DIY Home Projects For Animal Lovers

For animal lovers, our two- and four-legged friends are more than pets, they're members of the family. And incorporating our pets into our homes is often a great way to personalize our homes and make our spaces more beautiful and functional for animals and humans alike. As we head into the new year, we share some DIY home projects for animal lovers.

1. DIY A Wooden Dog Kennel

If you have a dog, you know that a crate or kennel is a great place to keep your dog's bed and ensure that your pup has a great place to sleep, hang out, or stay safe. However, most wire crates are an unsightly addition to a living area or bedroom. To ensure your pooch has a safe, luxurious space that integrates into your home's decor, consider a DIY wooden kennel. 

A DIY dog bed can easily be upcycled from an existing piece of furniture, such as a TV stand, sideboard, or hutch. Ensure the cabinet is deep enough to accommodate a dog bed, and instead of solid or opaque doors, swap in doors with screen, bars, or chicken wire to keep your pet well supplied with fresh air. 

For a simpler option — or if your pup is prone to chewing wooden furniture — building a simple tabletop enclosure over a standard wire crate can be a great and easy solution. Measure your existing wire enclosure and use wood or melamine to build a simple side table around the dimensions of the wire cage. For those who enjoy Ikea hacks, a metal Tarendo table, some simple pieces of lattice, and a standard wire crate can be the building blocks of a stylish and safe crate enclosure that will keep your pup protected without ruining the look of your living room. Learn more here.

2. Create A Stylish Pet Bed That Isn't An Eyesore

Chances are, if you've got a furry friend, they've got at least one bed in your home, if not in every room. Unfortunately, most pet beds aren't the most inviting or stylish decor choice. With some simple DIY tricks you can create a modern, beautiful pet bed that will be as attractive to you as to your furry companion. 

An Ikea Kallax shelving unit turned on its side and with the center dividers removed can be transformed into a classic pet bed that fits any decor style. If your choices tend toward a more midcentury modern vibe, some plywood and hair pin legs can be used to build a custom, modern frame that can be built to suit any size pet bed. 

3. Create A Useful Place To Hang A Pet's Leash

If you're a dog owner, having a dedicated spot to store your leashes is a great way to battle clutter and make sure you're never left searching when it's time for an early morning walk. You can create a simple leash hanger with a piece of scrap wood, paint, and hanging hooks with hardware. Paint the board to match your home's decor, affix hooks, and hang on the wall near the door to provide a simple space to organize your dog's leash, collar, and any other necessary items for walk time. 

4. Enclose Cat Litter Boxes

One of the necessary, but least attractive, features of having feline companions are their litter boxes. Enclosing your cat's litter boxes can help to both hide unattractive plastic boxes and provide an additional tabletop surface to store necessities. 

Prefabricated box enclosures are available, or you can DIY or upcycle a cabinet or table to enclose your cat's private space. For a simple solution, a large rattan chest can be modified by cutting a door into one end and placing the box inside the chest. The simplicity of this solution also ensures that cleaning is easy, as the top of the chest simply lifts to allow the box to be cleaned. For shared spaces, modifying a bench with hinges or sliding doors can allow your cat's private space to be hidden away inside a dual-purpose piece of furniture that can be placed in an entryway or hallway.

5. Create Elevated Feeding Stations For Your Pets

If your pet likes to create a mess while eating, an elevated food and water station can provide a great way to keep food accessible while off the floor. If you're handy, you can use plywood and a saw to build a feeding station with storage areas that matches your home's decor. For those who want a simpler solution, upcycling a small cabinet by cutting holes in the top and adding wicker or rattan baskets for storage can be a stylish solution that suits small spaces.

Ready To Check Out New Spaces To Share With Your Pets?

The new year is a great opportunity to focus on DIY projects that make your life better. Ready to check out a new place with more room for your pets and all of their accessories? While it's hardly business as usual right now, we know that the Chicagoland real estate market is still strong. That's why your local Baird & Warner agent is with you at every step of the way, from finding the perfect home to connecting you with local experts in mortgage and title. The market is moving — and if you're ready, you can too.