How To Make A DIY Wooden Pet Bed

After 50 years of woodworking, you’d think I’ve crafted just about everything under the sun. But there’s one project that's been on my mind lately - a DIY wooden pet bed. You see, after all these years, I've come to realize that people really do love their pets, and I'm no exception.

So, this DIY project is for my furry companion. Sure, it might not be the most complex or groundbreaking project out there, but it’s definitely a fun one to make. And it’s not just about spoiling my dog rotten (although that’s definitely a part of it); it’s about creating something with my own hands for someone that I care about.

Let’s get cracking.

 

Cut List

Piece	Qty	Dimensions (Inch)	Thickness
Front/Back Rail	3	30-1/2 x 3-1/2	3/4
Side Rail	4	22 x 3-1/2	3/4
Bottom Rail	7	22 x 3-1/2	3/4
Corner Post	4	8-1/2 x 3-1/2	3/4
Bottom Support	2	27 1/2 x 1-1/2	3/4

Materials

Item	Qty	Specification
Wood glue	1
Wood stain	1
Wood paint	1
Wood filler	1
Sandpaper	2	80, 150 grit
Wood screws	1 pac	1-1/4
Wood screws	1 pac	2”
Finish nails	1	1-¼” 16 Gauge Finish Nail

Tools

• Circular saw or miter saw
• Drill
• Clamps
• Sander
• Nail Gun

Process

Step 1:

Begin by cutting out all the necessary bed parts and sanding them smooth using 120-150 grit sandpaper.

Step 2:

Position and secure the bottom support to the front and back rails, ensuring it is centered and placed 3/4 from the top and in the middle of the width. Use 1 ¼” wood screws for attachment. 

Step 3:

Attach the side rails to the corner posts, positioning them 3/4 on one side of the post and 3/4 after the lower rail. Secure them in place using 1 ¼” wood screws.

Step 4:

Create pilot holes in the front and back rails. Then, assemble two box sides by joining the front and back lower rails with the side rails. Secure the pieces together with clamps and 2" wood screws.

Step 5:

Attach the upper back rail to the corner posts using 2" wood screws.

Step 6:

Secure the bottom rails to the bottom supports using wood glue and nails for added stability.

Step 7:

Finish the pet bed by painting or staining it according to your preference.

Pro Tip: Paint or Stain to Match Your Furniture

Feel free to customize this pet bed to fit seamlessly into your home decor by painting or staining it to match the furniture in the room where you plan to place it. Yes, you can definitely get creative!

While I haven't done this step for this specific project, I did paint the house number planter box and the key holder that I made -- might be worth checking out if you wanted to do other functional DIY projects for your home.

Final Thoughts

With that, your pet's new favorite spot is complete. All that’s left to do is add some cushions or blankets on top to make it extra comfortable. I must say, I’m pretty happy with the result.

And let’s face it – our pets have a way of taking over the house, don’t they? But with their very own bed, they’ll have a designated spot to curl up and relax, giving us a bit of breathing room (and maybe reclaiming a bit of territory in the process).

I hope you found value in this post, and if you give the project a try, may your pet find as much joy in it as mine does!