Plastic storage totes (such as 18-to-30-gallon Rubbermaid or Sterilite bins) are the gold standard for building cheap, durable, and 100% waterproof DIY outdoor cat houses. They cost between $8 and $15, resist heavy rain, snow, and wind, and can be fully insulated to protect feral, community, or barn cats all winter long.

Here are 10 cheap, practical outdoor plastic storage tote cat house DIY ideas with insulation tips, predator safety setups, and weatherproofing hacks.

Essential Rules for Plastic Tote Outdoor Cat Shelters

  • Straw Only for Bedding (Never Hay, Blankets, or Towels): Blankets, towels, and hay absorb moisture and freeze solid in winter, robbing a cat of body heat. Clean golden straw repels moisture and allows cats to burrow in natural heat-trapping air pockets.
  • Elevate Off the Ground: Place the tote on wooden pallets, bricks, or 2×4 wood blocks to prevent freezing ground temperatures and puddle water from chilling the plastic base.
  • Cut Round 5.5 to 6-Inch Entry Holes: A 5.5 to 6-inch circle allows a cat in while keeping out larger predators like dogs, coyotes, and raccoons. Cut the hole 2 to 3 inches above the bottom rim so rain and snow don’t spill inside.
  • Prevent Plastic Cracking When Cutting: Use a utility knife heated with a lighter, a hot knife tool, or a 5.5-inch hole-saw drill bit on low speed to slice through plastic smoothly without shattering the bin wall.