DIY Dog Bed Instructions: How to Make a Bed for Your Dog

A DIY dog bed is a platform, pad, or structure you construct at home to provide your dog with a place for sleeping or resting. Building a simple dog bed with cheap or discarded materials is an alternative to purchasing a dog bed from a pet store.

Dog beds featuring simple construction steps are easier to complete than others as DIY projects. Here are five designs ideas for your homemade dog bed:

1. 1. Barrel dog bed: Use the wood from an old whiskey barrel or wine barrel to create a luxurious and ergonomic bed for a dog of nearly any size. For beds for small to medium dogs, use a jigsaw to cut the barrel in half, width-wise. Use the same process to split the barrel length-wise for beds for larger dogs.
2. 2. Crate dog bed: This secure, box-shaped dog bed is a fully enclosed space with metal wire mesh and a latched door. A crate bed is an excellent option for containing dogs with anxiety or who are restless at night. Use a memory foam sleeping pad or old pillows for the floor, and drape material around the crate to provide your pet with a safe and comfortable environment.
3. 3. Murphy dog bed: This style of dog bed has mechanical features that make it the most space-saving design you can build. When you lower the bed, your dog can rest. When you stow the bed, you create extra floor space. You can even design the bottom of the murphy bed to imitate the appearance of your cabinets—then, when the bed is in its stowaway position, the faux facade will add to the aesthetics of the room.
4. 4. No-sew dog bed: You can build a functional, machine-washable dog bed without power tools, wood, or any experience with a sewing machine or hand-sewing projects. A no-sew dog bed requires only two pieces of material and some padding to fill the center of the bed. To construct this bed, simply cut enough material to fit the size of your dog and then add roughly four to five inches on each side to cut into fringe-like strips and then knot together all the way around the bed.
5. 5. Pallet dog bed: Use spare wood from a broken wooden crate or a recycled wood pallet to build a dog bed. In most cases, you will need to sand down any rough surfaces on the pallet for your and your dog’s safety. Apply a coat of stain or spray paint to add character to your project.

All DIY projects require some planning. Review these considerations before you begin building your dog bed:

1. 1. Build the bed to fit your dog. Use a measuring tape to outline a rough estimate of your dog’s perimeter when they are in a comfortable sleeping position. Build the interior of the dog bed to these dimensions, or a little larger to allow your dog enough room to stretch out and relax. Accurate dimensions are especially important if you have a large dog that takes up considerable space while sleeping.
2. 2. Choose a design that fits your home décor. Complementary fabrics or small woodworking additions to your dog bed design can tie in nicely with the existing furniture in your living room or bedroom. For instance, use the top of an old end table or side table as a headboard—the wood will match the aesthetic of your interior design while also protecting your walls from damage.
3. 3. Consider using recycled materials. To minimize costs, you can find discarded or discounted furniture online, at a thrift store, or at neighborhood garage sales to use for dog beds. If you own small dogs, old pieces of furniture or household items that you would otherwise toss out might work. For instance, you can upcycle any round or four-sided piece of furniture—such as a recycled tire, a vintage suitcase, or old dresser drawers—to hold padding or blankets.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to build an easy DIY pet bed with spare lumber for your furry friend:

1. 1. Measure your dog. Use a measuring tape to measure your dog, which will ensure you make a bed big enough to fit your dog while it’s sleeping but also small enough to fit in your desired location.
2. 2. Sketch a dog bed design. Research wood designs that accommodate your project budget and skill level. Once you’ve sketched the design and labeled it with your measurements of lumber, begin assembling the items you will need.
3. 3. Collect necessary tools and materials. Depending on the intricacy of your project, you might need specialty tools or equipment. However, for most simple woodworking projects, you can manage with as few tools as a saw, hammer, and nails.
4. 4. Cut the wood to the correct dimensions. Follow the old adage and “measure twice to cut once.” Hook a tape measure on one end of the lumber and pull it past your target length to find the cut mark. At this spot, make a small V-shaped mark (carpenters call this symbol a crow’s foot) with the pointed end of the V denoting where you will cut. Then use a speed square tool or straight-edge ruler to scribe a straight guideline you will follow with your saw. Double-check your measurements to avoid wasting lumber. Then begin to cut.
5. 5. Use fasteners to hold the wood together. Attach your lumber using wood screws, which are inexpensive and will create a tight hold between the pieces. If you use screws on thin boards or near the edges or corners of your project, drill a pilot hole (a small hole that serves as a guide) to prevent the wood from splitting.
6. 6. Stain or paint your dog bed. Apply paint or stain to your dog’s new bed to extend the lifetime of the item. When you take these final steps, it improves the functionality of your work and adds aesthetic value to the project.

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