As a self-described cat lady (3 and counting!), I will admit to one (and only one) downside to living with felines: their total and utter disregard for soft furnishings. I don’t even dare total up the damage my cats’ needle-toes have caused to my home over the years.

But still, it took the destruction of a brand-new, custom-made sofa (just three days old!) before I decided there had to be a better way. And it turns out there is.

I was a doubter about cat scratchers. I’d had an old-school carpeted post years before that my cats shunned the entire time it uglied up a corner of my living room. But then I discovered the trick to finding a post they’ll actually use: choosing one made of a material that Jimmy, Francis, and Double-Stuff love even more than linen or velveteen. Those materials? Corrugated cardboard and raw jute. 

And ugly they're not. In fact, this new category of cat scratchers looks as good as it works. There are options like the modular set ahead that would look right at home in a mid-century-inspired home (and protect the Eames armchair in the process), or a bright, whimsical cardboard dachshund scratcher that doubles as a comfy bed, or really any of the 15 styles ahead.