It happened again. Your dog’s water bowl went skidding across the kitchen floor and this time half of your Pinterest-worthy tile grout went with it.
Man I feel your pain. My cousin’s lab mix always made meals a full contact sport every day. Water everywhere. Kibble scattered. Her kitchen just felt so different.
And we are not just talking about the mess here. The bowls look out of place sitting on your floors right? You worked so hard on the space! Your golden deserves better and so do you!
I know the perfect diy dog bowl stand. Not only does it hold your dog bowls in place but it looks like something you would actually pin!
The following 7 Ideas are things that you can accomplish over a weekend. Some of these ideas cost next to nothing.
#1: DIY Elevated Dog Bowl Stand (Dark Stain Wood)
So my golden is scarfing down her dinner so fast the bowl is sliding halfway across the kitchen floor. I’m just standing there watching it happen again.
This pine wood elevated bowl stand is the fix you didn’t know you needed.
Materials & Tools:
– 1×6 pine boards (approximately 24 inches total length)
– Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner (visible in the image)
– Dark wood stain — the build uses what looks like Minwax Dark Walnut
– Wood glue + 1.5-inch pocket screws
– 2.5-inch hole saw drill bit for bowl openings
– Sandpaper (120-grit, then 220-grit)
– Miter saw, drill, clamps
Instructions
Cut the pine boards into two identical trapezoid side panels (wider at the bottom than the top, for that modern look). Cut a flat top piece and a base piece to match the side panels.
Sand everything with 120 grit first, then use 220 grit. Apply Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner before staining. This will help keep the pine from blotching. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe it off.
Cut your 2 bowl holes with the 2.5″ hole saw in the middle of the top panel. Space these about 4″ apart so there is solid wood between each bowl.
You can make this pretty feeding station by gluing and screwing the sides on using a pocket hole jig and using the screws as well. The angled sides on both ends attach to the top and bottom. The open bottom isn’t just pretty, it’s also beneficial for your goldens health. The lower elevation means she doesn’t have to bend her neck down as far. Also by feeding them at an elevated height, it helps their posture and backs, and hopefully not so many aches after meals.
Apply two coats of dark stain and let dry 24 hours between coats.
I used stain with the grain of the wood with a lint free cloth and that gives the nice even coverage you see in the photo. The pine gave me trouble as a brush leaves streaks in the grain.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Active Project Time: 3–4 hours | Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @aevilleneuve
#2: Walnut Wood Double Dog Bowl Stand (CNC-Cut Raised Feeder)
This is one of those mornings that I absolutely love when my golden has inhaled her dinner so fast that the bowl slid halfway across the kitchen floor. And then there’s the drool trail. Everywhere. So, let’s see how we can solve that problem.
This walnut feeder stand looks like something straight off your Pinterest board and is quite possibly the most satisfying thing I’ve ever built.
Materials & Tools
– ¾-inch thick black walnut hardwood board (approximately 18″ x 10″)
– CNC router or jigsaw with a circle-cutting jig
– Two circular cutouts sized to 5-inch diameter (fits standard medium dog bowls)
– Sandpaper: 120-grit, then 220-grit
– Food-safe walnut oil or beeswax finish
– Wood clamps and measuring tape
Instructions
Start by cutting the walnut board down to 18″ x 10″. Then mark the center of your two circles, spacing them 5 inches apart from each other’s edge. The middle “bridge” is what makes it look like a figure eight.
Cut out both circles using your cnc machine or a jigsaw. Then cut four small 1-inch tall feet from the remaining walnut and glue them on the corners. This will raise the stand up just enough to prevent strain on your pup’s neck. This will add to their comfort while eating and will really payoff for larger breeds over time.
start with 120-grit sandpaper and finish with 220. wipe it down with food-safe walnut oil to pull out that deep dark chocolate grain.
Sand with the grain of the paper near the circle edges. Brushing against the grain creates micro-tears which can hold food residue.
Prep Time: 20 min | Active Project Time: 2 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
And if you’re in the mood, check out 13 Genius DIY Dog Stuff Every Pet Parent Needs to Try Today! for some fun projects to try.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @bain_made_studio
#3: Elevated Farmhouse Dog Bowl Stand With a Cross-Base Pedestal
Isn’t it annoying when your pet’s food bowl slides halfway across the floor while you’re trying to feed him, and he tries to do a split just to reach it? Well, we are going to fix this today.
How stunning is this? Dark walnut stain. Cross-brace pedestal base and two stainless steel bowls that fit flush into the top. Straight off your Pinterest board people. I’d have never made it in a weekend workshop.
Materials & Tools:
– 2×4 pine lumber (approximately 8 feet total)
– 1×6 poplar board for the tabletop (24 inches long)
– Two 6-inch stainless steel dog bowls
– Dark walnut wood stain
– Wood glue + 2-inch pocket screws
– Jigsaw, drill, pocket hole jig, sandpaper (120-grit and 220-grit)
Instructions
Cut your 2×4’s into four 14-inch vertical legs and eight 6-inch diagonal cross pieces. Sand everything with 120-grit first, then finish with 220-grit. The smooth surface will help the stain soak in evenly.
assemble each side of the pedestal by gluing and screwing the diagonal cross-braces between the two vertical legs and letting that dry (completely) before attaching the two pedestal sides together with the horizontal stretchers at the top and bottom.
Once the bowls have been cut out of the bowls you will need to place them on the 1×6 board and trace circles. Cut those circles out with a jigsaw (slow and easy on the curves). The bowls should drop into the holes and rest on the rim of the bowl without slipping.
Apply two coats of dark walnut stain, allowing each coat to dry 24 hours before dropping your bowl in.
One of the great features of the raised height is that it keeps your horse’s neck at a comfortable angle so that he/she will not strain his/her neck. This in turn allows him/her to digest his/her food much easier!
Keep this in mind: leave a tiny gap between your bowl cutout and the bowl rim. easier to clean when you just lift and rinse.
If you enjoy building things for your puppy, then 14 Creative DIY Elevated Dog Bed Ideas You’ll Love will keep you busy next weekend.
Prep Time: 30 min | Active Project Time: 3–4 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @makingwooddust
#4: The Walnut Cabinet Dog Feeding Station (With Hidden Storage!)
If you have ever tripped over the dog food bag again on your way to the coffee maker, you know what I mean.
This food station is made of solid walnut wood with a mid-century modern cabinet base and two stainless steel inset bowls. The cabinet doors swing open to hide your dog’s food, treats, or leashes – out of sight, completely out of sight!
-Materials & Tools: – 3/4″ walnut hardwood boards -approximately 24″ L x 10″ W x 12″ H for the cabinet body -Two 6-cup stainless steel dog bowls -Brass cabinet knobs (two) -Wood glue + pocket hole screws -Circular saw, drill, hole saw bit (large enough for your dog bowls) -Sandpaper (120 + 220 grit) -Walnut-toned wood stain or natural oil finish
Instructions
Cut the walnut boards to make the side panels, top, bottom and center divider for a rectangular box. Glue and screw the box together with pocket holes. The center divider creates 2 separate compartments in the cabinet so your kibble bag stays in one side and your leash gear in the other.
Sand the bottom starting with 120-grit and then finish with 220-grit for a buttery-smooth surface. Apply two coats of natural oil finish and let each coat dry before applying the next one. For this project, we chose to use walnut oil to create a darker brown color.
cut two holes into the top panel slightly smaller than the top of your bowl so that they are flush with the top. attach the cabinet doors with small hinges and add brass knobs centered on the door panel. (this is where the brass shows and makes it not just a pet accessory).
With large dogs, an elevated feeding position will help reduce neck strain. The 12″ height will allow your dog to be comfortable while eating, and so there will be less gulping.
Looking for something more affordable? Walnut may feel pricey to you, but white oak has similar grain. If you like to build furniture-style dog crates for your dog, these 14 Stylish DIY Dog Crate Furniture Ideas You’ll Love has some really gorgeous ideas to inspire you.
Make sure to seal the inside of the cabinet walls with a food-safe finish so that any spills can be wiped up quickly and easily.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Active Project Time: 4-5 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @noblefurnitureco
#5: The Trestle-Style Raised Dog Bowl Stand That Makes Your Kitchen Look Like a Pinterest Board
Have you ever seen your golden retriever finish drinking and then just walk away from the bowl, with water dripping everywhere as he walks away?
Yeah. Thats the moment to use this stand.
I’ve been in love with this solid oak trestle-style raised feeder for a little while now! My cousin had one made for her lab last winter, and I swear I thought it was a piece of furniture when I first saw it. The copper-tone bowls on either side of the stainless steel bowl are flanked by the natural oak finish. It would almost look intentional as a piece styled on a shelf!
Materials & Tools You’ll Need:
– 1x oak board (36″ x 10″ x 1.5″) for the top
– 2x oak boards (8″ x 8″ x 3.5″) for trestle base feet
– 2x oak corbel-cut side supports (10″ tall)
– 1x stretcher board (28″ x 3″ x 1″) for bottom brace
– Three bowl cutout holes (sized to your bowls — typically 6″ diameter)
– Wood glue + 2.5″ pocket screws
– Jigsaw, drill, pocket hole jig
– 150-grit and 220-grit sandpaper
– Food-safe polyurethane finish (satin)
– 2 copper hammered bowls + 1 stainless steel center bowl
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Active Project Time: 3–4 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Instructions
First, cut the oak top board to 36″. Mark three evenly spaced holes across the center. Space the outer holes about 6″ from each end, and center the middle hole right between them. Using a jigsaw, cut out the circles. Go slow with the curves on the bowls, as you don’t want the bowls to wobble, but you also don’t want a gap between the bowls so they don’t slide around during meal time, and you don’t want food to spill on your floor.
I prefer to sand the top board with 150-grit sandpaper first, then follow up with a few passes with 220-grit. Sand until the board feels glassy under your fingers. It matters. Rough grain will grab dirt and water like a sponge.
Cut the corbel-shaped side supports for your trestle legs. Cut the curved corner off the base of each using a jigsaw. Attach each support to its base foot with wood glue and pocket screws driven from underneath so the screws do not show from the front.
2. Connect both trestle assemblies with the stretcher board running along the bottom center. The stretcher board is what keeps the whole stand from racking sideways. With the weight of the raised feeders, big dogs like goldens put a lot of pressure on the stand from side to side daily, so don’t skip this piece.
Attach the finished top to the trestle base using wood glue and screws driven up from inside the trestle supports. Wipe off any squeeze-out with a damp cloth.
Apply 2 coats of food-safe polyurethane and let each coat dry before dropping your bowls in. Sit back, look at it and smile.
A raised feeder keeps your Golden’s neck at a comfortable angle for the duration of their meal. This reduces strain on the joints over time, and the 11″ height shown here is just right for medium to large breeds.
Sealing the wood with a third thin coat of polyurethane around the bowl holes will protect against the daily splashes of water for a much longer time.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @rusticera
#6: Burnt Wood Double Bowl Stand That Looks Like It Belongs on Pinterest
Your golden tracks are leading water from your dog’s bowl all the way across your kitchen floor. Every time. You’ve wiped up that same puddle at least 400 times this month.
The wood is burned with a torch to a burnt pine double bowl stand. The wood is given a torch-scorch finish to give it that dark, caramel-brown color as seen in the photo. There are two stainless steel bowls, recessed into the top of the stand so they do not slide or tip.
– 2×6 pine boards (enough for a 14″ x 8″ x 5″ tall frame) – Two stainless steel dog bowls (sized to your dog’s breed) – Wood glue + 1.5″ wood screws – Propane torch – 80-grit + 220-grit sandpaper – Hole saw drill bit (sized to your bowls) – Food-safe sealant or beeswax finish
Instructions
Cut the pine boards to length. You will need 2 long sides and 2 short end pieces. Glue and screw the boards together to form the frame. Attach small 2″ foot blocks underneath each corner to lift the stand off the floor.
Trace the rim of the bowl onto the top board. Then, drill through the marked circles with the hole saw. Make sure that the bowls will fit into the hole saw. Sand with 80-grit sandpaper, then with 220-grit sandpaper.
Now run the propane torch slowly over the whole surface of the log, in long strokes, and the wood will darken, the grain will pop out and it will start looking like the picture. Wipe off the ash with a dry cloth.
Give it a food-safe beeswax finish and raise the bowl for an easy drink for your golden. The recessed bowl in the other one keeps the water in the bowl rather than halfway across your kitchen.
Drop your bowls in. Done.
Looks intentional, but cute! I love the stand by the cozy DIY dog bed for large dogs if you’re making that corner over for her!
Let the sealant cure for a full 24 hours before first use. If the torch scorches in patches, hit those areas a second time. It’s OK if the char is a little uneven, it adds character.
⏱ Prep Time: 20 min | Active Project Time: 2–3 hours | Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @masontoolsnwood
#7: DIY Elevated Dog Bowl Stand With a Wooden X-Base (And It Looks Like It Belongs in a Magazine)
Then you know that moment when your cat is just demolishing his/her water bowl across the kitchen floor. He/she is eating and the bowl is traveling and you have mopped up the floor three times today.
The solid cherry wood raised stand is the answer.
– Cherry wood boards – 2 long planks for the X-base legs, 3 boards for the tray top – Wood stain in a warm mahogany tone – Wood glue + wood screws (1.5 inch) – Sandpaper (120-grit and 220-grit) – Saw, drill, measuring tape – 2 YETI Boomer 8 Dog Bowls in navy blue (the insulation keeps water cool longer… a huge deal in the summer).
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Active Project Time: 3–4 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
### Instructions
Cut the legs to a 45-degree angle on each end so that they cross each other to make an X. Sand it with the 120-grit sand paper and then finish with the 220-grit to get a smooth surface. Sand all sides before staining.
I put the top half of the X together by overlapping the two leg pairs at the center of the X and screwing through a pilot hole to avoid splitting the wood. I applied wood glue at the joint for extra hold.
I made my tray top by simply gluing the 3 pieces of wood together (side by side). I left just enough space between the pieces so that my bowls don’t slide. The raised edge along the lip of the tray (as seen in the photo) is just a little piece of wood, I glued there to keep the bowls from falling out. Elevated feeding prevents neck strain.
Apply two coats of stain and allow each to dry between coats.
My cousin built one of these last fall and his hardest part was getting the legs the same angle. A simple way to fix this is to cut both legs from the same board in one pass so the angles are the same.
Put it on top of a rubber-backed mat to protect your tile and catch any drips.
The cherry wood grain on those navy YETI bowls is really beautiful. And it’s functional too, that makes it even better when your kitchen corner doesn’t look like a disaster zone.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @samgreen_maker
The One Mistake That’ll Ruin Your DIY Dog Bowl Stand (And How to Skip It)
My real life. Okay, so here’s what no one tells you before you make your own dog bowl stand: Bowl diameter measurements lie.
Most people cut the hole in the bowl the same size as the top of the bowl. But I have found that this doesn’t usually work. Cut the hole in the bowl so it is a little smaller than the top of the bowl. The bowl will either fall straight through the hole or not sit right on the hole. If you cut the hole to the widest point of the bowl, then take away about half an inch, you will have a ledge that will hold everything.
I did this to my dog the first time I built it. I even took a whole Saturday and stained the wood. She dropped her bowl and it shattered on the wood floor.
The other thing is to seal the wood inside those bowl holes. Dogs are messy and water/kibble dust will collect at the top of the hole. Just two coats of food safe polyurethane inside the cut out should save you from having to rebuild this in 6 months.
If you’re already in the dog DIY phase, these creative ideas for outdoor dog washing stations go perfectly with the stand build.
Our golden will judge your craftsmanship. Build it right the first time.
Your Dog-Proof Home Starts This Weekend
You can pick one room. Any room. Change your rug, throw a slipcover on the couch, or finally buy that washable throw you’ve had pinned on Pinterest for the last year.
The small changes can seem so huge when a dog is still a stresser rather than just the one you want sprawled across your living room.
And if you’re already in that “let’s make this space work for both of us” mindset, you might even be ready to get inspired by the idea of a creative dog feeding station.
Which room in your house is your golden currently winning?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
