Your golden retriever is adorable, but the big metal crate sitting in your living room is not.
Mine used to stick out like a sore thumb in my space. Every time I spent a weekend putting together a Pinterest board full of warm, cozy rooms, I would look over and there it was. That cold, cage-looking thing wrecking the vibe.
It is gut-wrenching to try and hide it in another room. We are not that cruel to our babies.
You don’t have to choose between your dog and your decor. Dog kennel furniture DIY projects are having a moment right now and some of them are better than the actual furniture.
Adore your pooch as much as we do? This list of 10 dog house designs is the perfect way to give your pup a cozy home base and bring Pinterest to your living room.
#1: DIY Dog Harness Organizer Wall Rack (The “Never Walk Alone” Station)
You know what I’m talking about. That moment when you have to grab your dog’s leash and it’s tangled with her harness, underneath all sorts of other things by the front door. Every. Single. Time.
This wall rack fixes that chaos completely.
Materials & Tools You’ll Need:
– 1 wooden plank (approximately 12″ x 6″, stained walnut finish)
– 3 black metal double-prong hooks
– White acrylic paint or vinyl decal for lettering
– Dog bone stencil (printable free online)
– Wood stain in medium brown
– Sandpaper (120-grit), drill, screws, level
Instructions
Sand the plank until it is smooth. Apply two coats of walnut stain and let each coat dry for 30 minutes before touching it.
Once they are dry, center your bone stencil on the area you wish to apply it and trace the outline with a black permanent marker. Then I filled it in with white acrylic paint, a flat brush makes the best edge, and it looks cleaner to do a few thin layers than one big glob. Lastly I added the words inside my bone stencil.
Flip the board over and mark three evenly-spaced hook positions. Pre-drill holes so the wood doesn’t split. Mount the black metal hooks with screws. Attach the rack to your wall studs.
I like having 3 hooks. That way, I can put a harness on each one of the horses. That way, in the morning, I just have to grab a harness and go. – Allison P., Cache, OK.
If your girl is a service dog in training, it may be helpful to have the harnesses clearly labelled as either “In Training” or “Service Dog” so you can easily grab the right one.
great job!! love the lettering – very simple – cursive and block caps look great from a distance.
Prep Time: 15 min | Active Project Time: 1.5 hours | Difficulty Level: Beginner
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @abel_el_jibaro
#2: Built-In Dog Kennel with Shiplap Accent Wall and Bookcase — A DIY That Actually Looks Like Furniture
Your golden is finally chill after her morning zoomies and you watch her do that little circle-spin thing before flopping down in the middle of the living room. There is no good spot for her. The plastic crate by the couch looks like a prison next to your Pinterest board, and you deserve better than that.
This built-in solves exactly that.
Materials & Tools
– 3/4″ MDF or plywood for cabinet frames and shelving
– 1×4 and 1×6 pine boards for the geometric accent panel
– Dark walnut stain (Minwax Dark Walnut 2716) for shelf tops and cabinet countertops
– Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron paint for the accent wall panel
– White semi-gloss cabinet paint (Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace works great)
– Black sliding barn door hardware kit (center kennel doors)
– Vertical slat bars or metal spindles for kennel door panels
– Crown molding and decorative pilasters
– Recessed LED strip lighting (inside kennel)
– Pocket hole jig, miter saw, brad nailer, drill, level, sandpaper
Prep Time: 2–3 hours | Active Project Time: 2–3 weekends | Difficulty Level: Intermediate–Advanced
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Instructions
Start by building two base cabinet boxes using 3/4” plywood. The boxes should be about 36” tall x 18” deep. Cut out your pieces, join the sides, top and bottom using pocket hole screws, then screw the whole thing to the wall studs. This is where most people get lazy, and just throw it up on the wall. Don’t! Take your time to get a level base and it will save you so much trouble later on.
The center kennel section sits between the two cabinets, but you can build it as its own box and leave the front open for the sliding barn door hardware. I mounted my black barn door rail across the entire front of the kennel and then added two slatted panels (the vertical bars keep the room airy so that the dog can see the room instead of a wall) in the front so that the dog won’t get anxious while sitting in the kennel and begin to whine while you are watching TV.
Common mistake: We skipped the recessed LED strip inside the kennel. Instead, we decided on a warm light strip along the back interior to make it feel cozier, not punishing.
Next, I made my center accent panel. I cut the 1×4 pine boards at 45-degrees and laid them in a diamond on diamond pattern right on top of the painted MDF backer board and glued and pin-nailed each piece down. Then I painted the panel with Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron. With the dark color and in a layered pattern I was hoping the panel would draw your eye away from the kennel door and focus on the art work.
Put a 1.5″ thick walnut-stained hardwood slab on top of every cabinet. Finish it with sandpaper to 220 grit and put on two coats of polyurethane, then let it dry completely before using it. Add open shelves on the side of both flanking bookcase towers. Stagger the heights of the shelves to break up the symmetry and give you some room to decorate.
Finish it off with a little crown molding across the top of the whole unit. Paint it white to match the cabinets, and it will look like it was always there.
Paint the wall in a soft gray (I used something close to Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray) to make the panel with a dark accent pop without feeling heavy.
I always try to seal the wood surfaces surrounding my dog’s space. However, the polyurethane needs to cure for at least 72 hours before letting her sleep inside as the fresh fumes irritate their noses something fierce. If she’s a chewer, I try to apply a small amount of bitter apple spray to the bottom of the cabinet edges so she doesn’t chew them when she gets bored.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @alteredgraindesign
#3: The Double-Door Dog Kennel Coffee Table (That Looks Like Real Furniture)
You know that moment when your golden retriever decides that the living room floor just isn’t cutting it and she decides to wedge herself under your coffee table? Yeah, that ends here.
This build is solid poplar wood, but with a butcher block top in natural maple. This looks like something straight off a Pinterest board, not a pet store shelf.
Materials & Tools You’ll Need:
– ¾” poplar plywood (for the main frame)
– Natural maple butcher block (for the top surface)
– Wooden dowel rods (for the upper ventilation bars)
– Two glass-panel cabinet doors with black metal latch hardware
– Wood glue, sandpaper (120 + 220 grit), brad nailer, circular saw, drill
Instructions
Cut two side panels, a back panel, and a base for the floor. The center panel will also have a divider in it to create a double bay kennel. One side locks to the glass doors and the other side remains open as a sort of den that your dog can slip into whenever she likes.
Attach the bottom, then nail the side panels flush. Sand the sides prior to assembly, as poplar is a forgiving material, as long as you sand it properly.
I installed the rods on the top of the kennel so that they are horizontal. My dog stays cooler and calmer because she has better airflow. It also keeps her from being anxious while sleeping, which is when she is most likely to scratch at the door.
The butcher block top hangs over the sides about 1 inch. I sealed it with food-safe mineral oil.
Check out 12 Creative Outdoor Dog Kennel Ideas for Your Furry Friend for more creative outdoor ideas.
Prep Time: 30 min | Active Project Time: 6–8 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Sand the dowel rods, separately, before using them. Doing so will save you 20 minutes of awkward hand-sanding in tight corners.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @maplestreetwoodworking
#4: Build a Built-In Dog Kennel Under Your RV Daybed
You know that moment when your dog is sprawled across the entire back seat of the RV, and you’re basically sitting on two inches of cushion, wishing you didn’t? Been there with my dog, and I can tell you that’s not a good feeling.
This build transforms the wasted space under a daybed into a wood-framed dog kennel with white-painted vertical slats and a black hardware latch door, which turns it into furniture, with a dog inside.
Materials & Tools
– 2×4 pine lumber (frame)
– 1×2 poplar or pine strips (vertical slats)
– Cabinet-grade plywood (base and top panel)
– White semi-gloss paint
– Black iron latch hardware
– Miter saw, drill, wood screws, sandpaper (120-grit)
Instructions
Cut the 2×4’s into a rectangular frame for the bottom of the kennel, this will give your dog a solid floor to stand on. sand every edge before assembly so splinters wont be a problem in the kennel.
Attach the 1×2 slat strips vertically to the front face of the kennel. space the strips 3 inches apart. this allows the dog to get air and feel more comfortable that there isn’t a gap for it to escape from. the sides and top are plywood panels. this helps it to feel like furniture rather than a cage.
2. Paint the entire thing with two coats of white semi-gloss. Attach the black iron latch to the door panel. It will make your dog feel like they are in their own den and reduce anxiety when you are gone. You can have your entire seat back!
A weekend can build a calm doggy den and give you the most Pinterest worthy daybed of all time!
Add a gray fitted cushion to the top and you have a neat little project! If you love these kinds of projects, you’ve definitely got to check out 13 Genius DIY Dog Stuff Every Pet Parent Needs to Try Today! too!
measure your space before you cut anything…RV walls are angle weird and a quarter inch off can throw your whole frame.
Prep Time: 30 min | Active Project Time: 6-8 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @musing_mandy
#5: Build a Designer Dog Crate End Table (The Two-Dog Hideaway)
Your golden poop machine always takes the biggest dump right in the middle of your living room, and your Pinterest mood board is now just a distant memory. Ours did too until I stopped fighting it, and built her a spot that she would actually be comfortable in.
This wooden crate end table is the move.
Prep Time: 30 min | Active Project Time: 4–6 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Materials & Tools:
– 3/4″ maple plywood (two 24″x24″ side panels, one 24″x28″ top panel)
– 1″ x 1.5″ maple dowels (cut to 18″ lengths, approximately 12–14 pieces)
– Two 14″ drawer slides (metal, silver finish)
– One shallow pull-out shelf board (22″x14″ maple plywood)
– Wood glue + 1.5″ brad nails
– 220-grit sandpaper
– Natural wood stain (light ash finish)
– Drill, miter saw, tape measure
Instructions
Cut the maple plywood into the top, bottom, and two side panels. Sand every edge of the plywood with 220-grit sandpaper before assembling the crate. If there are rough edges inside the crate, they will snag the dog’s fur. And, your golden will know.
Drill two evenly-spaced holes in each side panel for your dowels, spacing them 2″ apart. With the holes, the slatted wall design provides air flow and visibility. Your dog will feel more comfortable being in the room with you rather than being locked away in a small space.
I attached the dowels to the panel with wood glue. I also drove brad nails through the back of the panel to attach the dowels. Once the glue dries (let it dry for a few hours), you can remove the clamps.
Mount your 14″ drawer slides at mid-height on both side walls of the interior. Your pull-out shelf now becomes a charging station or laptop tray – the benefit of having hidden storage in the furniture will mean that your end table will also actually function as one.
Attach the top panel flush on the front edge. Paint everything with the light ash stain. We also added a cushion bed, placed a round tray and two vases on the top, and that’s all!
Seal the interior with a water resistant topcoat. The golden retrievers tend to drool, splash, and track mud. Unsealed maple will absorb all of it.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @parkerandcodogs
#6: DIY Seasonal Dog Kennel With Fall Décor (The “Coco Starr” Setup)
Prep Time: 1 hour | Active Project Time: 3–4 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
You might be thinking “oh she has golden retriever who drags muddy paws on my living room rug after I just did a cute corner”… well that’s why this project hit me so hard!
This is all giving me major #fallgoals vibes. A white wood-frame indoor dog kennel, adorned with a faux autumn leaf garland, crocheted pumpkins in rust, green and coral, and a cute black bone shaped name sign on top. Inside is a white faux-fur rug, a framed dog portrait, and a mini “FALL” pumpkin banner along the front edge.
Materials & Tools:
– White-painted MDF or pine wood panels (pre-cut to your dog’s size)
– Black acrylic paint + fine brush for the name sign
– Faux autumn leaf garland (6–8 feet)
– Crocheted or foam mini pumpkins (mix of 3–4 sizes)
– White faux-fur throw (approx. 24″ x 36″)
– A 4×6 black frame for a custom pet portrait print
– Small “FALL” wood banner
– Wood screws, drill, sandpaper (120-grit)
– Hot glue gun
Instructions
Cut the MDF panels into two side triangles, a back rectangle, and a front piece that has an open doorway. Sand every edge of the pieces to remove any rough edges — people and animals can get a bit curious and sniff the wood. Attach the frame to the back rectangle with 1.5-inch wood screws, pre-drilling each hole to avoid splitting the wood.
First, I painted the entire frame two coats of white. Then I let it dry. I painted my sign piece (which was bone shaped) black and hand-lettered my dog’s name in white with a foam brush. It actually looked better than I thought it would.
Once dry, attach the name sign to the roof line using small L-brackets. Wrap your leaf garland around the roofline from one side, looping it over the top and hot glueing it in three places. Pop in your crocheted pumpkins (which, because they are crocheted rather than made out of foam, weigh much less than the pumpkins) and your roofline will not flop over!
Start with the faux-fur throw in the bottom, then place the framed picture towards the back. My mini “FALL” pumpkins will be lining the front entrance. I’d like to get my dog a comfy den spot, hopefully, with the enclosed frame, it will cut out some noise and make her feel a little more secure, which I think will help when it comes to her zoomies around my freshly vacuumed floor.
When we change out the seasonal garlands we have in our kennel I get really excited. For instance we recently changed out our fairy lights from winter to spring and I am so excited for my little puppy to come home to this.
One thing to remember: If your golden is a chewer, hot glue all the décor pieces under (so she can’t pick at the edges).
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @lil_coco_starr
#7: DIY Striped Pet Bed With Cozy Blanket Nook (The One Your Golden Will Refuse to Leave)
Know that moment when your golden just flops down into a pile on the living room floor and drags their blanket into a messy nest? Yep, mine did this every afternoon and I would be so anxious about the floor every time someone came over.
This DIY is exactly what you need.
Prep Time: 30 min | Active Project Time: 2–3 hours | Difficulty Level: Beginner-Friendly
Materials & Tools:
– 3 yards of outdoor canvas fabric (navy, orange, white, yellow stripes)
– 2 lbs of polyester fiberfill or memory foam offcuts
– 1 argyle knit blanket (blue and yellow — thrifted works perfectly)
– Sewing machine or heavy-duty fabric glue
– Size 16 upholstery needle + matching thread
– Fabric scissors and pins
Instructions
Cut the canvas into two rectangles measuring 28″ x 36″. With wrong sides together, pin them together and stitch around three edges with a 1/2″ seam allowance, leaving one short end open. Turn the canvas right side out. The stripes will really stand out.
Stuff it (firmly) with the fiberfill. A bed packed down stays in place even if she circles it seventeen times before lying down. Hand stitch the open end shut using a ladder stitch so there are no seams to catch the nails.
Tuck the argyle blanket loosely over one corner. This gives your dog a nice “burrow” type feeling, and helps to eliminate the restless settling behavior.
I like that the cotton canvas wipes clean in seconds and the foam stays lofty for months. And your living room will actually look like one of those Pinterest boards you’ve been saving for forever. For some other floor level coziness ideas, check out 7 Cozy DIY Dog Beds for Large Dogs!
Wash the blanket layer weekly and spot clean the canvas shell. If your golden starts hogging it before you’re even done sewing, same. Same.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @arijitmandal_
#8: DIY Laser-Cut Leaf Pattern Dog Kennel Console — The Statement Piece Your Living Room’s Been Missing
Your dog’s golden finally asleep and the giant plastic crate in your living room is still screaming at you. Every guest looks right at it. You’ve pinned a hundred “hidden dog kennel” ideas and none of them felt right.
This one’s different.
– ¾-inch MDF board (brown-stained or walnut-toned) – Laser cutter or CNC router (most local makerspaces rent these by the hour) – Wood stain in warm chestnut or cognac brown – Slot-joint connectors (no screws required) – Sandpaper, 120-grit and 220-grit – Wood sealant spray
Instructions
Start by designing your leaf cutout panels in a vector program such as Inkscape. For the look I was going for, I made my leaves in an organic, irregular shape so that they wouldn’t look so stiff. Cut out two side panels, two front door panels, one back panel and a top surface from your ¾-inch MDF.
Sand all panels with 120-grit sandpaper first. Then sand the panels again with 220-grit sandpaper until they feel smooth to the touch against your dog’s fur. Apply two coats of chestnut stain and let each coat dry.
The slot-joint system is also responsible for how easy it is to put the whole thing together: with tabs that interlock, there’s no need for nails. The result is a sturdy structure that’s sturdy enough to double as a side console, which makes your living room look intentional, not makeshift.
These two seperate kennel bays give your bigger dog, like your golden, his own den area. And the flat top can hold a tray or your décor.
Keep the interior of the floor lined with a washable canvas mat. This makes cleanup much easier after muddy walks.
⏱ Prep Time: 2 hours | Active Project Time: 6–8 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @dogplayfurniture
#9: DIY Dog Kennel End Table With a Slatted Wood Door (That Actually Looks Like Real Furniture)
The Golden Retriever lying across the living room floor, that you trip over, again, trying to get to the couch? The wire crate sitting out in the open, looking like a cage that someone forgot to hide before the in-laws came over?
yeah…. i’ve been there with my cousins dog and i couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Prep Time: 1 hour | Active Project Time: 6–8 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Materials & Tools:
– 2×4 pine boards (frame structure)
– 1×3 pine boards (vertical slats)
– ¾-inch plywood sheet (top panel)
– Black iron hinges (x3 for the door)
– Black iron latch/hook (door closure)
– Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit)
– Gray chalk paint or weathered wood stain
– Dark walnut stain (for the top)
– Wood glue + 2-inch pocket screws
– Kreg Jig (pocket hole jig)
– Circular saw or miter saw
– Paint brushes + lint-free rags
### Instructions
Start by cutting your 2×4 pine boards into four corner posts that are 28 inches tall. These posts will be what is supporting the entire length of your window and so make sure your cuts are square or you will be fighting an uneven frame when it comes time to attach the top.
Build the bottom frame (rectangular) with 1×4 boards running the length of the bottom. Screw these to the corner posts using pocket screws, and also add a dab of wood glue to the joint so it won’t wiggle. Your dog will have a very stable floor, and the cold of the tile floor won’t be able to creep up through the thin metal pan.
Cut the 1×3 slats to fill the side panels. Space them at 1.5 inches apart from each other. I did this because I don’t want the side panels to be really close to my dog’s paws, but I don’t want her to be able to fit her paw between them either. Attach each slat to the panels with two pocket screws top and bottom.
It is the front door that is the personality of the small dog crate. Cut a frame opening in the front with 1×3 boards to match the side panels and add vertical slats to match the side panels. Attach your three black iron hinges to one side. With the slatted door, your dog can see out and feel part of the room, which lessens the anxious whining.
For the top, cut your ¾-inch plywood to overhang the frame by about ¾ inch on each side. Apply dark walnut stain and let it dry between two coats. That two-tone gray / dark finish is what gives it the look of a piece you bought, not one you built.
Sand everything with 220-grit before the final coat of paint. Apply gray chalk paint in thin layers and dry-brush a second coat so that the grain shows through a bit. It gives it the farmhouse feel you see in the photo.
Attach the black iron latch to the center of the door frame. The little details, like the black hardware against the weathered gray wood, are what make this.
Once assembled, I tuck a washable crate mat inside and place the kennel next to the couch. I like to place a lamp or a plant on the flat ¾ inch plywood top. (or whatever is on my Pinterest board that month, ha!) The kennel “earns” its space on the floor as an end table, not just a dog box I tolerate in my living room.
Keep this in mind: I used chalk paint. It scratches easier than latex, so I sealed the entire piece with a matte polycrylic topcoat. Two very light coats. The golden’s nose has been bumping the door every morning, and he will appreciate it.
And if you’re already on a roll and building things for your pup, the 7 Creative Ideas for Your DIY Dog Washing Station pairs so well with a setup like this especially if your pup has mud from head to toe.
As a rule, score the back of each slat lightly with sandpaper before gluing. The score will provide a better “grip” for the glue. Also, be sure to pre-drill the screw holes near the end of the slats to avoid splitting the wood.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thenerdybuilder
#10: The Console Table Dog Kennel That Makes Your Living Room Look Like a Pinterest Board
Your dog just slithered her fluffy body across your freshly vacuumed rug and decided to take a seat in the middle of the entryway. She’s adorable, but she needs her own spot. One that doesn’t make your home look like a pet store just exploded.
This build is exactly that spot.
Materials & Tools You’ll Need:
– 3/4-inch birch plywood (for the top panel, base panel, and two side posts)
– Oak veneer strips for wrapping the plywood edges
– 3/4-inch diameter white metal rods (cut to 18 inches each — you’ll need about 12)
– Wood stain in a warm walnut tone
– Wood glue + 1.5-inch wood screws
– 3/4-inch drill bit for rod holes
– Sandpaper (120-grit, then 220-grit)
– Miter saw, drill press, orbital sander
Instructions
Then cut your plywood into two pieces that are 48 x 14-inch for the top and bottom and two pieces of 28 x 14-inch for the side posts. Sand the whole thing with 120-grit sandpaper then sand again with 220-grit sandpaper until the edges feel like butter.
Apply your oak veneer tape to all of the exposed plywood edges to separate you from the “did a designer do this?” moment and give it a cleaner, more polished look.
Now, drill your rod holes. We will be marking 3-inch intervals along the top and bottom panels of the frame. Drill 3/4-inch holes, 1/2-inch deep. You will want to be consistent with how you drill the holes. I recommend using a drill press rather than a handheld drill. I made the mistake of drilling these by hand once and spent all afternoon fixing a wobbly front panel.
Apply walnut stain to all pieces of wood with a lint free cloth. Let dry for 24 hours. Apply a clear polyurethane over the stain to avoid scratches. (Golden retrievers slobber a lot.)
Add your side posts to the top and bottom panels with wood glue and 1.5-inch screws (pre-drill to avoid splitting). Press the white metal rods into their holes with a small dab of glue at each end. The contrast of the white rods against the walnut wood is “chef’s kiss” and makes this look high-end.
I dropped a fluffy sheepskin pad into the space and my dog gets a cozy, den-like space that actually calms her nervous system. She can see me, but feels safe enough because it’s enclosed. It makes for a great console table, too! And it makes our entry look beautiful!
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Active Project Time: 6–8 hours | Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Stain the wood a shade or two darker than you think you might need, because the pictures on the computer always make the wood look much lighter. Also, if your dog is a chewer, you can add a thin bead of clear epoxy around the base of the rod before it dries, to hold it in place better.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thepawsroom_dogcratefurniture
The One Measurement Mistake That Ruins Most DIY Dog Kennels
most people, when making a kennel, they use the height of their dog standing up. that is not a good idea. If the dog has to bend to get inside the kennel, it is more difficult for the dog to get inside.
Dogs sleep curled up. Or sprawled out. And my cousin built a wonderful, big, farmhouse-style kennel for her lab that she couldn’t turn around in comfortably. Because she built it for “standing Biscuit,” not “doing-a-full-360 Biscuit.”
One of the secrets is to measure your horse’s diagonal body length while she is doing her full stretch on your floor (you know the one). Add 6-8 inches to that number. That’s the interior dimension.
I would not use pine for the frame. It can dent and warp easily with moisture and I can almost bet you your dog’s breath will warp it in just a year.
Quick note: Say you’re wanting to build a dog corner in your home anyway, you might as well throw a 7 Creative Dog Feeding Station DIY Ideas into the mix to make the room look Pinterest-perfect.
Your golden deserves a space built around her actual body, not around a best guess.
Your Golden’s Comfort Starts With One Small Change
Stop putting it off. Your dog deserves a spot that feels like theirs — not just the corner of your couch they plopped themselves down on.
Pick one of these ideas and put it together this weekend when he’s napping next to you, and he’ll start making those little sleep run movements. I’m sure it’ll feel good to watch him use something you made for him.
It’s no secret that a happy dog makes for a happy home. While you may think that a Pinterest-worthy home will never be a reality for you and your dog, rest assured that you can have a beautiful home, as well as a happy dog.
So, what are you building for your pup first?
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.
