Hello fellow Upcyclers!
Today I’ve got an easy DIY dog bed tutorial for you. I’m going to show you how to make a dog bed without any sewing in a quick, cheap and simple way.
It is extremely easy if you’ve got the right instructions.
This short guide will take you through what you need and how to make your furry friend their very own dog bed – without breaking the bank!
The best part is that you won’t even need fabric scissors!
Table of Contents
Supply List for DIY No-Sew Dog Bed
- Upcycled Cardboard Box – The sturdier the better and as for size, be guided by the size of your pet. For a small dog, use a smaller carton. For a larger dog like a Great Dane, use a larger carton! Just be sure to give your faithful fur-ball plenty of room!
- Scissors
- Pen/Pencil
- Wrapping Paper/Wall Paper – The more hard-wearing this is, the less often you will need to replace it or make a new “bed frame.”
- Double Sided Tape
- Hot Glue
- Old Pillow/Old Cushion/Old Sweater – Nothing fancy needed, just a soft and snuggly, right size pillow. You may need more than one for bigger dogs! If you want to spoil your dog, or if they’re getting old, an offcut of memory foam is a great way to take the strain off their joints.
- Upcycled Fur Mat/Towel/Blanket – Use what you have lying around or what your dog loves most. Fleece is a favorite of many and cotton canvas is great for its durability and ease of cleaning in the washing machine. Get enough fabric to tuck under the padding on all sides.
- (Optional) Craft Knife – Cutting a box can be finickity with scissors, a craft knife will help when getting into tight corners, just mind your fingers!
How to Make an Easy DIY Dog Bed Without Sewing
Step 1: Cut the Box
The first step is to cut the box.
Using your pair of scissors and/or craft knife, cut the top flaps and the front half off the box, just like the picture above.
If you have a cutting mat and craft knife, that’s great, otherwise you can use a ruler to mark out nice, straight lines.
Step 2: Wrap the Box With Your Chosen Paper
Measure the height, width, and length of the box and cut out your wrapping paper to size.
Cover the box using the double sided tape (and the hot glue where necessary) to stick it on. You will need big pieces and some long strips here and there.
If you want the paper to last a bit longer, add an extra layer or two!
Step 3: Add Padding
Time to make it comfy! Insert your chosen padding.
Add some more if it doesn’t reach to the edges, you don’t want to leave too much space around the sides.
You can use a pillow, cushion or stuffing wrapped in fabric for this step.
Step 4: Add a Fur Mat or Blanket
The last step is to add a soft or fluffy layer on top of the pillow/cushion as the dog bed cover.
Great materials for this are fleece blankets, cotton sheets, or old pieces of fabric.
The best part is that the removable cover can be washed and replaced, so it’s not only a comfortable bed, but a fresh-smelling one!
Finished Easy DIY No-Sew Dog Bed!
I’m so happy with the finished DIY dog bed, and not only because it was SO simple! It looks great, and adorable pup 1 and adorable pup 2 are very happy in it.
Top Tips for Making a Dog Bed
Tip 1: It doesn’t have to be a cardboard box!
I have seen some weird and wonderful no sew dog beds made from all sorts of containers, from suitcases to old baskets, and drawers to planters!
It could be a good thing to upcycle something sturdier, as I know that this cardboard box will have a limited life.
Tip 2: It doesn’t have to be a dog bed!
You can use this exact same method for making a cat bed, or even a hamster bed, although they would probably chew through it in the first day…
Tip 3: Thrift store!
If you don’t have an old fleece blanket, or a cushion that you’re prepared to say goodbye to, visit your local thrift store to find some cheap crafting materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make a dog bed out of a fleece blanket, wrap it around pillow or cushion (or three!) and add it to a sturdy cardboard box. To make it easy on the eye, try wrapping your box in a nice wrapping paper or wallpaper first.
The best material to make a dog bed out of has to be durable and ideally washable, so I can recommend cotton canvas as the perfect fabric. It is durable, machine washable, and shouldn’t get long claws caught in it.
As for padding, this is age dependent. Memory foam is the best material to take the strain off an old dog’s joints. For a puppy, you want them to be comfortable but they’re so light and their joints are so flexible that an old pillow or cushion will do the job!
Have you tried asking your dog what type of bedding they like? In case you don’t get a response, I recommend trying different materials to see what your pooch prefers snuggling into.
Try different kinds of cushioning, blankets, bed sheets, old jeans – natural fibers are always best, but if all you’ve got is a polyester fleece fabric, then that may be the best option!
DIY No-Sew Dog Bed
A very simple and easy to make dog bed. The size of this bed can be adapted and made large or small depending on the size of the box you use. You could also choose to use a more hardy container such as an old chest, suitcase or plastic box.
Materials
- Upcycled Cardboard Box
- Wrapping Paper/Wall Paper
- Double Sided Tape
- Pen/Pencil
- Old Pillow/Old Cushion/Old Sweater
- Upcycled Fur Mat/Towel/Blanket
Tools
- Scissors
- Craft Knife (Optional)
- Hot Glue Gun
Instructions
- Remove all the flaps from the box using scissors and cut the front section lower that the other three walls of the box.
- Place the box on the wrapping paper and cut out the right amount, you might need to do this in sections depending on the size of your box.
- Use double sided sticky tape to stick the paper to the box.
- Add padding to the base of the box. This could be a cushion, pillow or old sweater.
- Place a fur blanket or mat on top of the cushion.
- Add dog!
Other DIY Project You Might Like
If you liked how easy this DIY pet bed was, then here are some other DIY projects that you can make with cardboard boxes: