You have to hand it to people.

Sometimes they come up with the craziest ideas about using tools and stuff that were designed for something entirely different. If a product’s designer had a crystal ball into the future, would they cry out in shock or be delightfully pleased with how people managed to use their product?

Well, it depends. Sometimes, people do all sorts of wild stuff with appliances like, say, putting some liquid chemicals in the microwave, and all you can do is cringe at the thought even if you weren’t the product’s designer. But then there are times when people take a product and use it in such a creative and adorable way that the manufacturer had never imagined. Fortunately, one of IKEA’s products is the latter.

IKEA is known for making no-nonsense and functional furniture (as well as their meatballs) but some of their furniture lines have actually proven quite popular to cat owners. We’re talking specifically about the Duktig which started out as “a doll bed with bedlinen set,” but has proven equally popular in its role as a cat throne.

The $14.99 piece probably proved quite attractive because of its design. Either end of the bed has a slot that fits cats to a tee. It’s easy for them to let their tails stick out especially when they’re relaxing. And some owners have even turned them into bunk beds so that multiple cats can take a snooze if they want.

Cats are known for squeezing themselves into oddly-shaped containers but these doll beds allow them to just lay down and relax without needing to contort themselves into a pretzel. And what’s amazing is that cats actually love these contraptions.

We’re sure the guys at IKEA who designed this doll bed had no idea of the uses that pet owners would have for this product but it’s still a happy accident that allowed people to put in a comfortable and safe space for their beloved felines.

Take a look at some examples of these furballs having the time of their lives:

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

 

Replaced!