The Hideaway Cabinet was designed as a dual-purpose furniture piece that functions as both a modern storage cabinet and a concealed litter box enclosure. The project focused on creating a piece that blended into a living space aesthetically while solving common usability issues found in mass-produced pet furniture, such as poor durability, difficult cleaning access, and low-quality materials.
Built from reclaimed hardwood sourced from a former whiskey rickhouse, the cabinet was designed and constructed with longevity, ventilation, and maintenance in mind. Key design decisions included integrating hidden ventilation, creating easy-clean interior surfaces, and balancing functional dimensions with clean, modern proportions suitable for a living room environment. Throughout the process, material limitations and reclaimed wood characteristics informed several construction and design adjustments.
This project strengthened my understanding of designing around real-world constraints, material-driven problem solving, and the relationship between craftsmanship and functional product design.
