It’s finally the weekend, and you noticed that your cats need some new beds. In a moment of genius, you’ve decided it’s time to break out your DIY skills, to learn how to make a cat bunk bed. Space is tight in your tiny apartment, and a bunk bed is an ideal solution for saving space, while giving your felines a luxurious place to lay their heads.
It’s a great idea, but how does one build a cat bunk bed that will become your furry felines’ ideal bed? The good news is that there are several different types of DIY cat beds to choose from—so, no matter what your skill level is, we’ve got the right plan for you below.
The 4 DIY Cat Bunk Bed Plans
1. DIY Crate Cat Bunk Beds
| Materials: | 2 wooden crates, 2 cushions, wood stain, ¼” wooden dowel |
| Tools: | Wood glue, sandpaper, steel wool, stain brush, drill, hammer, saw, measuring tape, drop cloth |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
This first DIY cat bunk bed is made with items you can easily purchase at your local craft store. Many DIYers are already familiar with the wooden crates available at just about every craft store because of their versatility. Crates can be used for holding craft projects, but have also been used as the base for coffee tables, hall benches, and more. If you have a couple laying around the house, you can get started on this project right away!
The plans for this bunk bed are written simply, and are easy to follow. So, you’ll have a great-looking new bed for your cat in no time. Some familiarity with tools is needed for this project; for example, knowing how to drill a hole through wood without injuring yourself will be a useful skill. That’s the toughest part of this project, though, so if you can do that, you’ll be all set.
If you’re not a fan of stained wood, you can choose a neutral or brightly colored wood for your cat bunk beds. If you want to get fancy, you can add some stencils or decals, so your cats’ beds can sparkle just like their personalities.
2. DIY IKEA Doll Bed Bunk Beds
| Materials: | IKEA doll beds, doll bedding |
| Tools: | Screw driver, wood screws and mending plates |
| Difficulty Level: | Beginner |
If you’re looking for the easiest way to make cat bunk beds, use this DIY IKEA doll bed idea. This simple plan involves using IKEA’s DUKTIG doll beds to stack on top of one another to create the bunk beds. Simply attach them using metal mending plates and screws. Your cats will love their human-like bunk beds. Or then again, maybe they won’t—you never know with cats.
The DUKTIG comes with bedding for the doll beds, which can be used by your cats. If your cats already have favorite cushions or blankets that will fit on the bed, go ahead and add them to encourage your cats’ curiosity about the bunk bed.
3. DIY Suitcase Cat Bunk Bed
| Materials: | 3 vintage suitcases, 4 stair spindles, 4 bun-feet, 4 table leg hardware packages, 8 dowel screws, 8 5/6” nuts, 8 5/16” washers, pillows, blankets |
| Tools: | Drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
If you have some old, forgotten suitcases hanging out in your attic gathering dust, this DIY cat bunk bed will give new life to those abandoned suitcases. This project will require a trip to the hardware store to get some of the materials needed, but the finished product is worth the time and expense.
Paige Hemmis of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is the creative genius behind these suitcase bunk beds. The instructions are simple and easy to follow, but she does recommend old wooden or hard-sided suitcases as the best type of suitcase to make these beds. When the beds are complete, you can add pillows or blankets to entice your kitties to use the beds.
Whether you use vintage wooden suitcases, or something more modern, you’re sure to have a statement DIY cat bunk bed that your friends will be talking about for quite a while (whether that’s a good thing or not depends on your friends).
4. DIY Homemade Bunk Beds
| Materials: | 1″ x 4″ x 8′ select pine board, 1″ x 3″ x 8′ select pine board, 1.5″ 0.25″ x 8′ pine lath, 1″ x 2″ x 8′ select pine board, 1″ x 2″ x 6′ select pine board, 16 2″ mending plates, 8 zinc corner brackets, 96 #6 – 5/8″ wood screws, 14 #6 – 1.5″ wood screws, 16 1″ 16-gauge #6 nails, pillows, wood stain, stain brush |
| Tools: | Saw, drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Advanced Intermediate |
You’ll need to break out your carpentry skills for this DIY homemade cat bunk bed. To make this bed, you’ll need to head to your closest hardware and lumber supply store to purchase the wood, mending plates, corner brackets, and various screws.
This project requires a fair amount of work, but the finished result is worth the effort. The DIYer provides detailed instructions and photographs of every step of the process, so you can easily follow along. Don’t forget to measure twice and cut once when you’re working on this project, so you don’t have to make another run to the hardware store.
One of the best parts of this DIY bunk bed is that you can customize it however you want. You can choose whatever stain or paint color that goes best with your décor, so your cats’ beds can mirror your living room aesthetic. Or, you can get creative and break out the stencils to add decorative elements after you’ve painted the beds. Finally, add pillows or blankets, and spread a little catnip to encourage your cats to use the new bunk bed you just spent hours creating just for them.
Final Thoughts
Dusting your DIY skills off to tackle one of these bunk bed projects, to give your cats a life of luxury in your tiny apartment, is an excellent way to spend your Saturday afternoon. If it turns out that your cats prefer hammocks, after you spent all that time making them a bunk bed, we have some DIY hammock options available as well. Hopefully, no matter which of these DIY cat bunk beds you choose to do, you’ll be proud to show off this finished bunk bed to your cats at the end of the day.
Featured Image Courtesy: Shutterstock
