5 DIY Dog Beds Fur Your Best Friend

Our furry friends, or fur children, can require a lot of attention from us. And, of course, we happily give into them. Those who say that owning a pet can get expensive knows exactly what they are talking about. We naturally want to give our pets the best, but often forget that we can also easily use DIY projects to recreate expensive items like dog beds.

Dog beds can get expensive, but luckily, we have five different ways for you to make your own DIY dog bed. You can essentially use these beds for any other pets you may have in your home too. With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can effortlessly learn how to make the perfect bed for your fur baby.

The No-Sew Option

Let’s face it, some of us just aren’t comfortable with using a sewing machine, or don’t have the skillset to hand sew a bed. Thankfully, there is a pretty easy no-sew option that you can easily create for your pet. A DIY dog bed has never been easier.

You’ll need:

• 1 yard of two different patterned fleece fabric of your choice
• 1 bag of batting
• Fabric shears
• A yardstick

Instructions:

1. Lay your fabric out flat in front of you. Layer them directly on top of each other and eyeball how big you want your dog or cat’s bed to be. Decide how big you want it, and measure out at least 8-inches to add to that all the way around.
2. Cut off the selvage line first, then cut off the excess fabric that you just measured out.
3. Now it’s time to add some fringe. Measure and mark 4-inches from each corner, and create a square box. Leave those boxes untouched, as you will be cutting them later.
4. Begin cutting your fringe; cut a slit every inch or so, depending on how fine you want your fringe to be. Do this all around. Then cut the boxes from each corner.
5. Begin at one corner, and start to knot together one piece of fringe from on fabric to another. You should leave one side unfinished for your stuffing.
6. Use the batting to stuff your pet’s new bed to your desire. When you’re finished simply repeat the knots you were making to close up the bed.
7. Lay it out and let your pet enjoy their new DIY bed!

A Reclaimed Castle

When they say another person’s trash is another’s person’s treasure, they were probably referring to this project. You will be taking an old side table, or nightstand with four legs, and turning it into a feminine castle-esque project.

You’ll need:

• An old side table, or a small table with four legs
• Latex paint
• Paintbrushes
• Sandpaper or a sander
• A sized pillow or fluffy blanket

Instructions:

1. The point is to have the base of this bed already made. It will be an old side table with four legs. Sand it down to remove the previous finish, and create a new, smooth surface. Also, use the sandpaper to ensure you get rid of any rough spots that could harm your pet.
2. Clean the surface of the table, and dust it off to ensure no residue will mix with the paint.
3. Choose the color of your choice to paint all over. Then use a secondary color and a small brush to add accents to the legs.
4. Let the piece dry
5. Once it’s fully dry turn it over and paint the inside, or use wallpaper to cover the bottom.
6. Wait for it to set.
7. Place a pillow inside of the base, and now your pet has a little castle of their own.

DIY Pallet Dog Bed

Another simple dog bed option is to reuse an old wood palette for your bed. This is a simple process that you can finish within just a couple of hours.

You’ll need:

• A drill
• A reciprocating saw
• An orbit sander
• A palette
• Sandpaper (80 and 120 grit)
• 4 steel swivel casters
• Gorilla glue
• Wood screws
• 4 corner braces

Instructions:

1. Measure your palette to you and your pup’s liking. Due to the variance in pet sizes, there aren’t exact measurements so you’ll have to do this by eye and using your own measurements.
2. Take your saw and cut the palette where you’ve marked it. This can be used as the headboard of the pallet bed.
3. Use your 80 grit sandpaper with your sander and begin smoothing the palette all over.
4. Then use your 120 grit paper to finish the rest of the job and ensure you’ve nixed any possible splinters.
5. Lay your headboard flat against the palette bed where you wanted to place it, and use your screwdriver to attach them together with your wood screws.
6. You can leave the bed as is, as a simple palette, or at sides to its as well. Think of the sides like couch arms. Cut leftovers from your palette, or separate wood boards to fit the palette with the headboard attached.
7. Sand down the sides for splinters.
8. Use Gorilla Glue to secure the sides first. Then use your screwdriver to attach the sides to the headboard.
9. Attached two corner braces to each of the arms.
10. You can stop here if you’d like. Or you can go on to attach the casters for a rolling bed.
11. Flip the palette bed over and screw one wheel to each corner of the palette. Add a doge mattress of a blanket and you’ve got a DIY bed for your dog.
12. Feel free to paint it as well and add some flare with color.

The DIY Kennel

Pet kennels are popular among pet owners. This DIY really takes a simple kennel and turns it into a household staple. With a finished product, you can have a pretty big kennel that doubles as a very useful table top. The instructions are for a big kennel; one that measures 24-inches wide x 27-inches tall x 36-inches long.

You’ll need:

• One 24-inches x 36-inches pine project Panel, or ¾-inch plywood or MDF
• Five 1×3 boards that at 8-feet long
• One sheet of ¼-inch plywood
• Four 1×2 boards that are 8-feet long
• A set of hinges
• One latch
• 1 ¼-inch pocket hole screws
• 7/8-inch wood screws (or shorter)
• Wood glue
• 120 grit sandpaper
• Primer
• Wood conditioner
• A tape measure
• A speed square
• A pencil
• Safety glasses
• A drill
• A circular saw
• A drill bit set

Instructions:

First, you’ll need to follow the cut list, and cut all of the following pieces:

• 21 — 1×2 @ 6-inches (Rails)
• 6 — 1×3 @ 30 1/2-inches (Side Boards)
• 4 — 1×2 @ 26 1/4-inches (Side Legs)
• 4 — 1×3 @ 26 1/4-inches (End Legs)
• 1 — 1/4? Plywood @ 17 3/4-inches x 33 1/2-inches
• 1 — 1/4? Plywood @ 17 3/4-inches x 21-inches
• 5 — 1×3 @ 18-inches (Door Frame and Back Boards)
• 2 — 1×3 @ 17 1/2-inches (Door Top and bottom)
• 2 — 1×2 @ 15 3/4-inches (Door Sides)
• 3 — 1×2 @ 15 3/4-inches (Door Rails)
• Build your side railing first to get this out of the way. You will be building two side railings using the 1 ¼-inch pocket hole screws and wood glue to reinforce your work.
• Put your sides and side railings together using 1 ¼-inch pocket hole screws and wood glue. Nail the plywood from the inside so you can’t see any mistakes.
• Add plywood to the sides with your 7/8-inch screws and wood glue.
• Then start on the building the end using 1¼-inch pocket hole screws and wood glue. Use your plywood to close the end.
• Mark and screw together the door frame using 11/4-inch pocket hole screws and glue.
• Begin to build the door and attach the set of hinges. Then use the hinges to attach the door to the door frame.
• Use your 120 grit sandpaper and sand everything to a smooth finish.
• Now that you have put together the four walls, all you need is the top and bottom. Attach the bottom first, by screwing it. Then attach the top.
• Use your 120 grit sandpaper again to sand both the top and bottom.
• Now you can paint your new kennel/table and put it to good use.

A Repurposed Bed

Another creative way to reduce and reuse is to repurpose something for your pet. Why not repurpose some of the items around your home for the ultimate DIY dog bed?

If you’ve been renewing some areas of your home, and buying new items like a dresser, try turning one of the drawers into a bed. Or use a basket or a wine crate for a similar effect. There are many ways to customize these items. You could send them down and paint them. Or you can line them with a cut, thick fabric and insert a palette for comfort. There are various ways you can make it cozy for your pet, and beautiful to look at.

You can also use a suitcase or even a tire to as a base for your pet’s bed. There also the idea of using something like a wagon by removing the wheels and axel. You can also use your old sheets and pillows and easily make your DIY dog bed, and then add the stuffing. These are much easier DIY projects. All you need is to have a base to work with. Then you can work on the décor aspect of it in order to give your pet a brand new bed, and give your items a second life.

Upcycling is a creative and eco-friendly way to give your dog or cat a gorgeous new bed. There’s no limit, it just all really depends on far you are willing to take on the project, and how much time you are willing to dedicate to it.

Add-Ons

A happy pup makes for a happy home. It’s not hard to keep your pet happy. You really just have to ensure that you pay attention to them and make sure that they are comfortable. Simple care and love are really what they need. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to give them treats every now — they deserve it! We have 7 homemade dog treats you need to share with your furry friends.