How I Turned Our Bay Window into a Cat Playground with Omlet’s Space-Saving Freestyle Cat Tree

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Moving image of a cat scratching a sisal mat on a side table piece of furniture made for cats. Text on image reads cat scratching is normal. Ruined furniture shouldn't be. Hilde & Phil. Shop Now.

This post is in collaboration with Omlet, who provided their Freestyle Cat Tree in exchange for my honest review and experience using their product.

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Omlet let me design my own Indoor Freestyle Cat Tree, and it completely transformed this tight, underused corner of our living room into a vertical playground that gives my cats a place to perch, play, and peacefully coexist. (There’s literally a cat sleeping on it as I write this.)

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If you’re short on floor space but want to build a cat-friendly setup that's both enriching and stylish, keep reading.

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I'm sharing the exact products I chose, the design decisions behind them, and how to pick the right elements for your own Freestyle Cat Tree based on your cat's needs.

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What We Loved:

Space-saving: Perfect for small, tight spaces

Modular & customizable: Can shift and expand as our needs change

Renter-friendly: Minimal damage and fits most ceilings

Cat approved: Reduced tension between my cats

Sturdy build: Feels sturdy and secure, with high-quality parts

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Quick Recap:

Ease of Installation: ★★★★☆ (Takes time, but instructions are clear)

Style & Aesthetic: ★★★★★

Stability: ★★★★★

Cat Approval: ★★★★★

Value for Money: ★★★★☆

Would I recommend it? Yes, especially for cat guardians in small spaces who want something durable and adaptable.

Photo of a cat sitting on a sofa in a living room with bay windows with plantation shutters in the background

The Challenge

Designing a home that works for both you and cat can feel like quite the puzzle, especially in a small or oddly-shaped space like ours.

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The bay window in our living room looked beautiful visually, but in practicality was a wasted space. The bulky plantation shutters kept anything from being in the window if we wanted to let light in and most importantly it became a zone of tension for our two cats. With one sneaking up behind the other and no clear exit route, it often led to scraps.

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I wanted to reclaim this spot as a peaceful, functional area where our cats could lounge, climb, and feel secure while still functioning as a conversation and entertainment space for friends and family.

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The Design Process

A photo of a bay window. Each window is flanked by deep green velvet curtains.

Choosing where to place the Freestyle Cat Tree

For me, the placement decision was pretty straightforward this time. This bay window was underused, and it had a lower ceiling in the nook that perfectly accommodated the poles on our otherwise tall sloped ceiling (although the top can be installed on an angled ceiling as well).

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That’s another thing I love about this system, it's modular and freestanding so you’re not limited by wall studs, doors, and windows. The Freestyle Cat Trees adaptability makes it a great option for:

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Renters who can’t drill into walls
Supplementing a cat wall where you can’t complete a full cat highway such as around doors or windows
Tight nooks like bay windows, between furniture, or unused corners
Studios or small spaces where floor space is precious and vertical solutions are key

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If you're planning your own setup, I recommend looking for spaces that already have some natural boundaries— a window alcove like mine, a built-in recessed area, or a window they might not otherwise be able to access so the cat tree feels like a natural part of the layout. It’s an added bonus if it’s a spot your cat already likes to explore or perch near.

How do I know which types of products to choose for my tree?

Once you know where you want your cat tree to go, the next step is deciding what to put on it. I approached this like I would designing a cat wall, by thinking about my cats’ behaviors, preferences, and how they move through vertical space. If you’re not familiar with these criteria go check out my blog post on cat shelves here.

The Products I Chose and Why

Here are some factors that determined how I created a freestanding playground unique to my cats:

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Number of Poles: Originally we were going to do three poles but then opted for two poles and to add an additional pole later. Now that the two poles are in place, I think adding a third pole would be too much space. It’s okay to build on as you and your cats get to know their set up.

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Cross-platforms: I chose cross-platforms to help prevent wobbling.

A cat perched on a crossbar that connects two tension pole cat trees together

Platforms & Steps: Omlet has platforms and steps and both allow you to add a pad. Because my cats are seniors and tend to get the zoomies and climb with a lot of speed I opted for more platforms than steps as I assumed (correctly) that they would be less confident in using the steps. Cats need secure footing, especially at height. I chose padded, non-slip platforms to help them feel safe as they jump. They also love using the platforms to take a nap, especially if someone has already claimed the coveted Felt Den.

A two photo split of a black and white cat sitting on the Omlet cat tree. In the first photo he cat is sitting on a small cushioned step. In the second photo the cat is loafing on a large platform near the base.

Scratchers: Both of my cats love scratching and stretching after a long nap. And what cat doesn’t love sinking their claws into cardboard. The reason I chose to place the cardboard higher up is that should they slip they have more to grip.

A black and white cat is scratching a cardboard scratcher attached to a platform that is bracing the two tension poles.

Beds: Leon loves beds he can rest his head up against, so the Felt Den was a no-brainer. Felt is also a scent soaker which cats need to claim space and feel more confident.

A flat lay shot of the different Omlet cat tree components laid out on the floor with a black and white cat sitting in the middle looking up at the photographer.

Installation

Everything arrived well-packaged and without damage. Each part was clearly labeled which made the unboxing process smoother.

I’ll admit that at first it felt like a lot of pieces, and to be fair it is, but Omlet provides clear and detailed instruction booklets, visuals, and video guides. Anytime my husband and I got stuck, we just referred back to those guides to get back on track.

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Your Tool Kit

An allen wrench (included)
A level
A screw driver

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Installation went smoothly, considering how many pieces were involved and that I was documenting the process. Still, I’d recommend setting aside a good chunk of time.

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Depending on your setup and whether you’re solo or have help, it will take at least an hour—possibly the better part of the day—like it did for my husband and I. The process isn’t hard, and the instructions are clear, but it is a bit time consuming to get everything assembled.

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Even if you’re not super handy, you can definitely do it, it just might take a bit longer without prior experience.

A man measuring one of the poles of the cat tree while a black and white cat watches from a platform on the ground.

Making Adjustments

One of the best parts of this modular system is how flexible it is. Even if you start with one layout in mind, you can rearrange the pieces later, or expand your setup entirely.

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For example, if your cat has trouble using a platform at a certain angle or height, you can simply unscrew the arm and adjust its position on the pole to better suit their needs.

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In our case, we initially planned to place both cross platforms near the top. But since we chose not to use the center support brackets, we reconfigured the layout to improve stability.

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We spaced one cross-platform near the top and the other closer to the base, which helped counterbalance the weight. Because of that, the poles barely move, even when the cats leap between them. It’s the same design principle of balance and stability behind a floor based cat condo.

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Before and After

Before photo of a bay window with 3 windows and plantation shutters open

After photo of a cat perched on a tension pole cat tree looking out the windows

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Since the original shutters swung outward to let in more light, we had to remove them to make room for the poles. That meant finding a new solution for privacy since these windows face the front of the house.

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We ended up adding blackout curtains, which we’ve used before and loved from Half Price Drapes. I’ll share more details about them in a future post.

My Experience with Omlet

First Impressions

Like I mentioned earlier, when we first opened the boxes, it honestly felt a little overwhelming with all the parts. And at the same time I was really excited, it was clear right away this wasn’t your average cat tree. The materials felt high quality, and the system looked thoughtfully engineered. I had a sense this was going to be something special for the cats.

A brown tabby cat laying on a cardboard box that also has one of the bamboo platforms inside it.

My Cats’ Reactions

From the moment we started unboxing, both cats were curious. Climbing into the packaging and inspecting every piece like they knew it was for them. A promising start.

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Once it was fully assembled, Luna was the first to claim it by making herself comfortable in the felt cave that very same day.

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Leon, surprisingly, was more hesitant. Normally the more outgoing of the two, he needed a few days and some treats to warm up to the new setup. But once he realized what it was for, he fell in love. You could see the moment it clicked for him, his eyes just lit up, and he got all cozy on a platform for the rest of the day. Since then, he sleeps there daily like clockwork.

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The cats’ favorite spots are the felt cave at the top, the large lounging platforms, and the cardboard scratcher for stretching after a long nap. They rarely touch the smaller steps or sisal ramp, preferring instead to leap on and off from the top of the couch.

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The best part? There’s been no more fighting in that area. I’ll gladly take couch parkour over turf wars any day.

A black and white cat perched on the top of a couch next to the Omlet Indoor Freestyle cat tree.

F.A.Q

How stable is the Freestyle Cat Tree?

While I can’t speak to the stability of a single pole setup, our two-pole configuration feels incredibly solid. There’s virtually no movement, even when the cats leap between platforms. I’ve never seen a sturdier freestanding pole system. I imagine adding a third pole would make it even more rock-solid.

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Tips for maximizing stability:

If you're using just one pole, I highly recommend adding the wall brace to minimize any wobble.
Consider how you distribute the platforms. Balancing different sizes and weights on either side of the pole helps create a more stable, cat-friendly layout.

A brown tabby cat curled up on his back looking at the camera with a grin as he lounges on a cushioned platform from Omlet.

Can it support large or heavy cats?

Absolutely. The Freestyle Cat Tree is built to handle cats of all sizes (yes, even Maine Coons). My two cats are 8 lbs and 14 lbs, and the setup stays still, even when my heavier cat leaps between platforms.

Is it easy to clean and maintain?

Yes. I haven’t needed to do much upkeep so far but the materials they use seem very low-maintenance so far.

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The platforms and accessories can be wiped down with a damp cloth, and the cushions and felt cave are easy to vacuum when they collect fur. Plus, since the components are modular, you can easily remove cushions or rearrange platforms if you ever want to deep clean or refresh the setup.

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The cardboard pieces will need to be replaced periodically depending on your cat's usage.

What does Omlet’s Freestyle Cat Tree cost?

The Omlet Freestyle Cat Tree is a customizable, modular system, so pricing depends on the components you choose.

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The Indoor Freestyle Cat Tree starts at $79.99 for a basic vertical pole kit.
Accessories like platforms, hammocks, steps, and scratchers are priced individually.

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You can build your setup gradually or all at once, depending on your budget. If you need help estimating the total cost for your desired setup they have a great free design tool to help you visualize and price out each piece.

A screenshot of the design tool for customizing your Omlet cat tree.

Shop Our Cat Tree

Prices were accurate at the time of writing this post.

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Here’s what we selected for our cat tree:

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Omlet also has pre-made designs. You can purchase the Omlet Freestyle Cat Tree directly from Omlet's website.:

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Shop Omlet’s Indoor Freestyle Cat Tree

Is the Omlet’s Freestyle Cat Tree Worth It?

For me personally, yes, I would recommend the Omlet Freestyle Cat Tree as a worthwhile investment. Specifically, for cat guardians seeking a customizable, space-saving, and enriching solution to add height to their cat’s world. Whilst the initial cost may be higher than traditional cat trees, the Freestyle's style and durability offer long-term value versus alternatives where you might end up investing more in replacements.

Best For:

Indoor cats needing exercise and vertical safe space
Both single and multi-cat households
All cat sizes and ages (even Maine Coons)
Renters and homeowners alike

Not Ideal For:

A budget-friendly option—the Freestyle system is an investment but one that’s built to last
Cats with mobility or visual impairments
Ceilings above 14ft 5.2 in

A black and white cat walking between platforms on the Omlet Freestyle Cat Tree.

Conclusion

Turning our bay window into a vertical playground with Omlet’s Freestyle Cat Tree completely changed how my cats interact with the space and each other. What was an underused, tension-filled corner is now a favorite hangout spot where they can climb, lounge, and feel secure.

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If you’re looking to invest in something that genuinely enhances your cat’s environment through vertical space, I think the Freestyle Cat Tree is absolutely worth considering. It’s not just for cats but for the people who live with them too.

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