, have proven that with smart design and some creativity, any space can become a luxury kitten paradise.
Their journey started when they decided to expand their small family by adopting cats. After visiting Meow Parlour, a nonprofit cat café and rescue, they instantly fell for Lox and Lottie (short for Latke), a bonded pair of 12-week-old kittens. With their friendly personalities and endless energy, the kittens were a perfect match for the minimalist young couple.
Designing Around Unique Features
Derek and Sarah’s aesthetic leans minimalist modern, favoring neutral tones, clean lines, and clutter-free spaces. But they realized early on that feline enrichment would need to factor into their home’s aesthetic. The apartment’s most distinctive feature — its large, street-facing windows — provided the perfect starting point for their design overhaul.
“We love the windows — that’s what we centered the design around,” Derek told The Dodo. Lox and Lottie quickly claimed window ledges as their favorite resting spot. Sarah initially placed blankets on the ledges but later upgraded them with plush cushions for extra comfort.
Window Entertainment with a Bird Feeder
To further enhance the kittens’ window-watching experience, Derek and Sarah installed a clear bird feeder outside one of the windows. The activity from passing pigeons and city birds has become a daily thrill for Lox and Lottie, who spend hours pawing at the glass and following their feathered friends’ every move.
From Storage Space to Cat Penthouse
Besides windows, the couple utilized vertical space in innovative ways. A former overhead closet space, previously used for luggage, is now a whimsical cat penthouse thanks to an accidental discovery. A tall cat tree placed by the closet window happened to align perfectly beneath the storage nook — and that sparked an idea.
Derek remodeled the overhead space into a feline dream suite, complete with:
- A miniature cat-sized couch
- Scratch-pad flooring
- A tiny lamp
- A framed pigeon painting
The result is an elevated retreat where the kittens can nap, people-watch, or play — all in style.
Creative Storage Hacks in a Small Apartment
Living in New York means housing space is always at a premium. To accommodate their growing pet supply inventory, Derek and Sarah found creative storage solutions throughout the apartment. For instance, their oven now doubles as a pantry — and is filled exclusively with canned cat food.
“We don’t do a lot of cooking,” Derek laughed, assuring there are no plans for baking anytime soon.
Every Room Has a Feline Function
The couple made a conscious decision to ensure that each room has a designated zone for their cats. Whether it’s a cat hammock affixed to a window, cozy floor mats, or climbing towers in corners, Lox and Lottie are never far from a spot designed just for them.
The next big project? Sarah and Derek plan to convert another storage nook — this time in the bedroom — into a serene cat relaxation zone.
Kittens’ Favorite Spot: Next to Each Other
Despite the abundance of luxury, toys, and creativity throughout the apartment, Lox and Lottie’s number-one hangout spot remains the same: cuddled up right beside each other.
Final Thoughts
Derek and Sarah’s one-bedroom proves that thoughtful design and smart use of space can turn even the smallest apartment into a thriving environment for cats. With window views, creative climbing challenges, and cozy nooks throughout, they’ve created a home that’s not only functional and chic but also puts their furry family members first.
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