Quick Project: This Cat Bed and Side Table is Super-Easy to Make!
If you are looking for a way to keep your feline friends off the furniture, this DIY cat bed is super-easy to make and very inexpensive.
04/03/2022
I came across this project on hunker.com and thought it a fantastic idea for a cat bed. Not only is it a cat bed, but it is also a side table for your lounge or a bedside table for a bedroom. The cat bed / side table is so easy to make, and you can buy all the materials and supplies to make your own at your local Builders store.
The cat bed / side table is made using laminated pine shelving for the top and bottom circles, [4] of 32mm (approximately) pine or meranti dowels and additional 12mm diameter dowels to fill in the gaps. Then all you have to do is make a comfy cushion - or two - and your new cat bed is ready for use.
I have come across hundreds of designs for both cat and dog beds, some are practical, and others are not. You ideally want something that would look good in your living room if your goal is to keep pets off the furniture, and that isn't always an easy project to find. This one ticks all the boxes for me and is definitely worth spending a bit of money on to make. If you want to use the cat bed as a dual-purpose piece of furniture, leave off the top cushion and use as a side table in the living room or a bedside table next to your bed. What a great idea!
YOU WILL NEED:
32mm or 21mm laminated pine shelving
32mm diameter pine or meranti dowels
12mm diameter pine or meranti dowels
Wood glue
Painter's tape
Tape measure and pencil
Safety gear
Choose the materials to use for this project based on your budget. The 32mm-thick pine gives the cat bed a chunky look while the 21mm pine is more affordable. OR you could always buy [2] pieces of 21mm for less than the 32mm and glue together.
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1
Set up in an area where you can work and put down newspaper or a drop cloth to protect flooring from glue drips and runs.
Step 2
Cut [2] circles to the size you want for the cat bed / side table. The one shown in this project is around 300mm in diameter, but you can make it smaller or larger if you prefer and depending on the size of your cat.
Step 3
Start by glueing the larger dowels at four equidistant points around the circle. Let the glue dry overnight before glueing the small dowels equally spaced between the larger dowels, remembering to leave an opening.
Step 4
Finishing the cat bed / side table is essential if you want to be able to keep it clean. A clear polyurethane sealer or varnish (or tinted if you prefer) is the best option, particularly if you plan on using the cat bed as a side table or bedside table.
If you are not a fan of pine, you can always substitute with Meranti, Saligna or other hardwood for a longer-lasting and better looking project.