Want to learn how to make a dog bed? There are a lot of great, imaginative DIY dog bed ideas for pet parents, and most don’t take long. Once you’re done, your beloved pup will have a soft, cozy place to snooze – and you may save some money in the process.
No matter what size of dog you have, you’ll find the perfect DIY dog bed idea. Whether you’re hoping to keep your dog’s bed in the living room, the bedroom, or in a corner of your office floor, here are a few ideas and instructions to help you make the perfect bed for your perfect pet.
Some Ideas For Your DIY Dog Bed Project
When it comes to making your own DIY dog bed, you’ve got lots of options. Looking to repurpose something around your home? You could even take an everyday cabinet and turn it into a fold-away dog bed that you can hide away when it’s not being used.1
How To Make A Dog Bed Without Needing To Sew
Even if you’re not handy with a needle and thread, or you don’t have a sewing machine, you can still make a dog bed easily and quickly. Here’s how to do it.
Figure Out The Bed Size You Want
The size of the bed will largely depend on the size of your dog. You’ll need to cut down the fabric you use to make the bed, so make sure you get about 12 inches extra for each side.
- Petite dog (like a Miniature Poodle) – 15 inches wide by 17 inches long
- Small dog (like a Pomeranian or a Yorkie) – 18 inches wide by 24 inches long
- Medium-size dog (Beagle, Border Collie, etc.) – 21 inches wide by 30 inches long
- Large dog (Boxer, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, etc.) – 23 inches wide by 36 inches long
If you have a huge dog, like a St. Bernard, then you should plan on your bed being anywhere from 28-30 inches wide by 42-48 inches long.
Next, you’ll want to gather the materials you’ll need to make the bed. Get a couple of pieces of fleece fabric and a cushion for the middle of the bed. You can use an old pillow, a piece of memory foam, or something similar. You’ll also need some fabric scissors and a ruler or measuring tape.2
Putting It All Together
- First, take one of the pieces of fabric and place it face down. You can put it on the floor or a big table.
- Put the cushion in the middle of the first piece of fabric.
- Use the second piece of fabric to cover the cushion.
- Grab the ruler or measuring tape and cut the fabric to the recommended size. Try to leave about six extra inches of excess fabric on all sides of the bed.
- Cut that extra fabric on each side of the bed into strips. Then, double knot those strips, and you’ll be done.3
Another Idea For An Inexpensive DIY Dog Bed
This dog bed is going to take a little more effort, but it’s still a much less expensive alternative than getting one from your local pet store. The materials shouldn’t run you more than $25 for a medium-size dog. If you have a really big pooch, you might want to double the amount of fabric you buy. You’ll also need to get a larger mattress pad.
What You’ll Need
- Memory foam mattress pad (1 inch thick – fold in half to make a 2-inch thick cushion)
- A zipper (at least 22 inches long)
- Outdoor fabric (about 2 yards worth)
- Thread
- Scissors
- A sewing machine4
Putting It Together, Step By Step
- What you’re basically doing is making a pillowcase that will hold the mattress pad. Turn the fabric inside out, and fit it to the pad. You’ll have some fabric scraps left over that you can use in some other DIY project around the house.
- Sew three of the four sides together, and then attach the zipper and sew it in as well.
- Once that’s done, open the zipper and insert the mattress pad. Having a zipper will allow you to remove the stuffing and wash the fabric.5
How To Make A DIY Dog Bed Out Of A Couple Of Old Pillows
If you have a couple of pillows that are just taking up space in your closet or elsewhere in your home, you could turn those pillows into a great place for your pet to snuggle.
What You’ll Need
- Fleece (one piece – 36 inches by 78 inches)
- Two pillows (for this particular bed, they should be no larger than 17 inches by 36 inches.
- Thread
- Measuring tape
- A marking pen
- A sewing machine
- Scissors
- Pins
How To Do It
- Fold the shorter ends of the fleece over about a half an inch. Pin the fold and stitch each end.
- Fold the other sides in about a half an inch as well, so the fleece forms a rectangle. Stitch one of those sides together.
- Slide the pillows into the open end and then stitch the end closed.
- Put the bed on your floor or inside your puppy crate and then watch your dog snooze away.6
Want To Try Something Out Of The Ordinary? Turn A Recycled Tire Into A DIY Dog Bed
Granted, this is definitely out of the box. But you can easily make a tire into a dog bed with very little effort. You’ll not only have a great bed for your pooch, you’ll also have an excellent conversation piece. Even better, you’ll keep that tire from taking up more space in a landfill.
What You’ll Need
A used tire (you can probably get one from your local tire shop)- Spray paint that adheres to rubber (use a color that matches your home’s decor)
- An old, flat box (to set the tire on while you paint it)
- Adhesive felt pads
- A round pillow (anywhere from 30-34 inches wide)
- Soap and water (dish soap will be fine)
- A bristle brush with stiff bristles
How To Do It
- Scrub the tire clean using the brush, soap, and water. If you see debris in the treads, you can pick it out using a nail. It’s not really necessary, but it also won’t hurt.
- Rinse the tire thoroughly, and let it dry. It should take about an hour.
- Spray paint the tire. You won’t be able to get the whole thing at once. You’ll need to rotate the tire to get to the part that’s sitting on the flattened box. Use two coats if you like.
- Add the felt pads to the bottom of the tire after the paint dries. These will help keep your floor protected.
- Add the pillow, and that’s it.7
Good Luck, And Have Fun
Whether you want to make a simple bed or you want to get more involved, have fun with your project. The end result will be a great place for your pet to snuggle.
Learn More:
- DIY Dog Bathing: Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipes
- How To Stop Your Dog From Chewing Their Bed
- DIY Pets: How To Make A Flirt Pole Toy For Your Dog Or Cat
Sources
1 https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/diy-dog-bed-36813061
2 https://www.prouddogmom.com/diy-no-sew-dog-bed/
3 https://www.prouddogmom.com/diy-no-sew-dog-bed/
4 https://www.diynetwork.com/made-and-remade/make-it/how-to-make-a-durable-dog-bed-for-less-than-25
5 https://www.diynetwork.com/made-and-remade/make-it/how-to-make-a-durable-dog-bed-for-less-than-25
6 https://www.onecrazymom.com/diy-dog-bed/
7 https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/diy-dog-bed-from-a-recycled-tire/
