If you have a home-based office, you likely have to deal with a lot of distractions. One of those distractions may very well be your cat. From demanding belly rubs to planting themselves squarely in the middle of your keyboard, it can be awfully difficult to get any work done with a restless kitty around.
That’s why Ruan Hao of Hong Kong’s LYCS Architecture created the CATable. The CATable is a desk that features a flat top with a series of kitten-sized cubbyholes below.
The idea behind the desk is that it should keep your cat more interested in crawling through the lower level than walking through the middle of your workspace or sitting on your laptop.
The designer explained a bit about the idea behind CATable on the company’s website:
“Their curiosity would be greatly satisfied through repetitively exploring the unknown path behind the hole… It is a table for us and a paradise for cats.”
Of course, cat owners want to keep their cats happy. But as more and more entrepreneurs start businesses that allow them to work from home, entertaining feline friends yourself isn’t always feasible without sacrificing productivity.
There are already tons of products available for your cat’s climbing needs, from cat trees to shelves, various cat furniture and even kitty condos. But one of the aspects of the CATable that could appeal to cat owners is that it offers the opportunity to keep your cat nearby while you work.
Small business owners often work long hours and don’t always have the time to separate work and home life. So a piece of furniture like this has the potential to help you get more done while still spending quality time with your pets.
The desk was recently displayed during Milan Design Week and there is no telling yet when it might be available for sale. But it does show one way in which designers are beginning to think about work-life balance — including for home-based business owners.
Images: Lycs Architecture
Cool idea. I like it.
I think it might work as a distraction for some cats and not for others. Not all cats are the same. Some might try it, get bored after a while and go back to how it was before the table came.
Annie Pilon
Yeah, I’m sure it would work differently for different cats, but it is definitely an interesting concept!
Winnie
This is a great idea but one thing that attracts them to the key board and to your lap is the warmth. I wonder if the warmth from the computer would radiate enough through the top.
The one thing I’d change is I’d make the top wider to accommodate a keyboard tray.
Great idea though.
I don’t really know how wood, thickness of wood and the absorption of heat work. If the computer’s on long enough, perhaps it would eventually radiate through the top. I don’t know.
Annie Pilon
Hmm… I’m not sure, but that is a good question! Maybe they will test it out a bit before actually releasing it and add some practical features like heat radiation?
Richard
This is interesting… I don’t know about this but is this strong?? Because it’s not balance, the four leg. What if people will lean on it??? If this is for cats only, this is fun watching them roaming around just like playing hide and seek. But this is cool!!! Never seen one.