7 comfortable DIY dog beds you can build on a budget
Making a cozy spot for your furry best friend doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, building or assembling a dog bed yourself is a great weekend project.
It lets you customize the size, look, and softness perfectly for your pup. Building your own dog bed is a lot easier than it sounds. It lets you pick the “perfect size, shape, and softness” for your pet. Plus, it is a fun project that saves you money.
Here are some of the most comfortable DIY dog beds you can build on a budget. They are simple to make and your dog will love them.
Table of Contents
- DIY Elevated Dog Bed With Wood Frame
- DIY Donut Dog Bed
- The Fluffy Cloud Bed
- Pallet Wood Dog Bed
- The Wicker & Fluffy Throw Dog Bed
- The Tufted Bolster Dog Bed
- The Bolster Dog Bed
- Smart Tips For Budget Dog Beds
DIY Elevated Dog Bed With Wood Frame
This bed lifts your pup off the cold floor. It uses a simple wooden rectangle as the base, with sturdy fabric stretched tightly across the top.
It is perfect for hot summer days because air flows underneath. Your dog gets a cool, supportive place to rest, and it looks great in any living room.
Once the sturdy wooden frame is put together, you stretch a tough, breathable fabric across the top and secure it tightly. This design mimics the expensive orthopaedic beds you see in stores but costs a fraction of the price. It is also incredibly easy to wipe down and clean whenever your dog tracks in dirt from outside.
DIY Donut Dog Bed
If your large dog loves to curl up tight and nest, a donut bed is the perfect choice. You can make a massive, cozy circle using soft fleece fabric and plenty of polyester stuffing.
To keep costs low, you can even use old pillows or blankets to stuff the round outer cushion. The raised edges give your dog a comfortable place to rest their heavy head. It acts like a giant, warm hug that keeps them feeling safe and secure all night long.
The Fluffy Cloud Bed
The Fluffy Cloud Bed lives up to its name by being the softest spot in the house. You can create this by sewing together two large pieces of inexpensive faux fur or soft microfiber fabric.
Inside, you fill it up with shredded foam or standard pillow stuffing until it is completely plump. This creates a giant, thick mattress that molds perfectly to your dog’s body shape. It is an excellent budget option for older dogs who need extra padding for their tired muscles and aching joints.
Pallet Wood Dog Bed
Old shipping pallets are often free if you ask around at local shops, making them excellent for budget DIY builds. After sanding down the wood to remove any rough splinters, you can nail the pieces together to form a beautiful rustic bed frame.
The wooden base keeps the bedding stable and looks great in any living room. Simply place an old mattress cushion or a couple of cheap bed pillows inside the frame. Your big dog gets a durable, stylish bed, and you get to recycle materials for next to nothing.
The Wicker & Fluffy Throw Dog Bed
For a quick project that requires zero building skills, look for a large, secondhand wicker basket at a thrift shop. Ensure it is wide enough for your dog to lie down comfortably.
Once you have the basket, line the bottom with a couple of cheap, standard bed pillows for core comfort. Top it off with a super soft, fluffy throw blanket tucked neatly around the edges. This setup looks like an expensive designer pet bed but only costs a few dollars to assemble.
The Tufted Bolster Dog Bed
A tufted bolster bed gives your pet the luxury of a sofa right on the floor. You can use a thick piece of foam for the main mattress and wrap it in a durable fabric canvas.
By sewing simple tufted spots into the cushion, you keep the padding from shifting around under your dog’s weight. Add a long, stuffed tube of fabric along the back and sides to act as the bolster armrest. This gives your large dog a perfect backrest to lean against while they sleep.
The Bolster Dog Bed
This is a simpler take on the classic couch-style dog bed that maximizes sleeping space. You start with a flat, heavy-duty floor cushion as the main sleeping area.
Then, you create a long cushion border that wraps around three sides of the bed, leaving the front open for easy access. You can attach these pieces firmly with strong fabric glue or a simple sewing stitch. It is perfect for large dogs who want the security of side walls but still like to stretch their legs out completely straight.
Smart Tips For Budget Dog Beds
General Advice For Better Builds
When building a bed for a heavy dog, always choose fabrics that can handle some scratching and digging. Canvas, denim, and heavy fleece are cheap and last a long time.
It is also highly smart to make the outer cover easily removable. You can use cheap zippers, velcro, or a simple fold-over design so you can throw the cover into the washing machine whenever it smells like dog.
Practical Tips To Save Money
Before buying new stuffing, look around your house for items you no longer use. Old towels, worn-out t-shirts, and dated bed pillows make excellent, free filling material for pet bedding.
Not only does this save you a lot of money, but the familiar scent of your clothes inside the bed will actually help your large dog feel much more relaxed and comfortable in their new sleeping spot.
