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Last updated on October 2, 2026
Where to put a litter box in a small apartment comes down to one tradeoff. Hide it too well and the smell builds up. Leave it out and you have to look at it. There’s rarely a perfect spot, so the goal is the one that causes the fewest problems.
This guide covers the spots that work, the one mistake that makes small-apartment boxes smell worse, and how to keep litter off your floors.
The best place to put a litter box in a small apartment is a low-traffic spot with airflow that’s easy to clean every day. A bathroom corner, an open closet with a curtain, a spot near a window or a quiet bedroom corner all work.
Quick Picks
Best High-Sided Box for Bedrooms: IRIS USA XXL Open Top
Best Stainless Box for Closets: Tevila Stainless Steel with High Sides
Best Mat for Tight Spaces: Large Silicone Cat Litter Mat
Best Low-Dust Litter for Small Rooms: Arm & Hammer Cloud Control Platinum
The Biggest Mistake: Sealing the Box Away
The first instinct is to hide it in a closed cabinet, a closet with the door shut or a tight enclosure. That usually makes things worse.
When air can’t move, odor and moisture build up around the box. Then every time your cat uses it, that smell spills into the room all at once. A box that’s hard to reach also gets scooped less often, and in a small apartment even one missed day shows.
So block the view, not the airflow. A curtain instead of a door, furniture with an open back or a corner near a window all keep the box out of sight without trapping smell.
Spots That Work in Small Apartments
A bathroom corner
A litter box placed in a tight bathroom corner, a common and practical solution in small apartments.
This is the most common choice, and it works if there’s room for your cat to get in, turn and get out easily. If the bathroom is so tight that you can’t reach the box to scoop, pick somewhere else.
An open closet with a curtain
Take the closet door off or leave it open, and hang a curtain instead. It hides the box while air still moves in and out.
Use a full-size box here, not a compact one. Small boxes get messy faster, and the mess shows more in a tight space. A stainless steel box like the Tevila Stainless Steel Litter Box with High Sides is an open-top option, and several reviewers say waste and litter don’t cling to it the way they did to plastic, so it’s quick to clean. Stainless steel also doesn’t hold odor the way worn plastic can. Our guide on whether stainless steel litter boxes are better covers the difference.
Near a window or balcony door
Any natural airflow helps move odor out instead of letting it sit, as long as the spot isn’t drafty, noisy or exposed to frequent foot traffic. It’s one of the easiest improvements you can make without buying anything.
A bedroom corner
When space is limited, a bedroom corner can become the most practical place for a litter box.
In a studio or a shared apartment, the bedroom is often the only realistic option. That’s normal.
Pick the corner farthest from your bed, near a window if you can. A box with high sides keeps litter contained in a room you sleep in. The IRIS USA Extra Large Open Top Litter Box has 14-inch sides and an open top, so it contains mess without trapping air. Pair it with a low-dust litter, since dust lingers in a small room. Arm & Hammer Cloud Control Platinum is a clay litter reviewers describe as exceptionally low in dust.
Modified furniture
Some furniture enclosures are quite closed off, which can make odor build up faster if airflow is limited. Designs with a larger opening or open back are easier to ventilate. Furniture you already own can work too if you take off the back panel or cut a wider side opening. If you’d rather buy one, our guide to litter box furniture covers designs that fit a full-size box.
Keeping Litter Off the Floor
Even when tucked away, litter boxes can still track mess into nearby living spaces.
In a small apartment, a few pieces of scattered litter make the whole place feel dirty, and on carpet it gets pressed in.
Start with the box. High sides keep litter in when your cat digs and kicks.
Then catch what comes out on paws. One small mat usually isn’t enough in a tight space, because litter goes around it. A large mat works better. The Silicone Cat Litter Mat is big enough for two large boxes, stays in place and is soft underfoot. On carpet, it also protects the floor under the box from spills and misses.
If tracking is a problem, you can angle the box opening toward a nearby wall or corner so your cat has to cross more of the mat before reaching the room. Our litter tracking solutions guide covers more fixes.
Make It Easy to Keep Clean
Keeping litter, a scoop, and a trash bin close by makes daily cleaning much easier in small spaces.
The best spot is the one you’ll actually clean every day.
Scoop at least daily. Keep the scoop, a sealed litter container and a small covered bin for waste right next to the box, so cleaning takes seconds. Skip strongly scented deodorizers. They can add fragrance without fixing the source of the odor, and some cats prefer unscented litter-box setups.
If you have more than one cat, aim for one box per cat plus one extra, spread across separate accessible spots where possible. See how many litter boxes per cat you need.
Placing litter boxes in separate areas can make small apartments easier to manage and reduce stress for cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a litter box in my bedroom?
Yes, and in a small apartment it’s often the only option. Keep it as far from your bed as you can, near airflow if possible, and scoop daily.
Is a litter box in a small open closet okay?
Yes, if the closet stays open, the box fits comfortably, and your cat can enter, turn and leave without feeling boxed in. A curtain is better than a closed door if you want to hide the view.
Is the bathroom the best place for a litter box?
Only if there’s enough room to use it and clean it comfortably. If the box feels cramped or awkward to reach, it usually won’t work long term.
Where should you not put a litter box?
Avoid spots right next to where you eat, busy walkways, sealed cabinets or closets, and directly under air intake vents.
Is a covered litter box better for small apartments?
Not always. A cover hides the box, but it can hold odor inside. Our guide on whether a closed litter box is better covers the tradeoffs.
