Most pet products follow a familiar development path:
Product idea → Shape → Material
But natural materials invite us to think differently.
What if we started with the material first?
Instead of asking:
“Which material can we apply to this product?”
we can ask:
“What kind of product makes sense because of this material?”
Let the Material Influence the Design
Cork has its own texture, warmth and natural variation.
Rather than hiding these characteristics, they can become part of the product itself.
A curved surface can support scratching and stretching.
A simple form can allow the natural texture to stand out.
Warm, neutral tones can also help cat furniture sit more naturally alongside sofas, rugs and wood furniture.
In this approach, the material isn't simply a finish.
It helps shape the product.
Design Around Cat Behavior
Cats don't experience materials only visually.
They scratch, stretch, climb and rest on them.
That means surface texture and product form should work together.
Different materials—from corrugated cardboard and sisal to cork—create different tactile experiences.
The opportunity is to connect:
Material × Form × Natural Behavior
A scratcher should invite scratching.
A curve can support stretching and resting.
A hideaway should create a comfortable sense of enclosure.
Designed for Shared Living
Pet furniture increasingly lives in the same spaces as the rest of our furniture.
So good design needs to consider both sides:
How will the pet interact with it?
and
How will the product belong in the home?
This is where material-led design becomes especially interesting.
Because better pet furniture isn't only about function or appearance.
It's about bringing the two together.
Comfort for pets shouldn't have to compete with the home around it.
CTA
Developing your next cat furniture collection?
Explore how Percudi approaches materials, structure and product development.