Making a dog bed for your four-legged friend does not need to be a major project that will take a lot of your time. There are projects for those seasoned DIY experts and for those who do not have much experience when it comes to making stuff yourself.
We will look at some of the easiest options and some that need advanced skills, so there is a project for every pet owner. There will be a lot of tips at your disposal to make your project a bit easier and more fun.
Read on and find out which dog bed will be best for your dog and suit your set of skills.
Different Types Of Dog Beds
With so many great ideas for DIY outdoor dog beds available, we made a list of the most popular ones. Choose one from the following list, and it might just become your dog’s favorite place to relax and have a good rest.
Easy PVC Dog Bed
This bed is made from PVC pipes and corner pieces covered with a durable type of fabric. The best type of fabric to use is a cotton/poly mixture, which is quiet and durable, and soft enough for your dog.
This cotton and poly blend of fabric is lightweight and can be found in many different colors and blends.
The diameter of the PVC pipes will depend on what size dog you have, so it will be able to carry its weight. Luckily PVC pipe is quite durable and lightweight, so you carry the completed bed to place it at the best location.
This project will not take long to make, and even those with no previous skills can complete it in less than a day. Many plans for this type of DIY outdoor dog bed are available. Just search for it on Google.
Dresser Drawer Dog Bed
If you have an old dresser at home with at least one drawer still intact, this is a great idea for a dog bed. You can paint it any color you want, which allows you to get the creativity going with all the colors available.
A good quality paint that won’t crack and is pet safe can be used if you are worried about your dog inhaling harmful fumes. The paint should also be washable and waterproof to last for a while in different weather conditions.
Use a good quality paintbrush that can be washed and used later to apply the paint to the drawer dog bed. You can use a small drawer for a small dog, and a large dog will fit nicely in a wide and deep dresser drawer.
This is a great idea if you are into recycling old things that can be reused in and around the house. These rubber feet can be easily attached and will last a while. There are many plans if you need some inspiration.
Used Pallets Outdoor Dog Bed
Making this bed will need a few wood skills and certain tools that are normally in the workshop of DIYers. A good hand tool set with all the basic tools a handyman uses will help you complete this project.
You will also need a good quality drill and driver set to attach the different parts of the dog bed. Those old broken shipping pallets will help complete this project in no time.
For this project, you do not need to have a complete pallet. A few broken ones can be used and cut into the right pieces. If you do not already have one, you can either use a hand saw or get yourself one of those handy circular saws.
If you don’t have one already, the only thing you need to buy is a nice outdoor dog mattress to use with it. For inspiration, you can visit this site and get the full instructions on building a pallet dog bed.
Suitcase Dog Bed
Making this outdoor dog bed will be so easy you will be able to do more than one in a few hours. An old suitcase that needs recycling will come in very handy and what is great is that they are available in different sizes.
If you have a large suitcase, you can easily use it for a medium or larger dog breed. A small suitcase will be great for your small dog breeds, and you can paint it any color you wish.
If you know your dog’s favorite color, choose that or go for your favorite color or one that displays nicely in your yard. Some suitcases already have nice and durable feet attached to them, but you can always add new ones if you need taller ones.
Find furniture feet that can be used outside, like these nice plastic ones that will not be damaged when it gets wet. The only thing you need to add when it is painted with waterproof paint is a nice outdoor pet pillow for your dog.
This is just one of the many ideas for making a suitcase dog bed.
Barrel Dog Bed
You will not need a lot of money to make this outdoor dog bed for your four-legged friend. If you have an old barrel at home you thought of getting rid of, don’t. It can become a nice bed for your dog.
If you do not have an old barrel, you must know someone who has one and wants to get rid of it. To cut it, you need to use a jigsaw, and if you don’t have one get this jigsaw that can be used for future projects.
To make it look better with an accurate display, you can use a good waterproof varnish to make it weatherproof for outdoor use. Using a brush designed for this type of work will give you the best results to make it look professional.
You can now add a nice outdoor mattress for your dog to sleep on or use his favorite mattress. Find a nice plan and instructions so you can get some great ideas to use when making a barrel dog bed.
Outdoor Dog Bed From Old Tire
You will need a big, old tire for a large dog, and for a smaller dog, you can go with any small tire. This is another way to recycle the things that may damage the environment and a better way to give your dog a nice outdoor bed.
If you are worried about the type of paint to use, try out this pet-safe paint with an easy-applying canister. Make sure you clean the tire properly with some dishwashing soap and a sturdy scrub brush to get rid of all the dirt.
This project should take you no more than two hours, including the time for the paint to get dry. A nice waterproof fabric cushion can be worked into the tire’s interior to give your dog a nice place to rest.
While this dog bed is quite heavy, it will not be easily moved around, and your dog can chew on the rubber tire. A strong, durable rubber mat in different sizes can be placed at the bottom to keep it dry. Get great ideas for a tire dog bed here.
End Table Dog Bed
This might sound weird but take that old end table you don’t use anymore and turn it upside down for a new idea. You will find it looks great and can be turned into a quality bed for smaller breeds of dogs.
You can even turn it into an outdoor dog bed by using the right types of waterproof paint on it for decor. You can also use standard rubber furniture feet to lift it and make it even more of an outdoor bed for your dog.
You can use any waterproof mattress in this dog bed to make it a comfortable place for your dog to rest. Go here for inspiration and the instructions to use that old end table to turn it into a dog bed.
This project needs little to no experience and will take only an hour or two to complete and have ready for your dog.
Buy an Outdoor Dog Bed
If you have no skills and are not good at making things, ask someone you know to do it for you; you might be surprised. If you do not know anybody that can do it for you, the only other option is to buy an outdoor bed for your dog.
There are so many dog beds available, and they come in a wide variety of designs and sizes. We made a list of dogs and their sizes to make it easier for you to choose the right type of bed.
- Elevated bed for small dogs
- Mattress style bed for small breed dogs
- Elevated bed for large dog breeds (Can also be used for more than one smaller dog)
- Large dog mattress style dog bed
Conclusion
With so many DIY outdoor dog beds, the possibilities are endless, and many other great ideas are available. Hopefully, this list of ideas will get your creativity going and inspire you to make a nice dog bed.
Take the chance and try out one of these easy projects. Even if you fail, there is no pressure. Just try again.