Boy meets girl. Boy and girl bring home a cat (despite boy’s allergies), and begin prototyping some functional, elegant cat furniture for their newly shared abode. Boy and girl hit on a winning formula and spin their designs into a booming business that employs 25 workers in a 12,000-square-foot facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s not your typical start-up tale (or your typical rom-com plotline, for that matter), but for Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman of CatastrophiCreations—and the more than 10,000 customers who’ve incorporated their handcrafted cat bridges, hammocks, and sisal poles into their pets’ lives—it’s the ultimate happy ending.
Explore the CatastrophiCreations collection
More than just a good-looking line of perches and play areas, the wall-mounted, mostly modular furniture that Mike and Megan’s team turns out gives indoor cats the energy-burning and instinct-indulging stimulation they need to be calm and content. “To me, my cats are my kids. I love giving them a really cool play place and seeing other people have the same passion we do about keeping their cats happy,” Megan says. “I’m glad that we can help people realize those kinds of dreams.”
Read on to learn more about this wildly successful workshop, and shop the CatastrophiCreations collection.
What are some of the benefits of having furniture like this for cats?
Megan: Cats have high energy and tend to get bored, so it’s really important for their environment to have a lot for them to do and interact with. Especially in a house with multiple cats—when they can run around and get some exercise, let out some steam, that actually calms them down.
Cats are also very territorial; we have four boy cats, and every time we’ve brought in a new cat, we’ve added more wall structures so they don’t feel like their area is being encroached upon. It gives way more square footage to a room when you start can using the walls that way. Then everyone can have their own high perch and look out over their kingdom.
Which of your products do your own cats like the most?
Mike: As our cats have gotten older, they’re less into jumping around and climbing on stuff and more about lounging, so their favorite things would probably be the roped bridge or the hammocks. We have quite a few hammocks across the wall at our house, and there’s almost always a cat on the wall just napping. But we recently got a kitten that has a ton of energy and races all around the house and loves to run up the sisal post.
Your pieces seem really high quality. What kinds of materials do you work with to produce your line?
Mike: A lot of other companies use plywood or MDF to try to get into the same price range as mass-produced pet furniture. We wanted to set ourselves apart from what other brands were doing and go for more high-end across the board, so we use only solid wood. We use a lot of pine, because it’s a softer wood, which allows cats to sink their claws into it and have the traction they need to be running around on the wall.
As for our sisal posts, we’ve kept reinforcing them and improving them over the years, so that today they’re super durable. We’re just trying to make it so that our furniture lasts as long as it possibly can.
Megan: It’s the same with the fabric for our hammocks. We started originally with ordinary bottom-weight fabric, and then tested out a lot of different canvases until we found one we really liked that would also hold up to our cats’ use. Now we have the strongest product we’ve ever had, and we feel really good about it.
How else has your line evolved over time?
Mike: Our first generation of furniture has visible brackets, just regular L-brackets like you could buy at any hardware store, and it’s priced lower than the Cat Mod stuff, which is our second generation. It’s still pretty popular for that reason. Then for the second generation of furniture, we took input from our customers and tried to address a lot of their feedback. Now we have a custom bracket that’s hidden, and it’s even stronger than the first ones because it stretches out the whole length of the plank on the wall. Another request people had was wanting to wash or change out the fabric for their hammocks, so we designed a version with fabric that comes on and off. In the process of brainstorming ways to do that, we got the idea for building the different modular sections so they’d work with standard 16-inch wall studs or 24-inch studs, and give the customer more flexibility with where they position the pieces on their walls.
Megan: Another change would be using attachments. We’re always trying to innovate, and I love the idea of products you can add to over time—buy something as a base, and then add this onto it, add that onto it. So that’s kind of how we think about our furniture: Somebody can buy a set and then add on a feeder and a planter, or just build onto it and make it a bigger structure. That also allows people to build up to the structure they want if they don’t have the money to buy it all at once, and everything will still match when it all comes together.
What are some of the most popular items you make?
Mike: The roped bridge is definitely one, and our Deluxe Playplace from the first generation is still really popular, too.
Megan: The floating sisal post, too. That came out of an idea I had to mount a sisal pole on one of our floating shelves. I made a prototype and showed it to Mike and another buddy when we were hanging out in the shop after hours. We started tossing around ideas and someone turned it sideways and said, “Hey, what if this just came out of the wall by itself?” We started making those right away and people love them. It’s kind of cool how different things have been created over time, just with us all spitballing together.
You’ve sold more than 10,000 items on Etsy. Did you ever think your shop would get this big?
Mike: It’s been really crazy. When things first started ramping up, a buddy of mine that I’ve known since I was 14 came and started doing woodworking in our garage with us; then a really good friend of Megan’s from Portland ended up moving here and helping us, too. It was the four of us making everything out of our townhome. Today we’re in a 4,000-square-foot commercial space, and we just signed a lease to move into a 12,000-square-foot place. We’ve pretty much been doubling each year, which is really exciting.
Wow. Where do you think that magic comes from?
Megan: When we first started making the furniture for ourselves, we just kept thinking like, Wow, it would be awesome if our cats had this hammock on the wall; wow, what if we had a bunch of hammocks on the wall, and they could climb up them? Then we’d make the things that we imagined, and right away, people were contacting us saying, “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know this existed; this is what I’ve been looking for forever.” I think that having cats at home, seeing what they enjoy and letting them try things out, it helps us come out with really unique things that cats genuinely like. And people seem to really like them, too.
What’s next for CatastrophiCreations?
Mike: In the next four months or so, we’re coming out with a line of cat trees, so we’ll have something for people who aren’t interested in mounting anything on the wall. We’re also working with a group of engineers to develop a sleeker version of our Cat Mod that should be more moderately priced. We’re really excited about that.
Follow CatastrophiCreations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Portraits and workshop photographs by Samantha James, all other photographs courtesy of CatastrophiCreations.
70 comments
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 1 year ago
Love your shop and eagerly awaiting your new cat trees! Congrats on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
Liza from eEssenceOrganics said 1 year ago
Wow....I love this shop. So innovative, functional and cute. Favoriting it now.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 1 year ago
Wow! What a unique product line! Congratulations on the feature!
Nadya from SunnyFlowersShop said 1 year ago
Cats..my weakness =) Amazing shop!
Karl Freund from KarlArts said 1 year ago
Holy Cow!! Or should I say...Holy Cat!!! Your shop and crew are pretty amazing. Really cool! : )
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 1 year ago
What unique and innovative products! So much cat-happiness going on! I don't have a cat in the house right now, but 2 live in my shop. Congrats on all your success! =^..^=
Anastasiya from byKiama said 1 year ago
My cat would like it definitely! :)
Anastasia from WildJewelleryDesigns said 1 year ago
I think any cat would be happy:-) cool shop!
Elena from BusyToysShop said 1 year ago
I love cats! I've two cats at home and my sister has four! It's the best furniture for cats, what I saw. What a pity that I've small flat. I would certainly buy it for my cats. You have wonderful shop!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 1 year ago
Love this, like a functional work of art, those hammocks are so unique! Interesting story, thanks for sharing
Rafael Ramirez from WCFcraftedgoods said 1 year ago
This is an awesome shop. Congratulations!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 1 year ago
Wow... inventive and amazing stuff for cats! Congratulations on the feature:)
Darya from BijouPuzzle said 1 year ago
Very interesting! And in our house lives a squirrel!))) we have also been looking for her a suitable house
Oksana from AmigurumiJoys said 1 year ago
Wow! Amazing works) I want a cat!!!! :))))))
Kate Cherkasova from CherkasovaStudio said 1 year ago
Wiiii! These are kitties! 😍 And great work!
Rita from YourDigitalDream said 1 year ago
Wow! awesome! My cats will be very happy!
Irina from CuteCrochetToysUA said 1 year ago
class, creative.
Anna Sypalo from XstitchbyAnna said 1 year ago
Perfect cat's furniture!
Anna Dmytriv from FormaWorkshopUA said 1 year ago
Wow! It's so creative and nice looking! If I had a cat I would deffinitely buy some. Great job!
Tatyana from MOMsBirdie said 1 year ago
I love cats 😻 In my opinion your roped bridge is the best items!
Marina Klimantova from Babycarestudio said 1 year ago
I myself would like to lie on such cool furniture! )))
Lu Lu from Vol4iwa said 1 year ago
To change something in the project for its improvement is cool! Customer reviews do us better. Responses help to understand that it is demanded that our audience would like over our service. And as a result we come to an ideal product!
Tatiana Kirienko from ooccttoobbeerr said 1 year ago
I am so glad that there are people who care about the comfort of cats! For my cat, I will definitely purchase such wonderful furniture!
Nadezhda from KnittedFriendsShop said 1 year ago
wonderful products for your favorite cats! our cat has a cozy corner too
Mary Kolesnichenko from FantasyCreaturesMary said 1 year ago
I love cats! so beautifully these masters take care of them! It is a pity that I do not have this cute animal ... But I love to make cats in their products.
Julia from FavoriteToysShop said 1 year ago
Be sure to please your cat with such a gift
Ekaterina Zykova from KatyaToysShop said 1 year ago
Great idea for my wool felted seals!
Niakris from DreamsOfTheUniverse said 1 year ago
What wonderful wall shelves for cats are sold in this store!
Mr See from ParodyParlour said 1 year ago
Oh wow! Kinda surprised of your concept. Something quite fresh!
Galina from MaguzoCreations said 1 year ago
Great idea for apartments! Next step will be elevated furniture in the house for CHILDREN !!! :) :) :)
Xenotees from Xenotees said 1 year ago
🐱 Congratulations on the feature! I'm a long time fan of your cat creations! 🐱
Kristina from krismini said 1 year ago
Great furniture for your favorite cat.
Craig & Michelle Zuiderweg from somadlyinlove said 1 year ago
So creative! I love that you care about quality!
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 1 year ago
Great things for happy cat) I like the shop and their team! Wish you good luck!
Anna from UniqWool said 1 year ago
Brilliant idea! Very necessary things for pets! I,m very love cats! I'm making felt balls for cats. Soon these balls will be in my store for everyone :)
Irina Zozulya from CleomaKnitShop said 1 year ago
What a delightful post! Love your shop and pretty production! My cat would like to have this)))
Katerina Korykova from LeepsLeepsJewelry said 1 year ago
Great store. I love cats. I wish you creative development.
Anastasia Z from TheWatercolorAtelier said 1 year ago
I fell in love with this furniture! It looks so stylish that I start to envy my pets :)
Alina from KuklaMechti said 1 year ago
Very impressed with all these designs! If I were a cat, I'd dream about this))))
Elizaveta from FrantsToys said 1 year ago
Such an interesting and inspiring story! My fiance and I adopted a cat from a shelter a month ago. And I want the best for her! I have already crochet a rocket house for her, a few baskets and toys. Now I want to do such things for other cats, too, so I add pet houses in my store. And soon I plan to open a new shop with crochet houses and toys for pets.
Ekaterina from DLfamilyWorkshop said 1 year ago
It's a dream for my cats and me!!!
Tuanette said 1 year ago
Yay! Finally found somebody with cat furniture... That looks CUTE!
yashchirka from yashchirka said 1 year ago
thanks this article! I have never seen such interesting playgrounds for cats, and most importantly stylish for modern housing. I will advise my friends who have cats.
Kristina from Krisstelknitting said 1 year ago
Very good idea for the interior. I often have a problem where to put a house for a cat.
Iryna from IRjewelryStudio said 1 year ago
Wowww... I definitely need something like this!
Solomiia Tepla from UnicornBeadsArt said 1 year ago
Honesty I don`t have cat, but I wanted to read this and first statement make me laugh - my boyfriend has allergy :) Guys, you do great gob! Never give up!
Slava K. from HappyWoodenGifts said 1 year ago
I think my cat will like these guys)
Marina from MyHobbyTimeTMN said 1 year ago
What a great idea !!! I also have a cat and she would certainly appreciate such furniture.
Irina from LottyMeStore said 1 year ago
My pup (she's even smaller than a cat) won't mind having this :)))
ENitto from ENittoshop said 1 year ago
Love these ideas!
David Peterson said 1 year ago
Wow, great job!!! This is so exciting and I hope that you are very successful!! BEST WISHES.
bluewine studio from bluewinestudio said 1 year ago
Aww, love your unique and special design! Perfect for cat lovers ♥
Rosita from pillowlink said 1 year ago
Oh so sweet story and items! Very creative team!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 1 year ago
Congrats on the feature! My cats are 13yrs old and one is very playful and would enjoy all of your products! The other just likes her "spot", but I'm tempted to try the cat bridge!
Dawn Brennan from Me2aTeeCreations said 1 year ago
LOVE your items! Congratulations and the best of luck to you!
Елена from TwistedJewelryRU said 1 year ago
What a useful store! It is evident that everything is done with joy and love for cats. You know perfectly the psychology of cats ... and buyers! I wish success to this friendly creative team!
Oksana from KNITTEDJEWELByOksana said 1 year ago
we also have a cat living at home!we love it and pockey or make him different toys!he's funny!
Michael Robinson from CarvedAccessories said 1 year ago
This is an awesome idea and design
Alena from ToysByAlenka said 1 year ago
Wow! I've never seen anything like it before. The idea is great! I think cats are very grateful to you! Good luck!
Natalya Evstigneeva from FeltAlchemist said 1 year ago
This is a cat dream! Super!
Yuly from CozySocksStore said 1 year ago
Very inspirational story! Well done guys!
Valentina from JewelrySValentina said 1 year ago
You have an amazing idea. I have 2 cats, I know how necessary for them to have fun. Take note of your store )
Gillian Northcott from esanivintage said 1 year ago
Lucky puddy cats. Great work.
Natalya from CozyHouseNatalie said 1 year ago
How great that cats make such a comfortable and beautiful furniture. I'm thrilled...
Jane from JanesToyCreations said 1 year ago
WOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOUR SHOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elena from BestBijouxStore said 1 year ago
I envy these cats :-)
Sophie from RainbowJunkyard said 1 year ago
This is too much :). I love that bridge - how can Cat furniture be so stylish
Cooper Collectibles T from CooperCollectibles said 1 year ago
I Love these Cat trees!! These are Awesome!
Amanda Lasowitz from WreathsToLoveDesign said 299 days ago
Wow, this is a great idea! I wish we had these when my cats were younger.
Erin from PetitDogApparel said 71 days ago
Oh I love these!! Would make the perfect gift for a cat lover :)