Cat trees are rarely the most beautiful objects in a home. They are often tall, scratchy, beige, awkwardly shaped, and treated as something to be tolerated rather than celebrated. Swedish designer Gustaf Westman seems to have taken that as a challenge. With his new Chunky Cat Tree, he reimagines the everyday pet accessory as a sculptural, design-forward piece of furniture that belongs as much to the living room as it does to the cat.
Known for his soft, rounded, almost cartoon-like forms, Westman has built a recognizable visual language around bold proportions and playful silhouettes. His Chunky collection already includes cups, glasses, vases, a stool, a flower pot, and even a coffee maker. Now, with the Chunky Cat Tree, that same design universe has expanded into the world of pet furniture.
The piece is informed by Westman’s Blob Sofa, which launched in 2023. Like the sofa, the cat tree uses stacked, rounded volumes and a confident colour palette to create something that feels friendly, soft, and slightly surreal. Instead of hiding pet furniture in a corner, Westman’s version asks to be seen. It functions as a perch for cats, but also as a statement object for humans.
The design features a tripod base, with three rounded legs supporting platforms placed at different heights. These levels allow cats to climb, rest, observe, and occupy the structure from multiple angles. The three rounded feet can also serve as resting spots, making the piece usable by more than one cat at a time. It is practical, but it does not look purely practical. That is where the charm lies.
Westman’s approach feels especially relevant in a moment when homes are becoming more carefully curated, but also more emotionally expressive. People no longer want furniture that only performs a function; they want objects that reflect personality, taste, humour, and lifestyle. The Chunky Cat Tree fits into this shift beautifully. It treats cats not as an afterthought in the domestic space, but as active participants in it.
