instructables

DIY Dog Bunk Beds

by lanavonhaught

Create your own doggie bunk beds!
Don’t have enough room for all those on-the-floor dog
beds? Why not build some bunks! And if you’re
looking for some help in training your dog to go to
their new bunk bed, please check out the positive-
methods training video I made with my friend Paul
Owens, the Original Dog Whisperer .

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 1

Step 1: Gather Your Materials and Tools

Shopping list:

1 @ 8' 1x6
1 @ 6' 1x6
1 @ 6' 1x3
1 @ 10' 2x6
2 @ 10' 2x2
1 sheet of 7/16" OSB (if possible, get it cut when you buy it--you'll need 2 pieces at the dimensions
of your beds minus 3/8"--in my case, 2 @ 26 5/8" x 35 5/8")
1 1/4" pocket hole screws (if using a Kreg Jig) or #10 biscuits (if using a biscuit joiner)
2" wood screws
1" finishing nails or wood screws
120 grit sandpaper
wood filler
wood glue
finish of choice (wood conditioner/stain/poly or primer/paint)
brush(es) and/or rags.
For the actual bed part, I bought two of these: American Kennel Club Solid Suede Gusset Pet Bed
with Fur Top and the dimensions are 36" wide x 27" deep so that is the size of beds these plans are
designed to fit. If you already have dog beds or are buying beds of a different size, adjust the
measurements to fit your beds.
**EDIT** The AKC dog beds are cr@p. I washed one cover and it fell apart. I also tried the Molly
Mutt dog bed duvet and stuff sack in size Medium/Large. I loved the idea of putting my old clothes
into it because the clothes smelled like me and would hopefully calm my dog while I was away. But
that one also didn’t last. Finally, I got the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Lounge in size Large and they are
perfection. I got them over a year and a half ago and they are still in GREAT condition. So easy to
remove the cover for washing and fits perfectly. Love.

Tools:

Kreg Jig or biscuit joiner and biscuits (I used a biscuit joiner)

clamps
chop saw
tape measure
power drill driver
power nailer (optional)
pencil

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 2

Step 2: Cut Your Wood

To get the most bang for your buck, cut your dimensional lumber as shown above.

Cut list:

2 @ 36" 1x6 (backs- add or subtract depending on your bed size, this is for a 36" wide bed)
2 @ 36" 1x3 (fronts - add or subtract depending on your bed size, this is for a 36" wide bed)
4 @ 18.25 1x6 (sides - add or subtract depending on your bed size, this is for a 27" deep bed)
4 @ 2' 3" 2x6 (legs - this height or whatever height you want)
4 @ 36" 2x2 (side cleats)
4 @ 24" 2x2 (front/back cleats)
2 @ 26 5/8" x 35 5/8" 7/16" OSB (bases - add or subtract depending on your bed size, this is for a
27" deep x 36" wide bed)

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 3

Step 3: Build the Sides

You will need to build two of these sides:

Build the sides of the bunk bed as shown in the diagram with 27" 2x6 legs (or however tall you want
the beds to be) and 18 1/4" 1x6 aprons (change if your bed is different than 27" deep).
Top aprons should be about 1/4" shy of the top of the legs, and bottom aprons flush with the bottom
of the legs.
Both aprons should be flush with the legs on the inside.
Attach using biscuits and wood glue, or pocket holes set for 3/4" stock using 1 1/4" pocket hole
screws.

If you don't know how to join wood using a Kreg Jig, there is a good tutorial here:
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/how-to-use-a-kreg-jig/.

Step 4: Add Front and Back Aprons

You will attach the sides you just made to each other using the front and back aprons:

Attach the 36" 1x3 front aprons and the 36" 1x6 back aprons to the side aprons as shown above.
The bottom of the front and back aprons should be level with the bottom of their adjacent side
aprons.
There should be 27" between the front and back aprons to allow for the plywood.
Use biscuits and wood glue or pocket holes set for 3/4" stock using 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 4

Step 5: Attach the Cleats

This creates the base on which the plywood will sit:

Use glue and 2" wood screws to attach the 24" (sides) and 36" (front and back) 2x2 cleats as shown
above. (The length of the cleats does not have to be exact. I used some 16" 2x2's and a couple of
1x3's as cleats for mine because I had extra lying around.)
If your cleats are shorter and don't go the full length of the inside, center the cleats on each apron.
The bottom of the cleats should be flush with the bottom of the apron to which it is attached.

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 5

Step 6: Finish It Up

I primed and painted my beds but you can also stain and poly to keep the wood showing:

Fill all holes with wood filler and let it dry.

Add more coats of filler if needed, and sand smooth when dry with 120 grit sandpaper in the
direction of the wood grain.
Clean surface of all sawdust, then finish with sealer/stain/poly or primer and paint.

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 6

Step 7: Insert the Plywood

Here are your final steps:

Drop in the plywood bases and then attach them to cleats with either 1 1/2" finishing nails or 1 1/2"
screws. (Note: once the plywood is secured in place, it's hard to make any changes to the beds.)
Put the beds on top of the plywood bases and enjoy!
If the top bed moves around when your pup jumps onto and off of the bed, you can add velcro to
keep the top bed secure.

Step 8: Enjoy!

Larry on top, Buster on the bottom. (Buster would probably like to be on the top bunk since he's the boss, but his
little legs are too short. Maybe I'll attach a rope ladder for him.)

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 7

That is so cute.

I tweaked it a little bit to make it sturdier. Also my bed size was 36" by 24" by 3". I made the
bedding with a foam platform and some fleece fabric from wal mart. All together both of the beds
cost me $46 and wood and other supplies cost $60-$65. I stained the wood instead of painting
because it was cheaper and much prettier. I liked making the beds because I was able to pick
exactly what color I wanted and I can easily change it at anytime. The bed is 36" high, so my
German shepherd pup uses our bed to get on the top bunk until we get some steps. This project
was fun to make and the final product is awesome! It helps save space in our bedroom and looks
much better than some generic dog bedding laying on the floor.

I forgot to post my version of your awesome dog bed! I made it about 6 months ago. It's a good bit
bigger because we have german short haired pointers. Both my dogs LOOOOOOOVE their bed
and sleep in it every night (and most of the day, too, if I'm home). Here's a pic! thanks for the great
instructable!

Adorable. And I LOVE the fabric for the beds! Well done!

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 8

 This is the cutest thing!

Thank you! The cute pups really make it imo.

It certainly doesn't hurt ;)

"shotgun top bunk..."

:)

They have so much more room for activities now!

Ha, yes...yes they do.

Awesome project! I am looking to make something similar but closed in for my two boxers.
What program did you make the drawings with if you dont mind me asking?

Thank you! I used a free program I downloaded called sketchup. Happy building!

DIY Dog Bunk Beds: Page 9