Lowell Closet
Overview
A Lowell Closet is a multipurpose construction that includes two of the most essential animal-supportive elements for cats—a litter closet and a cat loft—as well as a wardrobe for humans in the same architectural footprint as a typical bedroom closet.
The term “Lowell” comes from the acronym “LWL” which describes the components of the closet from top to bottom: Loft, Wardrobe, Litter.
Lowell Closets come in two major configurations: Fixed and Convertible. Fixed Lowell Closets are easier to construct and best used in owner-occupied homes where the litter closet portion will always be used for cats. Convertible Lowell Closets are more difficult to build are are best used in rental properties or anywhere more flexibility is desired, as they have the ability to be converted into a non-cat mode in which the litter closet is removed and the wardrobe is expanded.
Benefits of a Lowell Closet
For cats
With the litter closet located near the cat loft while still being far enough away for proper separation, cats may feel an even stronger bond to the area. Other than that, cats receive the same benefits as other installations of these two features.
For people with cats
People with cats gain the logistical advantages that come with locating the cat loft and litter closet close to each other, which aids in whole-house design as well as creating smaller cat living areas, when needed. Other than that, people with cats generally receive the same benefits as other installations of these two features.
For people without cats
People without cats gain no additional advantages from a fixed Lowell Closet. However, a convertible Lowell Closet provides an enormous advantage, because it allows people to essentially get rid of the litter box enclosure and reclaim that space to use the entire closet as normal.
For rental property owners
Similarly, rental property owners gain no additional advantages from fixed Lowell Closets, but the added flexibility of convertible Lowell Closets increase the desirability of rental units with them significantly, since the litter closets can be effectively removed for those who will not use them, leaving little trace they were ever there and giving renters a normal, full-size closet to use.