How to Make a DIY Dog Bed from a Suitcase

A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20jenny.creationWe’ll show you how to make a DIY dog bed from a suitcase! It’s a fun project that you can style however you like. With the attached toy holder made from a mail bin, your pup will love it!

The one shown is made from a military shipping case which was perfect, but any straight sided suitcase without padding would work. You just need half of it.  We’ve got step by step photos for you to follow along with. Once you’ve completed this project you can  make a set of matching personalized dog bowls! blank630x20

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blank630x20DIY Dog Bed Supplies

  • 1/2 rectangle type suitcase or military shipping container (found at thrift store)
  • 2″ wooden dowel cut down for legs
  • 2×4 (cut down for inside brace)
  • Peg board (cut down for pillow top)
  • Old pillow
  • Thick soft fabric to cover the pillow stuffing.
  • Button Kit ( to make matching buttons from same material.
  • Spare old buttons for the bottom of the tufting under the peg board
  • Screws
  • Spray paint
  • Staple gun
  • Scissors
  • Mail  holder bin (attached for toys)
  • Clear coat

blank630x20Visual Instructions

I found these  military shipping containers at a thrift store.

A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

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Tape off any areas that you don’t want painted.  I liked the vintage look of the hinges so I decided to keep them. Then spray paint the container your color of choice.  I recommend at least two coats.

A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

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Measure the interior of the container and cut your peg board to fit.  Try to align the holes evenly from each edge so that you can accurately measure for your buttons when it comes time to do the tufting.  Uneven holes mean uneven buttons.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

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I used a reciprocating saw to cut the shape but a circular saw would work just as well.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20

An old standard-sized pillow was used to create the padding.  Depending on the size of your container you may need to remove some of the filling from the pillow or use a larger one.  Either way, cutting a small hole in the pillow will allow you to reach a hand in and reshape the filling, which can sometimes be uneven and bunched up.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

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Be sure to check both sides as you staple to ensure that the pillow lies evenly.  Adjust the filling as you go  if needed.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

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Be sure to pull the pillow tight around the edges.  If too much of the filling wraps around the edges as you staple, then your bed top may not fit into the container.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 DIY Dog Bed from Suitcase 9blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20

Trim off the excess material after stapling to prepare for the fabric.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20Folding over the edges of the fabric prior to stapling gives the bottom a more finished look.  I would recommend placing staples no more than 1/4″ apart to ensure they hold up over time.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20

Measure for buttons and circle the peg holes prior to tufting to ensure they are evenly aligned.  Then thread a long needle with a thicker thread and tie an old button to the end.  Thread the needle up through the marked holes on the bottom and then re-insert it about 1/8″ away from initial point, back through the same peg hole beneath.  You’ll have to press down hard on your pillow padding to get it through.  You’ll want to do this twice, adding your finished button to the top on your second round. Once you have pulled it back out of the bottom for the second time, the attached button gives you leverage to pull the string tight and create your tufted look.  Then wrap the string around the button a few times, tie it off and cut.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20

Second time out, string through your button and reinsert.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20

Measure the length of your container and cut two 2×4’s to fit inside of it lengthwise.  If you are using a shallower container you may need to use 2×3’s or even 2×2’s.  Keep in mind that they should rest on the bottom of the container and their tops should be at least 1″ below the top of the container.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20

Outline where your support beams will go and drill holes so that you can attach them with screws.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20With the support beams firmly mounted to the interior of the container, place the pillow inside.  It should be a tight fit so be sure you don’t tear the fabric as you press it into place.  The peg board bottom should rest firmly on the supports below.  If everything lines up, remove the pillow and prepare to install the feet.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20I opted for a simple 2″ dowel for the feet, cut down to 3″ lengths. A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20

Measure and mark where the feet will go.  Drill holes through the container to attach the feet.  If you purchase self-tapping screws you may be able to screw the legs on directly through the container depending on what materials the container is made of.  Being that mine was a metal-like fiber glass I opted to pre-drill small holes and used the self-tapping screwsA suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

blank630x20 A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!blank630x20Once complete, spray paint the legs and apply a clear coat to protect the bed from scratches.  I would recommend at least 2 coats to hold up against little paws and the occasional cleaning. I suggest using clear coat over it when finished for added protection. DIY Dog Bed from Suitcase 33

blank630x20Right before I put my top back on I opted to attach a small mail bin that I picked up at a craft store for $5.  This gave me a place for my dog toys and a name plate.  I spray painted it the same white and installed it to one side of my container by drilling holes and using some old, small bolts.A suitcase makes the best DIY dog bed! You can style it however you like and we even show you how to attach a toy bin to the side. Your pup will love it!

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26 Comments

  1. So glad to have you featured at Happiness is Homemade this week! I am in love with this idea! While I don’t have dogs, I do have a cat and this would be awesome for her. Great way to repurpose and make the critters comfy

    Reply
  2. I so love recycle project that turn into such beautiful and useful things like a dog bed! Just precious! Thank you so much for sharing at my craft party on Thursday! Would love to see your newest posts this week, which starts at 7pm EST.

    Reply
  3. I love repurposed projects and I love my dog, Lila. You can imagine how much I adore your dog bed project. I’ve been contemplating making Lila a dog bed but hadn’t been inspired. You’ve just inspired me with this ucycled suitcase. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party.

    Reply

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